The MMSU Extension Directorate (ED) was chosen as one of the awardees in the Sambayanang Itinataguyod ang Kaalamang Agrikultura at Pangisdaan (SIKAP) bestowed by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center in Region 1 (ATI-RTC 1) in recognition of its long-standing support to the agency’s projects and activities in line with agriculture and fisheries development.

Extension Director Aris Reynold Cajigal who received the award at ATI’s office in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan last March 7 said the award was one of the few awards bestowed to a government agency which is a member of the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Extension Network (RAFEN).

“In previous years until now, we are very active in co-implementing the projects and activities that benefit the agriculture and fisheries sector,” Dr. Cagijal said.

One of the contributions of the ED in enhancing partnership with the ATI-RTC 1 was the airing of various garlic production technologies in its school-on-the-air (SOA) program over DWFB Radio Pilipinas in Laoag City. In December 2016, 885 farmers from the garlic producing towns of Ilocos Norte graduated.

The ED is also one of the implementers of the on-going convergence project in Brgy. Sto. Niño, Nueva Era, where each RAFEN member-agency in Ilocos Norte implements its own projects and technologies to uplift the quality of life of the community.

“We are currently implementing the dispersal of sheep, goat, rice seeds, and ginger seed stocks to selected residents of Brgy. Sto. Niño,” Dr. Cajigal said, adding that most of the recipients are indigenous people who have little means of livelihood.

In the previous SIKAP awards, ATI included local government units (LGUs) in Region 1, but this year, the agency included the outstanding partner-agencies of the RAFEN. This is the first time that the MMSU Extension Directorate received the award.