REGIONWIDE -- The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) knows the immense potential of employing Information Communication Technology (ICT), particularly in agricultural extension, given the country's reliance on agriculture for economic sustainability.

As the extension and training arm of the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas ATI, the center spearheaded Techno Gabay Program (TGP) Summit 2022 held on September 15-16, 2022, at One Central Hotel, Cebu City.

The two-day activity aimed to: (1) Discuss comprehensively the Techno Gabay Program; (2) Explain the FITS Center services and functions; (3) Expound on the roles and functions of the FITS Team; and (4) Apply their learnings, develop, and produce techno guide.

Ms. May Joy P. Luzon talked about the Basics of Infographics. Meanwhile, Ms. Erika Vizcarra, Information Officer II from ATI-Central Office, discussed ATI's Support to FITS Centers. 

“During the activity presentation of ideas and concepts and the sharing of best practices was very educational and relevant to the needs and for further improvement of the FITS center in every locality. We learned about new things, especially on how FITS works and the making of Techno guides for and ease in making guides using Canva,” expressed Gratchie Marie Villaruel from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Alcoy.

By improving farmers' access to information and technologies as crucial inputs for decision-making and entrepreneurial activity, TGP seeks to speed up the modernization of agriculture. Four complimentary and interconnected component modalities make up the program namely: (1) Information and Communication Technologies; (2) Magsasaka Siyentista; (3) Farmers' Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center, and (4) Information and Education and Communication (IEC).

A total of 52 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from Cebu and Negros Oriental participated in the activity.