BUTUAN CITY – In a significant step toward accelerating digital transformation in Philippine agriculture, the Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII) and Caraga State University (CSU) formally sealed a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of Agri-Innovations Generating New Ideas and Technology for Excellence (Agri-IGNITE) 2026 on June 8, 2026, at the Office of the President’s Conference Hall, CSU Main Campus in Ampayon, Butuan City.

The partnership signals a shared commitment to bridging agriculture and information technology to create practical, data-driven solutions for farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural stakeholders across the Caraga Region. This aims to harness the power of technology, innovation, and youth-driven solutions to address the evolving needs of the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Representing ATI-RTC XIII during the signing were OIC Center Director Noemi Beth G. Macario and Mr. Jason Paul Dads E. Jampac, Chief of the Information Services Section. CSU was represented by University President Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil, together with Dr. Jaymer M. Jayoma, Dean of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS); Dr. Riah E. Encarnacion, Director of the Technology Business Incubator (TBI); and Mr. Jayson C. Dollete, CCIS Extension Coordinator.

Agri-IGNITE is an initiative designed to challenge students and young innovators to develop digital solutions and technology-based applications that can improve the delivery of agricultural extension services. Through the program, participants will be encouraged to create innovative platforms that respond to real-world challenges faced by farming and fishing communities while promoting efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability in the sector.

Under the agreement, ATI-RTC XIII will contribute its expertise in agricultural extension, capacity development, and field-level agricultural concerns by providing technical inputs, extension requirements, and relevant datasets. CSU, through its CCIS and TBI Office, will leverage its strengths in information technology, software development, research, and innovation to transform these agricultural challenges into practical digital solutions.

The partnership also opens opportunities for collaborative activities such as the development of mobile applications, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence-enabled systems that can support decision-making, information dissemination, and service delivery in agriculture.

Moreover, Agri-IGNITE 2026 highlights the vital role of young people in shaping the future of agriculture. By providing a platform for students to contribute ideas and develop solutions, the initiative nurtures a new generation of innovators who recognize agriculture as a dynamic sector where technology, entrepreneurship, and community development intersect.