Farmers in Central Luzon will have access to agricultural information and technology services through the enhancement of Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers in the region.
The Agricultural Training Institute-Central Luzon (ATI-CL), in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and CLAARRDEC, enhanced 12 Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers in the region in September this year to improve their services as well as reach more farmers in their municipality.
ATI-CL Center Director, Dr. Joey A. Belarmino, stressed the importance of the role of FITS Centers in the municipalities. “Malaki ang tulong ng ating mga FITS Centers sa mga munisipyo. Ang FITS Center ay pinapabilis ang information dissemination regarding agricultural technology galing sa ating mga researchers and other government institutions papunta sa ating mga farmers and fishers,” he quipped.
The following enhanced FITS Centers were awarded with ICT tools and equipment to enhance their services in a series of turnover ceremonies held on September 19-29, 2023: (1) Mariveles, Bataan, (2) Abucay, Bataan, (3) Orani, Bataan, (4) Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, (5) Talugtug, Nueva Ecija, (6) Norzagaray, Bulacan, (7) OPA-Pampanga, (8) OPA-Zambales, (9) Cabangan, Zambales, (10) Baler, Aurora, (11) Pura, Tarlac; and (12) La Paz, Tarlac.
Engr. Agapito Pascual, Municipal Agriculturist of Norzagaray, said that the enhancement gave them a big boost in their operations. “Asahan ninyo na pangangalagaan namin itong mga ICT tools and equipment para mas marami pa kaming farmers na seserbisyohan. Welcome ang lahat ng farmers dito sa aming FITS Center at pwede nilang gamitin itong mga equipment kasi para sa inyo ito,” he shared.
ATI-CL has been enhancing FITS Centers since 2017 to improve their services. The FITS Center is one of the components of the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) together with the Magsasaka Siyentista, Information Education Communication (IEC) materials and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) tools. The TGP is an extension modality intended to bring science-or technology-based information and services closer to end-users in the agriculture and fisheries sector. (EDLanada)
