TANTANGAN, South Cotabato (PIA) — The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center here has highlighted its agricultural and fishery programs, urging different sectors of society to avail of them.
John Lord Auman, information officer of ATI-RTC in Soccsksargen, stated that their training programs are open to qualified individuals, not just farmers and fisherfolk.
“Regardless of gender [and] status in life, fair po kaming nagbibigay ng opportunity sa mga taong gustong matuto at makakuha ng makabagong kaalaman sa agrikultura (we are fair in providing opportunities to those who are eager to learn new knowledge in agriculture),” he emphasized during the Philippine Information Agency’s Talakayang Dose recently.
The ATI serves various groups, including farmers, fishers, agricultural extension workers, Indigenous people, 4H Club members, rural women, state universities, local government units, youth, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, rebel returnees, the academe, and private organizations.
Auman also pointed out that ATI supports rural-based and farmer organizations aside from its banner programs on rice, corn, coconut, high-value crops, organic agriculture, livestock, and halal.
He added that the intensification of agricultural training is free, as it aims not only to boost the agri sector but also to assist farming and fishing communities in the Soccsksargen and Bangsamoro regions in gaining new insights and enhancing their farming and fishing activities.
The programs cover various agricultural practices such as rice and corn production, coconut hybridization, vegetable and coffee production, urban and peri-urban agricultural sites, organic agriculture, artificial insemination, dairy production, and swine multiplier farms.
Evelyn Arellano, one of the beneficiaries of ATI-RTC’s training in the coconut-cacao farming system, expressed how thankful she is for the new insights she acquired.
“Ginapasalamatan ko gid ang opportunity na maka-attend sin inga training. Salamat man pud sa ATI-RTC 12 sa mayo nga pag-accommodate sa amo diri kag sa PCA sa ilang mga support,” Arellano said.
(I am truly grateful for the opportunity to attend this training. Thank you also to ATI-RTC 12 for the excellent accommodation here and to PCA for their support.)
The training equipped them with the necessary skills for pruning, controlling pests, and managing cacao as an intercrop for coconut.
Auman said that interested individuals may contact ATI-RTC based in Tantangan, South Cotabato via social media, telephone (083) 229-1024, or email at [email protected]. (SJDM – PIA Region 12)
