THE Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) has certified the Negros First Organic Technology Center (NFOTC) in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City as a learning site for integrated and diversified organic farming.
This is the first time that a training institute in Western Visayas has been certified with such title.
ATI - Western Visayas Center director Eden Bautista yesterday turned over the copy of the certification to the personnel of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) during a consultative meeting of city and municipal agriculturists in the province at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.
The certification has a five-year effectivity period from August 2018 to August 2023.
Provincial supervising agriculturist Dina Genzolasaid the certification further enables the provincial-government run facility to conduct trainings, especially on organic agriculture, and implement other programs aimed at developing the agriculture industry of Negros Occidental.
The certification also means that ATI can provide assistance to improve the facilities of the training center, Genzola said.
“We are also pushing for the accreditation of the center with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda),” she said, adding that they are collaborating with the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center for the provision of more trainings.
OPA already has training managers and is scheduled to conduct training for students on September 10.
“This learning site is really a big boost to our local agriculture sector as it provides access to education among our farmers,” Genzola added.
In January this year, the provincial government unveiled the NFOTC positioned to further boost organic production in the province.
Aside from being a training venue for organic practitioners, the facility situated near the Negros First Rice Processing Center also serves as a production area for various organic commodities including crops, and poultry and livestock animals.