BUTUAN CITY – The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII joined the celebration of the 12th Sadow Festival and the 59th Araw ng Agusan del Norte from June 15 to 18, 2026, at the Capitol Compound, Butuan City, showcasing its programs and services in support of the agricultural sector.

The Sadow Festival is the official cultural festival of Agusan del Norte celebrated annually in June as part of the province's founding anniversary. It serves as a vibrant showcase of the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and identity of Agusanons, particularly the indigenous communities such as the Manobo, Mamanwa, and Higaonon tribes. The festival promotes cultural preservation, unity, and pride while highlighting the province's achievements and aspirations for continued growth and development.

Celebrated alongside the province's founding anniversary every June 17, the festival commemorates the creation of Agusan del Norte through Republic Act No. 4979 in 1967, which divided the former province of Agusan into Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. First launched in 2015, the Sadow Festival has since become one of the province's most anticipated annual celebrations, bringing together government agencies, local government units, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and communities in honoring the spirit and resilience of Agusanons.

This year's celebration carried the theme, "Lig-on ug Malahutayong AKSYON Taliwala sa Hagit sa Panahon, Kalambuan sa Agusan Magpadayon," emphasizing resilience, unity, and sustained development amid evolving challenges.

As part of the festivities, the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) organized the AgNor Tabo – Provincial Farmers' Kadiwa and Agro Fair cum AgNor Festival 2026, bringing together various government agencies, private organizations, farmers' groups, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs to promote local products, agricultural innovations, and public services.

Various national government agencies, local government offices, state universities and colleges, farmers' organizations, cooperatives, and local entrepreneurs also mounted their respective booths to showcase products, technologies, services, and development programs. The exhibit area became a dynamic venue for information sharing, networking, product promotion, and market opportunities, reflecting the collective efforts of stakeholders in advancing agricultural development and local economic growth in Agusan del Norte.

The ATI-RTC XIII maintained an exhibit booth featuring Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and promotional resources highlighting the Institute's various training programs, digital agriculture initiatives, extension services, scholarship opportunities, and learning modalities available to farmers, fisherfolk, youth, and other stakeholders. Moreover, it attracted visitors from different municipalities, partner agencies, students, farmers, and members of the public who sought information on agricultural technologies, capacity-building programs, and opportunities for learning and enterprise development. ATI Girl likewise brought added excitement to the exhibit area as she warmly welcomed guests and interacted with visitors throughout the event.

The celebration officially opened on June 15 with the IP Ritual, Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, and Sadow Tu Kultura AgNor Tabo, followed by the Job Fair on June 16. On June 17, the Provincial Government conducted the State of the Province Address (SOPA) and People's Day, while Arbor Day activities will be held on June 18 in Barangay Patag, Cabadbaran City.