By Lord Ian Galano, Contributor

Farming communities in Badoc, Ilocos Norte can now have more access to innovations in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources with the opening of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) center in the town on March 3. 

The center was established by the local government unit of Badoc, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the Ilocos Norte Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC), and the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 1. 

MMSU serves as the consortium’s partner member-agency which shall monitor and assist in the operation of the information and technology services hub.

Located at the Badoc Municipal Agriculture Office, the one-stop shop contains various information, education and communication (IEC) materials and information and communication technology (ICT) tools developed by the ILAARRDEC member-institutions. These can be accessed by all farmers, traders, processors, and entrepreneurs in the town. It also offers technical consultation and other forms of assistance. 

The launching was led by Badoc Vice Mayor Alwyn Rubio, who, in behalf of Mayor Maximo Cajigal, thanked the agencies for bringing their services and technologies that help uplift the lives of local farmers and fisherfolk. He also assured the support of the local government in the development endeavor. 

The event was witnessed by municipal councilors Mary Pauline Lacuesta and Jayson Rubio, OIC Municipal Agriculture Officer Renante Cayme, Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator Alladin Carbonnel Tabo, and representatives from the implementing agencies: Dr. Sherlyn Nicolas, Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal and Dr. Marilou Lucas of ILAARRDEC and MMSU, Dr. Maricel Dacapias of ATI-RTC1, and Ms. Melda Agpuldo of the Department of Education Division Office. Also present were barangay captains and farmer leaders in Badoc. 

The establishment of FITS centers in localities is among the extension modalities of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources that started in 1999 and transferred to ATI in 2009 by virtue of Executive Order 801, series of 2009. 

To date, there are already 18 FITS centers in the province and 83 in the Ilocos region. (HLY/JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)