CALAMBA CITY, Laguna—A more accessible and user-friendly way to locate Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs) and Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers is currently being developed through a unified GIS-based locator map.
This tool is being designed to help farmers, students, researchers, and other stakeholders easily find over 2,000 LSAs and more than 1,000 FITS Centers across the Philippines—sites that offer hands-on training, extension services, and agri-tourism experiences.
The initiative is being strengthened through a Mentoring Session on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), held from June 1 to 4, 2025 at Doña Jovita Garden Resort in Calamba City, Laguna. The activity is equipping participants from the Agricultural Training Institute’s (ATI) Network of Training Centers with practical knowledge and technical skills on GIS applications for agricultural mapping.
Resource persons from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) are leading the sessions, offering expertise on spatial data management, mapping tools, and strategies for digital integration in extension work.
Once completed, the GIS platform will enhance the visibility and accessibility of ATI-supported LSAs and FITS Centers, making it easier for users to connect with nearby learning resources and support services.
This initiative is part of a broader push to modernize agricultural extension systems and expand the reach of government programs through digital innovation and smart technologies.
