Tagbilaran City – The Agricultural Training Institute-VII (ATI-7) together with the Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic, & Natural Resources Research & Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC) forged a Memorandum of Understanding on September 16, 2024, in this city.

In 2009, the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) program was launched under the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), and in 2012 it was transferred to ATI. Its modalities include Farmers Information Technology Services (FITS) Center, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) or farmer scientist, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Support, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) Utilization.

For Region VII, a total of 104 FITS centers were established with minimal assistance through the provision of ICT & IEC support under the ATI-7 FITS enhancement project. With this new development, FITS centers can also avail of the CVAARDECC services by submitting project proposals. This collaboration would also maximize the consortium's goal of promoting Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) projects and programs in the region.

The MOU aims to strengthen the consortium's presence in Region VII through the mutual sharing of experts, facilities, and other resources. Specifically, it seeks to help the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) under ATI-7 assisted Farmers Information Technology Services (FITS) Centers.

The event was joined by Consortium Director Ivy Corazon Manga-ay, PhD alongside her CVAARDDEC Team: Science Communication Cluster Coordinator Mary Jean Faustino, Dr. Lloyd Tejano-Deputy Consortium Director, Engr. Phillip Glenn Libay - ICT Cluster Coordinator, Conchita Lorejo – Science Research Assistant, and Maria Geneva Cait. Additionally, Director Gracia F. Arado, PhD, FITS Focal Person Doris Isabel J. Racho, DM and Merrian P. Soliva, PhD represented ATI-7.