For years, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA intensifies its campaign to encourage local government units (LGUs) in the region to adopt the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) in their agricultural extension services particularly on the establishment of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center.
With its two (2) targets for FITS establishment this year, the ATI-MIMAROPA conducted the virtual evaluation in the LGU-San Vicente, Palawan, and LGU-Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro on August 2, 2022 and August 3, 2022, respectively through Google Meet.
To show their interest and commitment, Municipal Agriculturist of San Vicente, Palawan, Mr. Rufino I. Clavecilla represented by Engr. Reniel Z. Rocaberte, Agriculture Development Specialist, and OIC-Municipal Agriculturist of Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro Mr. Johnnie V. Ramos attended the said online activity.
During the evaluation, the representatives from the LGUs answered the interviews conducted by the staff from the Information Services Section of the Center. They were evaluated based on the criteria/factors such as resource requirements, fixtures, equipment data/information, staff complement, and funding capability.
Engr. Rocaberte said that through the FITS Center, relevant information on agricultural modernization will no longer be limited, rather it will be more accessible to the local agricultural actors of the municipality. Also, once established, he assured that the LGU will allocate funding in their annual investment plan for the continuous operation of the FITS.
“Ang aming proposed FITS ay merong internet connectivity kung saan pwede natin maipromote ang mga online services ng Techno Gabay Program”, he added.
Moreover, Mr. Ramos shared that the establishment of FITS is timely in sustaining agricultural productivity in the Municipality of Santa Cruz. “Napaka supportive ng aming Mayor sa gagawin nating proyekto na ito. Pansamantala, dito muna sa loob ng Municipal Agriculture Office ang aming proposed na FITS, at ito ay ililipat namin kapag maitayo na ang aming bagong building na nakalaan para dito”, he explained.
The FITS Center is a one-stop service facility made accessible to farmers, entrepreneurs, and other clients in a given area. It provides fast access to information and technologies in forms appropriate to the clients’ needs.
If the proposed FITS Centers will pass the basic requirements, FITS-San Vicente and FITS-Santa Cruz will be the 15th and 8th established FITS Centers in the Provinces of Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, respectively.
