Regional Applied Communications
Aklan State University
The Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) opened its 39th Farmers Information and Technology Service (FITS) or Techno Pinoy Center on December 10, 2009 at the Numancia Town Hall in Poblacion, Numancia, Aklan.
Leading the launch and formally opening the farmers’ center to the public were Numancia Mayor Elverita Templonuevo who represented the local government and Dr. Alicia Lustica, Regional Technical Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who represented WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne and UPV Chancellor and RRDCC Chair Minda Formacion.
Templonuevo expressed gratitude to WESVARRDEC and its partner member institutions for the opportunities given to them."Indeed, dreams do come true. After six years, the dream of the Municipality of Numancia to have a FITS Center became a beautiful reality,” Templonuevo said.
ALL FARMERS AND RESEARCHERS ARE WELCOME (Clockwise from top left) Major stakeholders sign the memorandum of agreement;
the elevated FITS billboard prominently placed at the center's road vicinity promotes technology sharing; an extensive array of IEC materials are found in the FITS open shelves for farmers and researchers alike; and Dr. Alicia Lustica confirms WESVARRDEC's commitment to support the initiative. One center shy of forty, WESVARRDEC's 39th farmers' center launched in Numancia, Aklan extends farmers' wider access to technologies that will enhance their productivity.
Lustica likewise expressed her appreciation for the realization of the Numancia FITS Center after six years of conceptualization.
Regional Techno Gabay Team Leader Dr. Clyde Abayon headed the Aklan State University (ASU) team, the partner member agency; while Provincial Agriculturist William Castillo represented the Aklan provincial government.
Witnessing the launch were some 70 participants composed of town officials, employees of the Municipal Agriculture Office; officials from the 17 barangays of Numancia; FITS managers from Nabas and Altavas and their staff; and officers and members of farmers’ and women’s organizations in Numancia.
Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator Dr. Anna Mae Relingo presented the Techno Gabay Program, followed by the signing of Memorandum of Agreement between the two entities.
Vice-president for Research and Extension Dr. Roberto L. Saladar, representing the president of Aklan State University, stressed on the opportunities and directions on the role of the university as partner member agency and its commitment to support the LGU Numancia through the FITS Center.
Sought to be the source of information and technology services to help farmers, entrepreneurs and clients in enhancing their products and technology, FITS Numancia is set to become a service delivery system providing accessibility and availability of information for both experts and farmers.
Numancia counts vermicast as its primary commodity and high-value vegetables as its secondary commodities.
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