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Heavy
rains did not deter the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture and Resources
Program (VICARP) to push through with the K-AgriNet consultation
and operational planning workshop at the Leyte State University
(LSU) in Baybay, Leyte, on Feb. 8–9.
The
workshop gave the regional consortium and other local key players
a chance to level off, consult, and plan together about the region’s
commodity focus, information and communications technology (ICT)
needs, and implementation strategies.
Through
the PCARRD-led e-Consortia and e-Farm of the K-AgriNet, VICARP’s
ICT capability will be strengthened to enhance the delivery of S&T
information and technologies to farming communities.
Specifically
for Region 8, VICARP’s area, strengthened will be five Farmers’
Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers in the following
municipalities: Calbayog City, Western Samar; Baybay, Leyte; Borongan,
Eastern Samar; Liloan, Southern Leyte; and Capoocan, Leyte. The
magsasaka-siyentista (farmer-scientists) in these centers will also
be trained on ICT.
A video
conference linked the LSU event with PCARRD officials, led by Executive
Director Patricio S. Faylon, who relayed his thoughts and concerns
on strategizing for a successful execution of the K-AgriNet.
Video
conferencing is becoming a common tool in the conduct of meetings
among officials of the regional consortia and PCARRD, allowing face-to-face
interaction without traveling to the regions.
Some
40 participants joined the two-day activity, organized and coordinated
by PCARRD and VICARP. They were mostly managers of the FITS centers,
officers of the Regional Applied Communication Offices, coordinators
of the Regional Management Information System, farmer-scientists,
and representatives from Leyte’s local government units, PCARRD,
and VICARP. (Mercy B. Sisteberio, S&T Media Service)
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