Thu, 08/11/2022 - 05:31

AKLAN, Region VI – Select staff of the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 visited the Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs) in this province and took note of the best practices of the farmers. The group also assimilated the implementation of the Rice Crop Manager (RCM) program and other information-related services. This happened from August 8-12, 2022 purposely to intensify the implementation of RCM through benchmarking and to visit the LSAs in Region 6 (Western Visayas).

During the first day of the visit, the group met with OIC Center Director Mary Ann Ramos of ATI-RTC VI and took note of what can be replicated by the ATI-RTC 13 office. In the afternoon, the staff visited the Bullo Hillside Integrated Farm in Balete, Aklan owned by Dr. Porferio Bullo. The farm processes its own agricultural products such as fruits that are bottled into Dragon Fruit and Guyabano juices. Their mushroom is also cooked and packaged into crispy snacks.

On Day 2, the first stop was at the school- based Loomweaving Facility Project on Piña-Abaca Fibercraft Industry which is located inside the Aklan State University (ASU) campus. This project is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Afterwards, the group traveled to Libas where LSA cooperator Palmy D. Meliton of the Meliton Family Integrated Farm ushered the staff to their seven-hectare farm. It is also a TESDA-accredited farm school and DOT-accredited farm tourism site.

On Day 3, the staff visited the Ati Village in Brgy. Manuk-Manuk, Malay, Aklan. The Atis are indigenous people and original settlers in the area. Despite the booming tourism and flourishing economy, the Atis remained poor and suffered much from years of neglect and injustice. But through the support of the Daughter's of Charity, the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), ATI, and other government agencies, the Atis are now given hope. They were able to establish a community garden that included a greenhouse where lettuce is grown via hydroponics technology. That evening, the ISS staff conducted a Planning Workshop for CY 2023.

On Day 4, the group arrived in Metro Manila to vist the ATI Central Office in Quezon City and to do the final editing of the Cebuano version of the CFIDP Farmer's Guide.

Among those who joined the benchmarking activity were Fil Victor Babanto (OIC Center Director), Jason Paul Dads Jampac (OIC Chief, ISS), Mary Grace Salve (OIC Chief, CDMSS), Ginalyn Arbutante (Information Officer II), Ressell Angelie Fetalsana (Information Officer II), Maria Den Parro (Agriculturist I), and John Paul Abonitalla (Technical Support Staff).

LSA Farms
Staff of ATI-RTC 13 visited the Ati Village in Brgy. Manuk-Manuk, Malay, Aklan. The Atis are indigenous people and original settlers in the area. Despite the booming tourism and flourishing economy, the Atis remained poor and suffered much from years of neglect and injustice. But through the support of the Daughter's of Charity, the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), ATI, and other government agencies, the Atis are now given hope. They were able to establish a community garden that included a greenhouse where lettuce is grown via hydroponics technology.
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