The Agricultural Training Institute-Central Luzon (ATI-CL) has recently added three (3) new Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Kiosks to its network, aiming to better support local farmers with essential information and resources.
The FITS Kiosk in Geromo Farm School and Training Center Inc. in Mayantoc, Tarlac was launched on August 28, 2024. This follows the successful launch of the first FITS Kiosk at Garma-Buenoβs Farm School in 2021.
The event was supported by several partners, including Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU), the Office of Provincial Agriculture β Tarlac (OPA-Tarlac), and the Central Luzon Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC).
Dr. Yolanda Guillermo from TAU and Ms. Charlotte Galera from the FITS Center in Mayantoc were present. Mr. Frank Roland Geromo from the farm school thanked the team, promising that the new kiosk will help spread valuable agricultural knowledge to local farmers.
Furthermore, ATI-CL also launched a FITS Kiosk at Balboaβs Integrated Farm in Balanga City, Bataan. This new kiosk is designed to serve as a satellite one-stop store that will cater the needs of local farmers in agriculture-related information.
The launch event included Dr. Joey A. Belarmino, ATI-CL Center Director, Ms. Leonie Marie Santos from OPA-Bataan, and Ms. Nerissa B. Mateo, City Agriculturist of Balanga City.
Mr. Jose Balboa, LSA Cooperator expressed his gratitude, βTalagang nagpapasalamat po ako at wish come true po ito. Every time na may training po kami dito sa farm, lagi pong sinasabi ng mga students at farmers namin na sana po ay magkaroon ng FITS Kiosk. Dahil po sa binigay na ganito ng ATI, once na magkaroon po sila ng breaktime, pwede po silang pumunta doon sa FITS Kiosk para mag access ng information,β he quipped.
Further, another FITS Kiosk was opened at Linchoco Farm Agritourism Assessment and Training Center Inc. in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija. This kiosk, set up with help from Central Luzon State University (CLSU), will serve as a network of the FITS Center in San Antonio.
Attendees included Mr. Jefferson Mercado from CLSU, Mr. Emil Bundoc, Mr. Joel Catle, a representative from the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Sector.
The event wrapped up with the distribution of training equipment and IEC materials.
These new kiosks marked a significant step in ATI Central Luzonβs effort to bring important agricultural information and resources directly to farmers across the region.
