In celebration of the ATI’s 37th anniversary, the ATI Regional Training Center in the Cordillera participated in the Techno Forum and Product Expo at the Trinoma Mall, Quezon City. The event was successfully implemented from February 2-4, 2024. The event highlighted how the ATI pushes for new technologies, updates its program and connects its training programs to various LSAs as partners to promote and enhance agricultural development at the countryside. The event has the theme: “Innovate, Collaborate, Succeed: Growing Together for a Sustainable Future.” The theme is also aligned with the “Bagong Pilipinas” and the Department of Agriculture’s goal of “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya.”
On the first day, all the representatives from each regional training center set up their booths ready for mall goers and shoppers. Various products on display from various LSAs entire the Philippines and free agriculture-related learning materials were also on display. A short opening ceremony at around 10:00 in the morning was done. During the Opening Ceremony, Undersecretary for DA Bureaus Mercedita Sombilla graced the event and visited all the booths. She shared her message of support and inspiration to all the farmers and consumers present.
The TechnoForum was held simultaneously with the Product Expo wherein the LSAs and P-ESP and representatives of each regional training center were the participants. Mallgoers and shoppers have the chance to listen to the resource persons as they share their services for the improvement and upliftment of agriculture.
The following topics were shared during the Techno Forum:
- Precision Agriculture: Technologies and Innovation and Flower Pounding by Bukid Amara
- Topic 1: Product Registration discussed by Ms. Givina J. Tuasen, Food Drug Regulation Officer II of the Food and Drug Administration. She talked about the certification of product registration and the overview of the leveling guidelines.
- Topic 2: Trademark Registration by Ms. Marie Marnette E. Vaillamor, Intellectual Property Rights Specialist I of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
- Topic 3 and 4: Precision Agriculture and Power Pounding by Mr. Michael S. Caballes, Owner of the Bukid Amara. Technologies and Innovation were also discussed in this topic.
- Topics 5: Building Strong Farmer Cooperative and Producer Groups: Collective Action for Better Bargaining Power and Market Access – Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC)
- Topic 6: Branding and Marketing Strategies for Agricultural Products by Mr. Edsel James Quemado of the Mushroom City Company. Mr. Quemado shared his expertise on Branding and Marketing Strategies for agricultural products, and how the Mushroom City started. He also shared interventions they received from ATI and other partner agencies and how this helped their company grow
The ATI-RTC-CAR was able to generate a total amount of P63,761.89 during the product expo.
