Training institute holds 1st 4H encampment in Siquijor

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, June 1 (PIA) -- The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) recently held a four-day encampment for the 4H club members in the province at Maite, San Juan, Siquijor. 

At least 90 4Hers from 33 4H clubs and Provincial Federation Officers with seven 4H club coordinators and two representatives from the Volunteer Leaders Association of the Philippines (VLAP) attended the encampment. 

Agricultural Training Institute MPS II-Support Staff and documentor Merrian Piquero said the 4H encampment is part of the comprehensive program that ATI has developed to harness the youths’ potentials and contribute meaningfully to the rural and agricultural development of the country. 

She said that with the activity, participants are expected to exhibit the importance and principles of indigenous knowledge systems for growth opportunities in agriculture. 

They are also expected to explain organic farming, discuss the organic production, post production and marketing, share their life experiences, and explain new principles of their timeliness as youth, she said. 

Use of their creativity and potentials are likewise expected through production of souvenirs and other novelty items from local materials, as wells as production of mural paintings and posters. 

The 4H encampment is a great avenue for youth to become joyful, responsible, and fruitful citizens as they acquire and learn different social and agricultural technologies that would equip them in their pursuit to “making the best better,” Soliva said. 

Elnard Ympal, president of one of the 4H clubs in San Juan town and a Gawad Saka national awardee, said the encampment is full of fun and excitement, citing that every participant is exposed to one another with all positive values being practiced. 

The activities made during the encampment prove that, “learning by doing makes the best better,” he said. (rmn/RAC-PIA Siquijor) 

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ICT course, e-learning for agri workers held in Siquijor

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, June 1 (PIA) -- A three-day e-learning training and basic ICT course for agricultural extension workers (AEWs) was conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in the province. 

The training is a component of ATI’s e-extension program that seeks to expose AEWs in the use of computers as tools to facilitate extension works and enhance extension delivery system. 

E-extension program coordinator and project officer Merrian Piquero Soliva said the program is their way of bringing farmers closer to ATI. 

“We want to give our clientele their needs and be able to answer all their queries in an easier and faster way via online connection,” she said. 

She said a farmers’ call center was launched in November 2009 where they programmed answers and solutions to farmers’ and fishers’ possible questions and problems. It is supported by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, she said. 

A total of 23 AEWs from the six municipalities in the province participated in the training that was conducted last May 21-23 at the Siquijor State College (SSC) Computer Laboratory in Larena, Siquijor. 

SSC Professors Will Kilat and Christopher Y. Sabado facilitated the training. (rmn/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor)