By Gladys Pino/PNA
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) extension training arm, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) 4-A (Calabarzon), on Monday tapped media practitioners to promote its programs and projects to a wider audience.
ATI 4-A Center Director Marites P. Cosico acknowledged the media’s important role in promoting transparency and faster delivery of message and sought their help as the institute upgrades its services to keep pace with their clientele’s dependence on technology for learning and information.
“Kung dati, bilang na bilang lamang ang may kakayahan magkaradyo sa kanayunan, ngayon ay hindi maitatatwang ang bawat bahay ay may sari-sarili ng telebisyon (If in the past, only a few could afford owning a radio in the rural areas, now we can no longer deny that every household owns a television),” Cosico said during their first media interaction.
She said more people now have internet access where people can easily get information on certain issues or topics, and farmers and fisherfolk now are very adept in using smart phones.
In the past, ATI 4-A had linked with radio stations for its “School-On-Air” program.
The distance learning technology involves a sequence of radio programs on agricultural subject matters, aired for at least three months.
ATI 4-A has reported some 3,000 farmer graduates in the past three years, on various “learning enhancement” topics, such as sustainable hog raising, corn and organic farming.
With the emerging trend of social media and the Internet, the Calabarzon Center also boasts of some 56 Farmers Information Technology Services (FITS) Centers strategically located around the region where farmers and fisherfolk may learn the latest trends, in terms of information, technology and strategies.
As these programs yield positive, effective results, ATI plans to use print and TV as strategic channels for possible course offerings or to download the latest information, Cosico added.
The Calabarzon Center, although cited for its best practices in knowledge management and information services, continuously seeks out ways to improve its services and reach out to media for faster, better delivery of information for the benefit of the public.
