BUTUAN CITY. To improve the services and capabilities of FITS Centers through the integration and institutionalization of RCM, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII, extended support through the provision of ICT equipment to six enhanced Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers.

This aims to strengthen RCM activities and increase the number of farmers who will benefit from the RCM-generated recommendations to be used in their farming practices.

The FITS who received the support are Veruela, Lapaz, Talacogon, and Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur; Taganaan, Surigao del Norte, and Cagdianao, Province of Dinagat Island.

Fil Victor A. Babanto, OIC-Center Director led the turn-over of the ICT equipment such as netbook, printer, pocket wifi, tablet, handheld Global Positioning System (GPS), and internet load card worth P 2,000. 00.

These were given through the Municipal Agriculture Office of the enhanced FITS Centers. In turn, the FITS Centers will institutionalize RCM deployment as one of their services, generate a minimum of 100 recommendations, and measure at least 20 hectares using GPS per cropping season.

To date, there are 29 FITS centers that have been enhanced for RCM since 2017.