The Agricultural Training Institute Central Luzon (ATI CL), through its Partnerships and Accreditation Section (PAS), held the 2024 Year-End Assessment of the Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) Program at the Merryland Integrated Farm and Training Center Inc. in Pulilan, Bulacan, on December 5, 2024.
This activity aimed to nurture meaningful discussions among LSA partners, focusing on key challenges and issues faced by the program, as well as identifying potential solutions for its improvement.
The assessment also served to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Learning Sites and to explore opportunities for restructuring and strengthening the network of LSAs into a more cohesive and collaborative group.
Mr. Jian Carlo SJ. Castillo, owner of Merryland Integrated Farm and Training Center, welcomed the guests and LSA cooperators, setting the tone for the day's discussions.
In addition to Mr. Castillo's welcome address, Ms. Ma. Gloria SF. Carillo, Provincial Agriculturist of Bulacan, shared insights into the agricultural landscape of the province. Dr. Joey A. Belarmino, Center Director of ATI-RTC III, also provided remarks, emphasizing the importance of the LSA Program in the region.
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, highlighted the vital role of LSAs in promoting agricultural development and improving farmers' livelihoods through video messages.
Furthermore, Mr. Jayson B. Nidua, Development Management Officer I of ATI CL, provided an overview of the LSA program's activities throughout the year. This was followed by a detailed report on the accomplishments of the Learning Sites, which included successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
Ms. Reinalyn C. Gulen, Officer-in-Charge of PAS, then presented the status of the LSAs and the Extension Support Program (ESP) in the region, as well as the forward-looking strategies to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of these sites.
Moreover, the assessment served as a platform for discussing ongoing projects and future collaborations among the LSAs in Central Luzon, reinforcing ATI CLโs commitment to advancing agricultural education and training across the region. Through this event, ATI CL aims to strengthen the partnership among its Learning Sites and ensure that the program continues to contribute meaningfully to the development of the agricultural sector.
