Poblacion, El Salvador City---The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as it celebrates its 36th founding anniversary continues to implement widespread realization of agricultural advancement in the country for its farmer partners and on extension modernization, with the theme "Innovate, Transform, Empower: Embracing Extension Modernization for a Progressive and Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries".
Various activities were lined-up for the two-day celebration which include ATIng Parada, a Holy Mass, ribbon cutting for the Opening of LSA Bazaar (showcasing LS products) and e-Lounge, Launching of Bahandi NextGen Edition, Awarding of LSA Certificates and financial grants, Paalam, Pasalamat, Recognition of Exemplary Performance of ATI staff, LSA sharing of best practices and breakthroughs, and more.
“This year’s theme reminds me of how we have survived the past year’s unprecedented adversities, especially the pandemic that threatened lives of the many, and challenged significantly food sustainability and the agricultural system.
The pandemic ushered us to a new threshold. We took agriculture modernization at a whole new level. We became more daring and innovative in delivering our services. As digital acceleration reached the agri and fisheries sectors in the country side, we have closed the gap created by the pandemic and have continued professionalizing our clients through trainings in the digital platforms, reached out more farmers through the knowledge products in the digital space, connected farmers to buyers through digital marketing, and produced more than a hundred digital farmers through the Digital Farmers Program.
To my ATI-RTC X team, as we mark this milestone, let’s recommit ourselves for better service. Let’s recommit ourselves to the core values of the Institute. Let’s continue to Innovate, Transform, and Empower”, Center Director Lydia A. Echavez said in her welcome message, stressing the importance of innovation, the transformative power of quality trainings to empower ATI's customers and clients.
Invited guests were RED Carlene Collado of DA-RFO X (as represented by DA consultant Joel S. Rudinas), City Mayor Edgar Lignes (as represented by City Agriculturist Nolly Gabule) , attached agencies and line bureaus of the DA family, PhilRice, BPI, NSQCS, PCIC, TESDA 10, representatives from the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, and Bukidnon, representatives from the City Government of El Salvador, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, former center directors and colleagues, the pillars and forebearers of the Tatak ATI service in the region, and LSA farmer-partners.
One of the highlights of the activities include poster making contest, dish gardening, and quiz bee. Invited schools in the city participated in the aforementioned contests where high school students of Molugan National High School, St. Joseph Academy, Cogon National High School, The New El Salvador Colleges and El Salvador City National High School where they showcased their creativity and smarts.
Another highlight during the afternoon session was a baking demo led by our in-house chefs Rose Marie Magriña and Antonette June Russel, and was participated by ATI-RTC X retirees.
A comprehensive Health Care and Rehabilitation Services for Adults with Ms. Kassandra Norren G. Macario, CSP-PASP as the resource person was organized during the day two of the anniversary celebration, which was followed by a mini-sportsfest in the afternoon.
The two-day celebration which was celebrated simultaneously on a center level among the 16 training centers in the country transpired on January 30-31, 2023 with the theme "Embracing Extension Modernization for a Progressive and Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries".
