The Institute continues to explore various areas of collaboration and partnership for its agricultural extension initiatives to ensure that the farmers and fishers can maximize the services designed to uplift their living conditions. This includes the various extension programs and projects that aim to empower the Rural-Based Organizations (RBOs) and stakeholders under the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) and the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
Organization of Rural-Based Organizations
ATI ensures participation among stakeholders and its clientele in creating and revitalizing farmers’ organizations such as RBOs. ATI also adopts holistic approaches and strategies to encourage engagement and commitment among the said stakeholders to bring about significant changes in the countryside. Hence, ATI serves as the national secretariat and overall coordinator in the management and supervision of revitalizing and sustaining the activities of the RBOs.
The program comprises various phases such as Information Drive; Situation Analysis; Rapid Appraisal/Participatory Assessment; Orientation; Facilitation of Registration; and Provision of incentives to the organization of RBOs.
National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP)
NUPAP is one of the banner programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote urban and peri-urban agriculture and other emerging agriculture practices through agricultural extension and training programs.
Apart from ATI, the program implementers are the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE), and Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB), and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
Specifically, the Institute is responsible for the following activities:
Establishment of Integrated Urban Agriculture Gardens
The ATI implements the ATIng Gulayan Community Garden where technical and financial assistance are provided to community gardens if they meet the basic requirements for the establishment of integrated urban agriculture gardens. Interested barangays with vacant spaces for setting up communal gardens either vertical or plot gardens can qualify for the assistance provided under the program. Likewise, homeowners’ associations, schools, and universities in urban areas can also be tapped to establish their vegetable gardens.
The financial assistance would depend on the proposed development plan and the technical staff's recommendations, as well as the proponents’ capability and sustainability of their projects.
The established community garden can later on apply for certification as a Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) following the qualification requirements stated in the “Guidelines for the Establishment of Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) and School for Practical Agriculture (SPA).
Part of the conditions for the assistance as a certified LSA as an extension partner is producing good quality vegetable seedlings that can be provided for their respective community. Dubbed the “Binhi para sa Pamayanan”, the program is a community-based plant nursery that aims to produce and distribute ready-to-plant vegetable seedlings and build strong partnerships and linkages. Initiated by the ATI – Regional Training Center in CALABARZON, the program is being implemented nationwide.
Components of Binhi para sa Pamayanan:
- Production of ready-to-plant vegetable seedlings
- Php 6,000 worth of inputs will be given in exchange for 50 trays of vegetable seedlings with a maximum of six cycles per year for a total of 300 trays of vegetable seedlings.
- Distribution of seedlings to the recipient communities
- Ready-to-plant vegetable seedlings will be distributed to walk-in clients in their respective areas. Likewise, requested vegetable seedlings from ATI shall be given priority.
- Skills development; and
- Monitoring and regular submission of reports.
Provision of Starter Kits for Household Gardens
Starter Kits are provided to recipient individuals for the establishment of household gardens. The kit contains the following:
- 3 packs of seeds of different kinds
- 2 kgs compost
- 2 kgs garden soil (mixture of 50% garden soil, 30% compost, and 20% carbonized rice hull)
- 15 poly bags/pots
- 1 seedling tray
Establishment/Maintenance of ATIng Gulayan at ATI Central Office
The ATIng Gulayan at ATI Central Office showcases replicable methods and techniques of urban agriculture, such as the vertical gardens in various forms, the use of greenhouses, and the small areas and sidewalks for growing edible plants, herbs, spices, fruit trees including ornamentals. The project also serves as a seed bank or source of planting materials/ seedlings for starter kits. In cases where ATI cannot provide the needed seedling requirements, planting materials are sourced out from the Institute’s certified LSA farmers or Extension Service Providers.
Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP)
Launched in June 2022, the CFIDP was formulated to set the directions and policies for the development and rehabilitation of the coconut industry within 50 years, as stipulated in Republic Act no. 11524, or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act. The law mandates the creation of a trust fund from the recovered coco levy assets to fund interventions aimed at benefiting coconut farmers in the country.
Training of Trainers (TOT) at the national, regional, and farmer-level -- conducted to equip the extension personnel and farmer-leaders with the proper knowledge and harness their skills, attitude,s and practices in providing technical assistance and complementary interventions to coconut farmers.
Topics ranged from coconut specialist courses, coconut-based farm business school, good agricultural practices, dairy farm operation, milk processing for goat and cattle, production of coconut products and by-products, native animal production and management for native chicken, pig, goat and cattle.
The ATI initiated the development and publication of training modules and facilitator’s guide with subject matter specialists from partner agencies.
Certification for the Coconut-based Learning Site for Agriculture (CocoLSA) --The Institute certifies CocoLSA to develop a pool of farmer-trainers who will showcase applicable technologies in agriculture specifically in coconut farming, coco-processing and its other relevant practices that will help improve the capabilities of small farmers and other rural community members.
Refer to Accreditation Services for more details.
Provision of Grants to Extension Service Providers (ESPs) -- The Institute provides grants to public and private ESPs in the delivery of farmer-level training to coconut farmers and their families. This aims to expand the reach of farmer-level training across the country designed to improve the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values of coconut farmers and their families regarding various topics on coconut value chain systems.
Strategic Communication and Administration of e-Learning Courses -- To achieve the desired change, the ATI initiates some campaign strategies, including the development and distribution of knowledge products, courseware development and administration, and school-on-the-air programs, among other information-related events.
Safe Vegetables from Rich Soil (SAVERS) Technology
The ATI, in collaboration with the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC), trains farmer-leaders and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) on the use of wood vinegar popularly known as “mokusaku” to boost organic farming and reduce the use of chemical fertilizer.
Known as SAVERS technology developed by JAEC Senior Technical Adviser Makasi Yomori, this Japanese technology can increase farm productivity with fewer synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
