Agricultural Training Institute (Philippines)
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| Established: | January 30, 1987 |
| Director: | Asterio P. Saliot |
| Website: | http://www.ati.da.gov.ph |
The Philippines' Agricultural Training Institute (Filipino: Surian ng Pagsasanay sa Pagsasaka), abbreviated as ATI, is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Agriculture responsible for training agricultural extension workers and their clientele; conducting multi-level training programs to promote and accelerate rural development; and ensuring that research results are communicated to the farmers through appropriate training and extension activities. The ATI is ISO 9001:2000 certified.
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[edit] History
When the Department of Agriculture (DA) was reorganized in January 1987 under the Executive Order No. 116, the Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEx), the Philippine Agricultural Training Council (PATC) and the Philippine Training Centers for Rural Development (PTC-RD) merged, and paved the way for the establishment of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
The ATI started with ten training centers from the former PTC-RD when it became operational in 1987. A year after, the number of training centers nationwide rose to 26 when nine Regional Training Centers (RTC) and seven Farmers’ Training Centers (FTC) were set up.
In 1989, there was a total of 41 training centers nationwide after seven FTCs, seven Regional Fishermen’s Training Centers (RFTC) and the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH) were installed.
ATI’s role as the DA’s extension and training arm was strengthened with the Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997. But in November 1998, the RFTCs were turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Also, the FTCs were renamed Provincial Training Centers.
At present, ATI, being the extension and training arm of the Philippine Department of Agriculture, is geographically situated nationwide to be able to reach its target clientele in the agriculture and fisheries sector. It has 16 regional training centers and one international training center, with its Central Office located at Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. To wit,
- ATI-International Training Center on Pig Husbandry
- ATI - Cordillera Administrative Region
- ATI - Region I (Ilocos)
- ATI - Region II (Cagayan Valley)
- ATI - Region III (Central Luzon)
- ATI - Region IV-A (CALABARZON)
- ATI - Region IV-B (MIMAROPA)
- ATI - Region V (Bicol)
- ATI - Region VI (Western Visayas)
- ATI - Region VII (Central Visayas)
- ATI - Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
- ATI - Region IX (Western Mindanao)
- ATI - Region X (Northern Mindanao)
- ATI - Region XI (Southern Mindanao)
- ATI - Region XII (Central Mindanao)
- ATI - Region XIII (Caraga)
- ATI - ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao)
[edit] Mandates
[edit] Republic Act 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997)
- To lead in the formulation of the national Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) agenda and budget;
- To prepare an integrated plan for publicly-funded training programs in agriculture and fisheries;
- To advise the Department of Agriculture in managing financial and logistical support for AFE;
- To formulate and issue guidelines in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating AFE programs; and
- To assist the local government units extension system by improving their effectiveness and efficiency through capability building and complementary extension activities such as technical assistance, training of personnel, improvement of physical facilities, extension cum research and information support services in coordination with state universities and colleges.
[edit] Executive Order Number 116
- To train agricultural extension workers and their clientele;
- To conduct multi-level training programs to promote and accelerate rural development; and
- To ensure that research results are communicated to the farmers through appropriate training and extension activities.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture recently issued Department Order no. 3, series of 2007, designating the ATI to lead in the provision of e-extension services in collaboration with the various agencies, bureaus and organizational units of the Department of Agriculture.This is to integrate and harmonize the ICT-based extension delivery system for agriculture and fisheries. Hence, leading to the development of e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries.
[edit] Vision
Leadership excellence in agricultural technology and knowledge management for a more proactive and responsive extension service.
[edit] Mission
We coordinate diversified agricultural extension delivery system for the local government sectors and other stakeholders to facilitate the flow of information on technology and other services such as fund management, network establishment and systems for standardization and certification of extension providers that can empower the farmers and fisherfolk to become more globally competitive.
[edit] Philosophy
Adhering the quality governance in extension and training, the ATI cultivates a sense of commitment and teamwork among its employees to ensure utmost transparency, accountability and partnership in its operation and to guarantee client-oriented, gender sensitive, demand-driven, proactive and participatory interventions.
[edit] Major strategies
[edit] Needs-based extension agenda
The implementation of the National Extension Agenda and Programs (NEAP), which was anchored on the needs of technology users, aims to hasten the information flow and networking among extension providers. The NEAP also allows the possible convergence of Research and Development Programs of ATI and DA’s field units.
[edit] Access to technology and knowledge management
The ATI will soon utilize and maximize the use of cyberspace to disseminate information among Filipino farmers and fishers. Sooner, extension services and knowledge products will be accessible through the web.
[edit] Alliance building
Partnership and networking with other government agencies and some state colleges and universities will be strengthened, thus, extension and training will be regulated according to quality standards.
[edit] Resource build-up
Through fortified partnership and networking initiatives, the ATI was able to upgrade its facilities and improve its manpower. The Institute aims to sustain the richness of its linkages.
[edit] Refocused services
To make good use of its limited budget allocation, the ATI will prioritize the more urgent needs; technical services and field posts will be expanded so that more front liners can attend to the needs of the clientele. Also, extension providers will be accredited and information and communication technology will be maximized.
[edit] Professionalized work ethics
To become a model government agency, the ATI advocates a system of rewards and incentives to increase morale of personnel, encourage productivity, excellence and resourcefulness and cultivate teamwork, cooperation and camaraderie.
Incentives and awards for outstanding performance have two forms:
- Monetary in the form of pay increases, step increments, performance bonus, allowances and all forms of incentive pays as may be legally authorized.
- Non-monetary in the form of personnel growth opportunities, promotions, scholarships, compensatory day-offs, post travel time off, health insurance, work holidays, retirement ring, and similar interventions, subject to specific guidelines that shall define their systems and procedures.
To sustain its professional work ethics, ATI became an ISO 9001:2000 certified agency since December 12, 2005. It has maintained its certification up to the present year of 2008.
