The Agricultural Training Institute- Central Luzon (ATI-CL), in partnership with Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Central Luzon Agriculture Resources and Research Development Center (CLAARRDEC) and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist-Pampanga (OPA-Pampanga), launched the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Candaba, Pampanga on July 18, 2024, under Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
The Techno Gabay Program (TGP) Team, which include partners from PSAU and CLAARRDEC, awarded the ICT equipment and materials to Candaba FITS Center for easy access information in dissemination to the local community farmers.
The program started with the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Mr. Jomar Guevarra, Municipal Agriculturist, Mr. Luis Sagum, SK Federation President, and TGP Coordinators from PSAU, CLAARRDEC and ATI-CL.
Mr. Sagum opened the launching ceremony on behalf of their Municipal Mayor by extending his gratitude to all participating agencies behind TGP which gave them the opportunity to cater the needs of the local farmers in their community.
During the program, Dr. Joey A. Belarmino, ATI-CL Center Director, expressed his support to the newly enhanced FITS Center of Candaba, Pampanga. He also added that enhancing their FITS Center is the start of expanding the reach of Municipal Agriculture Office to the local farming community through training and activities.
Ms. Rachel Liberato, CLAARRDEC TGP Coordinator, and Dr. Amalia C. Briones, PSAU Director of Extension and Training, reassured the FITS Center that their office will help them by disseminating IEC materials produced by their office.
Furthermore, Ms. Eula Dee A. LaΓ±ada, TGP Coordinator and ATI-CL Information Officer II, gave an overview of the TGP and its components.
Mr. Jomar Guevarra, Municipal Agriculturist, and Mr. Celso Balboa, farmer-leader, expressed their gratitude to the TGP team for giving this kind of project to their municipality and enabling them to cater the needs of the farmers in their community.
Dr. Emmanuel Cabral, PSAU Assistant Director of Extension and Training, gave his closing message by giving the farmers the right to maximize the use of their FITS Center.
Moreover, this FITS Center, as an extension of the TGP, collaborates with other elements to deliver science- and technology-based services and information to end users in the agriculture and fisheries industries.Β
It functions as a one-stop shop providing tailored services to farmers, business owners, and other clients in the area, offering quick access to technology and information suited to their needs. The center's presence will greatly benefit local farmers and fishermen.
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