CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Agricultural Training Institute in Central Luzon (ATI-CL) is continuously promoting organic agriculture among teachers and students in the region.
The ATI-CL and the Department of Education-Schools District Office Zambales on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will strengthen the implementation of the programs that promote food security in schools and introduce organic agriculture among the students.
As agreed upon, the ATI-CL will conduct e-Learning and School-on-the-Air (SOA) training on organic agriculture as well on the Gulayan sa Paralaan.
ATI-CL Center Director Elsa F. Victoria said the training is aimed to teach the students how to grow vegetables through the adoption of organic practices.
"It is also a means to instill to them the values and appreciation of agriculture, as well as promote food security inside the school and the community," she said during the virtual MOA signing.
Victoria said the ATI-CL is widening the engagement among the youth in order to encourage them to go into farming.
“One of the challenges the agriculture sector is facing now is the aging of farmers and agricultural extension workers. Kapag natuloy itong mga activities natin na ito na nakapaloob sa ating MOA, we are sure na in a way or two, it will lead to the ignition of fire sa ating mga kabataan to go into agriculture. Isa ito sa mga perspective na nakikita ko na magagawa sa partnership natin (If the activities indicated in our MOA push through, we are sure it will lead to the ignition of fire to our youth to go into agriculture. It is one of the perspectives that we can do in our partnership),” she said
Ailyn C. Eay, chief education program supervisor of the School Governance and Operation Division (SGOD)-Zambales, is optimistic that teachers and students will benefit from the activities and trainings of the ATI-CL.
“We really need the training for our teachers and our students so that we can sustain the Gulayan sa Paaralan program of the Department of Education,” she said.
ATI-CL has also forged a similar partnership with Pagalanggang National High School in Bataan last year. (PNA)
