As Secretary Estrella Alabastro visited the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, the secretary quoted that this is one of the nicest she have seen.
The DOST Secretary was impressed because of the wide array of information materials and the varied number of clients who used the Center which include not only farmers, but also agricultural technicians, students, entrepreneurs, and housewives. One user from the Philippine Army also requested for some materials to be used in their community outreach activities.
The FITS Center was established in April 26, 2006 and is under the Kapatagan Municipal Agriculture Office headed by Municipal Agriculture Officer Francisco Bihod and is being supervised by Fedelina Cuaresma. It is one of the 23 FITS Centers in Region 10. Its focus commodity is rice and its Magsasakang Siyentista is Fredimor Pueblos, Sr.
FITS centers are being established to give well-organized and valuable access to a wide array of information in appropriate formats related to agriculture, forestry and natural resources. It aims to empower the farmers, processors, traders and entrepreneurs by making information and technology services accessible during critical decision making on production, processing, trading and marketing activities.
Information services available at the FITS Center are technology information in print, audio-video tapes and database; access to the global information through the internet; exhibits of new technologies, products and services; production and dissemination of IEC materials; and sale of reference and information materials.
Alabastro thanked the people and Kapatagan Mayor Benjie Baguio for their support, especially in giving a big space at the Municipal Hall for the Center and for the manpower resources.
These kinds of centers help to link the clients to agricultural experts and financial institutions and technical assistance on enterprise development. [via PIA]