Agricultural Training Institute (Philippines)
| Surian ng Pagsasanay sa Pagsasaka | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | January 30, 1987 |
| Headquarters | ATI Building, Elliptical Road, Vasra, Quezon City 1100, Philippines |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Department of Agriculture |
| Website |
www |
The Philippines' Agricultural Training Institute (Filipino: Surian ng Pagsasanay sa Pagsasaka, abbreviated as ATI), is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Agriculture responsible for training agricultural extension workers and their clientele; conducting multi-level training programs to promote and accelerate rural development; and ensuring that research results are communicated to the farmers through appropriate training and extension activities.
History
When the Department of Agriculture (DA) was reorganized in January 1987 under the Executive Order No. 116, the Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEx), the Philippine Agricultural Training Council (PATC) and the Philippine Training Centers for Rural Development (PTC-RD) merged, and paved the way for the establishment of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
The ATI started with ten training centers from the former PTC-RD when it became operational in 1987. A year after, the number of training centers nationwide rose to 26 when nine Regional Training Centers (RTC) and seven Farmers’ Training Centers (FTC) were set up.
In 1989, there was a total of 41 training centers nationwide after seven FTCs, seven Regional Fishermen’s Training Centers (RFTC) and the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH) were installed.
ATI’s role as the DA’s extension and training arm was strengthened with the Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997. But in November 1998, the RFTCs were turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Also, the FTCs were renamed Provincial Training Centers.
At present, ATI, being the extension and training arm of the Philippine Department of Agriculture, is geographically situated nationwide to be able to reach its target clientele in the agriculture and fisheries sector. It has 16 regional training centers and one international training center, with its Central Office located at Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Mandates
Republic Act 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997)
- To lead in the formulation of the national Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) agenda and budget;
- To prepare an integrated plan for publicly funded training programs in agriculture and fisheries;
- To advise the Department of Agriculture in managing financial and logistical support for AFE;
- To formulate and issue guidelines in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating AFE programs; and
- To assist the local government units extension system by improving their effectiveness and efficiency through capability building and complementary extension activities such as technical assistance, training of personnel, improvement of physical facilities, extension cum research and information support services in coordination with state universities and colleges.
Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Thematic Programs
Enhancing Access to Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Knowledge Products and Services
The e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries, The Farmers' Contact Center (FCC), Nutrient Manager for Rice Mobile—a toll free messaging service of the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the International Rice Research Institute
Expanding Partnerships in Advancing Excellence in Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Delivery
4-H Development Program for the Youth in Agriculture and Fisheries
Major Services
Technical Assistance to Rural-based Organizations
RIC-HEEAP Entrepreneurial Projects as well as conduct of consultative meetings and other forms of technical assistance
Scholarship Programs
Youth in Agriculture and Fisheries Program and Expanded Human Resource Development Program YAFP Program Mechanics [2]
The scholarship program shall cover Bachelor's Degree related to agriculture, fisheries and other agriculture-related courses through schools/universities/institutions as approved by the ATI Capability Building Committee; and the scholar shall study on a full-time basis.
Eligibility Requirements for Scholarship
He/She must be a son/daughter of a bonafide small-scale farmer/fisherfolk; With parents/guardians having a gross annual income of not more than Php 120,000; Not more than 30 years old at the time of application to the program; The applicant must not have been a delinquent scholar of a previous scholarship. A delinquent scholar is one who already enjoyed a scholarship but was unable to complete the program with no justifiable reason; He/She must be willing to apply in the field of specialization that conforms with the DA-ATI priority agriculture-related commodity/discipline; and He/She must have passed the entrance/qualifying examination prescribed by the university/college where he/she intends to enroll.
EHRDP Program Mechanics [3]
Coverage of the EHRDP Advanced Degree Courses on: Agriculture and Fisheries; Food Science; Veterinary Medicine; Environmental Science and Management; Forestry and Natural Resources; and Other Agriculture-Related Field Specialized Courses Short-Term Course Work for Special Skills (e.g., Post-Baccalaureate Diploma Course) as approved by the ATI Capability Building Committee Dissertation or research as a requirement for Doctorate Degree Educational Tour/Field Visits
Non-Degree Courses Local and international non-degree courses shall be offered to the Department of Agriculture (DA), Local Government Units (LGUs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and to other practitioners in agriculture and fisheries.
Eligibility Requirements for EHRDP Scholarships
Advanced Degree Courses
The candidate should have rendered service for at least two (2) years in the Department and/or bureau/attached agency/office as a permanent employee thereof; The candidate should be nominated by the Scholarship and Training Committee and endorsed by the Agency Head; The candidate must not have been awarded any degree or non-degree grants during the last year for local scholarships; He/she must have at least a satisfactory rating for two (2) consecutive rating periods immediately preceding the date of nomination; The candidate must be in good health, as certified by a Physician; The candidate should not exceed the age limit of 45 years old for Master’s degree and 50 years old for Ph.D.; The candidate must not have pending criminal/administrative case; The candidate must meet the requirements for admission to the state colleges and universities and other accredited private institutions where he intends to study. Specialized Courses For Specialized Courses, the eligibility requirements are the same with that of the Advanced Degree Courses. In addition, those applying for dissertation/research grant shall submit the abstract of his/her proposed dissertation/research.