Siquijor FITS calls MAOs, member agencies to submit Search for FarmerScientist nominees 
by Rizalie Anding Calibo

SIQUIJOR, May 27 (PIA)--- The Provincial Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Consortium is calling anew all the Municipal Agriculturist Offices (MAOs) and other FITS-member agencies to submit entries or nomination for its Search for Farmer Scientist come Araw ng Siquijor in September this year.

FITS Chair Bernardita S. Tabada said, nomination forms have been distributed to all local government units (LGUs) but as of yesterday’s FIT’s meeting at the FITS Center, DOST, Siquijor, only San Juan LGUhave submitted one nominee.

  
Tabada said, it is high time LGUs should come up with their respective nominees so that the FITS consortium can finalize its schedule for monitoring and evaluation.

 
The Search for Farmer Scientist is an annual activity of the Siquijor FITS in line with the Techno-Gabay program of the government to give recognition to farmers who excel in their fields and encourage them share their expertise to other farmers.(RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor) 

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DA-ATI gives more trainings for agri workers, farmers

SIQUIJOR, May 27 (PIA)--- The Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institutte (DA-ATI) conducted another 12 batches of technical briefing and teknoklinik to agricultural extension workers (AEWs) and farmers, says to the report of the DA-Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office (PATCO) here.

Three of the batches of training were held in the municipalities of San Juan, Siquijor and Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, the report said. Others were done in the municipalities of Balilihan, San Isidro and Antequera of Bohol ; towns of Alegria, Alcantara and Moalboal in Cebu province ; and Bacong, Dauin and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental.

AEWs and farmers participants from Maria and Enrique Villanueva attended the teknoklinik at the Enrique Villanueva Social Center on May 18, 2011;  San Juan and Lazi participants on May 19, 2011 at the San Juan Sports Complex;  while Larena  and Siquijor participants on May 20, 2011 at the Siquijor Capital Square. 

The training, the DA-PATCO said is aimed at raising the awareness of the AEWs and farmers on the Agri-Pinoy Framework and the latest technologies on rice, corn, high valued crops, livestock and fisheries in Central Visayas.

The activity was spearheaded by the Agricultural Training Institute(ATI) – 7 with collaborating agencies such as the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Offices (PATCOs) of DA Regional Field Unit 7, Provincial Veterinary Offices (PVO), Provincial Agriculturist Offices (PAO) and Municipal Agriculture Offices, among others. 

Speakers for the teknoklinik were Mr. Precioso Patindol and Ms. Artemia Gotardo of ATI-7; Mr. Edgar Libetario and Marjoe Rey Labonite of PhilRice, and Mr. Jorge Paculba of DA-RFU 7 while topics discussed include the current DA programs anchored on the Agri-Pinoy framework,sustainable agriculture updates, climate change, rice technologies more specifically focused on certified seed usage, crops and livestock technologies with emphasis on crop-livestock integration. 

      
The activity also featured exhibits and distribution of IECs on rice and other crops. 

The activity likewise served as the venue for the Ugnayan or Pinoy Encounter wherein stakeholders in the agriculture sector especially rice farmers had the chance to raise questions concerning their day-to-day farming activities. 

Members of the ugnayan interaction were Bernadith S. Bunado of DA, Dr. Ramon Taroc and Lilibeth Caroro of the office of the provincial agriculturist, Merlita Yabo of the PVO, Warren Inao of BFAR, and Medel Panzo of PCA. 

Edgar Libetario of PhilRice said this teknoklinik facilitates interaction between farmers and scientists/experts so to have an exchange of information/experiences on the field and the application of the technologies. 

 “Farmers should freely consult with experts regarding their field-based farming issues”, he said. (Rizalie A. Calibo with reports from Renan Ansing)