THE Davao City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO) Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center was awarded FITS Center of the Year during the recently concluded Techno-Gabay Summit para sa mga Magniniyog on October 8–9.
The FITS Center of the Year award is given to the best FITS Center in the region through the Agricultural Trading Institute (ATI) division of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Fritzie Coloso, Acting Head of CAgrO’s FITS, said in an interview with the City Information Office that part of the ATI’s criteria during the search for the best FITS Center in the region include the accomplishments of the center as well as its best practices.
CAgrO’s FITS Center oversees the information dissemination to farmers on recent agricultural studies and technologies.
“We have different technologies from different agencies especially from the DA as well as results from recent studies. Through FITS, we are able to inform the farmers about these innovations,” she said.
One of the best practices of the center is the repackaging of Information Education Campaign
(IEC) materials such as brochures containing guidelines in planting that are distributed to farmers.
These IEC materials are produced by the center and are repackaged to better serve Dabawenyo farmers. These materials are also translated to Cebuano.
In 2023, the FITS Center was able to produce 17,984 copies of IEC materials distributed during Barangay Caravans. A total of 14,328 copies of IEC materials were distributed to walk-in clients, barangay caravans, trainings, expos, and exhibits.
The official Facebook Page of the CAgrO where all information on their projects, activities, and programs are posted is maintained by the center.
Coloso said that other than the distribution of IEC materials, the center also helps promote other programs and activities for farmers.
“We collaborate with the farm, engineering, and fisheries division of the City Agri to cascade these developments to the farmers,” she said.
During the summit, CAgrO also received the Best FITS Poster, Best in Social Media Innovatives for Agri-Fishery, and Best in Knowledge Products Development awards.
Dabawenyo farmers are urged to reach out to CAgrO’s main office and district offices for assistance as well as to avail of their free services.
The CAgrO’s FITS Center will continue to enhance their services to further improve information dissemination to Dabawenyo farmers. CIO
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