Reference No: ______________

August 15, 2019

DR. WILLIAM D. DAR

Secretary
Department of Agriculture
Elliptical Rd., Diliman, Quezon City

Sir:

Greetings!

Respectfully providing you the existing programs and activities of the Agricultural Training
Institute (ATI) in support to the Department of Agriculture’s priority concerns for the first 100
days.

 Proper and efficient implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law. Section 13d of the
Republic Act 11203 states that 10% or 1 Billion of the 10 Billion rice fund shall be made
available for the extension services provided by ATI, PhilMech, PhilRice, and TESDA for
teaching skills on rice crop production, modern rice farming techniques, seed production,
farm mechanization, and knowledge/technology transfer through farm schools nationwide
as follows: seventy percent (70%) to TESDA, and ten percent (10%) each to ATI, PhilRice, and
PHilMech”.

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund - Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-
RESP) will anchor its interventions on the Filipino’s Bayanihan spirit that encourages
communal unity and cooperation, and shall complement this with features from South
Korea’s Saemaul Undong Movement that promote the “can-do” or competitive spirit. Thus,
extension services will not focus merely on rice production technologies, but also strongly
promote group/united efforts and best performance, whenever practicable.
To facilitate this, a performance-based competition as a community/team (e.g., cooperative,
province, municipality, association) shall be promoted and implemented in collaboration
with the Machines, Seeds, and Credits components of the Rice Fund and with the National
Rice Program.

ATI being the lead for the extension component performed the following preparatory
activities: a) meeting with TESDA and DA-FOS for the corresponding work and financial
plans for the program, b) series of Rice Extension Services Program-Technical Working
Group (RESP-TWG) consultation meetings and workshops, and c) RCEF Project Steering
Committee meeting. Additionally, implementing guidelines on RCEP-RESP was approved by
the Program Steering Committee (PSC) including details of the 1 Billion extension fund.

For the remaining months of the year 2019, ATI will conduct series of Training of Trainers
(ToT) on the Production of High-quality Inbred Rice Seeds and Farm Mechanization,
Capability Building Activities on Inbred Rice Seed Production and Certification for Potential
Seed Growers, Deputized and Designated Seed Inspectors and Seed Testing for Seed
Analysts. Further, the Institute will implement Information Campaign Activities such as
development and dissemination of IEC Materials, technical briefings, knowledge sharing
among others to create awareness, better understanding, and appreciation o the program.

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

C.R. No. TUV100 05 3040
 Crop Diversification Strategies. Included in ATI’s annual PPAs are capability enhancement
trainings for various commodities along the value chain which includes training on
production technologies of various commodities, trainings on food processing, value adding
and marketing

Also, ATI has been promoting Integrated Diversified Organic Farming Systems (IDOFS),
Palayamanan or integrated-rice based farming system, diversified farming, integrated-
livestock based farming system, natural farming technology system, and agro-forestry
farming system technology as among the cultivation practices. These are promoted through
basic trainings then applied by way of ATI’s ladderized approach to extension services
particularly the Learning Sites (LS), Schools for Practical Agriculture (SPA), and Extension
Service Providers (ESP) – all geared towards farm tourism. GS

 Entrepreneurial skills enhancement for small farmers and fisher folk. Aside from the
Financial literacy trainings that was mainstreamed in all the Institute's capability building
activities, continuous implementation of training opportunities on value adding,
agribusiness and entrepreneurship was also made.

Farm Business Schools (FBS) and Climate Smart FBS are as well continually implemented
nationwide to establish market outlets and start market linkages.A Farm Business School is
a non-formal educational system crafted to assist farmers learn and improve their
knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship and marketing, thus improving their income. FBS
assists farmers cope with the demand of a market-driven environment as well as help them
in managing their farms as business units with stronger market linkages.

Kapatid Agri-Mentor Me Program (KAMMP) is a collaborative program of ATI, DA, and DTI
inpartnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo. It is
patterned after Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI’s) Negosyo Center and aims to
help existing agri-based enterprises scale up their businesses by equipping the agripreneurs
with the proper production technologies, mindset and values, and practical knowledge of
entrepreneurial functional areas through fieldwork, lecture and mentoring sessions
delivered by farm owners, academe, and agri practitioners.

 Strong implementation of climate change and disaster risk reduction program.

Strengthening Agriculture and Fishery Extension (AFE) stakeholders’ capacity in climate
change adaptation and readiness is one of ATI’s thematic programs. For the first semester of
2019, mainstreaming of climate change initiatives/capability building activities for climate
change adaptation and mitigation was done through the implementation of trainings,
technology demonstration thru the Institutes Learning Sites, provision of farm and business
advisory and information services.

Add to that, the Institute also helped in the organization of Climate Resilient Agriculture
(CRA) communities. This project is jointly undertaken by the ATI, DA Regional Offices,
Provincial/Municipal Local Government Units, SUCs and others. The project aimed to aid the
municipality and key partners to understand and respond to risks and opportunities
presented by future climatic changes and extreme weather events. The project components
include Ground Truthing, Converge Initiatives, Climate Risks and Vulnerability Assessment,
Climate Resilient Livelihood Kits, Climate Resilient Technology Trainings, and Knowledge
Management.
 Assistance to BARMM. Extension delivery services in the form of Farm Business Advisory
Services (FBAS), trainings, technology demonstration, and IEC dissemination were likewise
provided to the BARMM through ATI-Regional Training Center in Zamboanga Peninsula for
Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi while Lanao Del Sur and Maguindanao are covered by ATI-
Regional Training Center in Northern Mindanao.

 “New Thinking” in agriculture. To promote DA’s revised vision and mission, ATI will
continue to identify and promote countryside heroes - successful farmers, farmer groups,
rural women, out-of-school youth, extension workers, and the likes - through documentation
of their inspiring stories which are in written, audio, and visual form. These are uploaded and
disseminated by means of ATI’s website and social media platforms, promoted as well in
collaboration with local televisions and radio stations.

 To sustain massive information and communication campaign, ATI is increasing its

social media presence including radio and television guesting for common farmers’ stories
of success to be seen, heard, and felt. Partnerships with ABS-CBN, DZMM, Manila Bulletin,
and other media will be continued and strengthened. Further, the Institute has been
continuously implemented the following:

Farmers' contact center (FCC) was also established to make information more accessible to
farmers and other clients by providing voice (call) and short messaging services (SMS or
text) as well as emails and other online communication media.

DA Admin Order No. 03 Series of 2007 designates ATI as the lead agency for the provision of
e-Extension services in collaboration with the various agencies, bureaus and organizational
units of the DA. This is to integrate and harmonize ICT-based extension delivery system for
the agriculture and fisheries. E-Learning is one of the major components of the e-Extension
which is a form of distance education that includes online certificate courses and digital
learning resources such as techno kits and others by browsing the website http://www.e-
extension. gov.ph/elearning. Further, by enrolling in ATI’s e-Learning courses anyone are
allowed to be trained at their own pace and place of choice.

Rice Crop Manager (RCM) is a computer and mobile phone based tools providing rice
farmers with a personalized crop and nutrient management guideline. RCM uses results of
research and existing knowledge to provide farmers in irrigated and rain-fed lowlands with
‘precise’ field and farmer-specific recommendations

 Enhancing partnership with the private sector. ATI and SMART Communications forged
partnership for the Digital Farming Program (DFP). DFP provides the experience to its
participants wherein an ageing farmer is joined by a youth who will teach the basics of
smartphone use. One of the objectives is to equip both farmer and youth (next gen farmers)
with phonetography – knowledge on basic photo and videography skills to develop local
agri related contents, accompanied with production, writing and editing skills workshop.
DFP also aims to empower small-scale farmers by familiarizing the farmers with
smartphone features, android capabilities and commonly used apps and search engines,
social media channels and messaging apps. The program’s module was highly appreciated
by the participants as it is very simple; the strategies are output oriented, ladderized, and
provides coaching and mentoring.

On the other hand, ATI’s partnership with Go Negosyo in implementing the Kapatid Agri-
Mentor Me Program will likewise be reinforced.
 For years, ATI has been promoting the big brother, small brother partnership scheme as it is
among the core features of the ladderized extension approach to agriculture whereby
trained/successful farmers teach and help other small farmers in their communities.

 Strengthen the organizational structure of DA including systems and processes for

efficient and effective governance. ATI Central Office alongside its Regional Training
Centers and the International Training Center for Pig Husbandry has obtained and is
continually implementing the standards set by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015.

 Conduct of “Food Summit” with key stakeholders. AgriTalk and AgriLink are events
wherein ATI partnered with the media and other private companies to intensify the
promotion and dissemination of different AF programs, projects and activities. These are
avenues to further extend the services to the clients. Most of the activities are conducted in
the urban areas where there is high concentration of people residing.

AgriTalk provides the right knowledge and information is proven significant in increasing
the adoption rate of any technology. Additionally the event, facilitates better exchange of
knowledge among key players and implementers in the sector.

AgriLink is the agribusiness exhibition and seminars organized by the Foundation for
Resource Linkage & Development. AgriLink also serves as a venue for the leaders of the
agribusiness to come together and dialogue with the top leaders of the country, including
the Philippine President, the leaders and members of the Philippine Senate and House of
Representatives, as well as the members of the Philippine Cabinet. Over 30 agribusiness
associations and institutions participate annually as co-organizers of the AgriLink. With
almost 30,000 visitors which includes different government agencies and private sectors,
the event is also a good avenue to promote and link them with the possible investors and
market.

For your information and reference.

Thank you and more power!

Truly yours,

ALFREDO S. ATON, MPS-DM

Director IV