By Kenneth Marcos 
Under the heat of a busy training ground, farmers, fishers, and trainers gathered to mark a milestone built on years of learning and service. For many in attendance, the event was not just an anniversary, but a reminder of how shared knowledge has helped families put food on the table and communities grow stronger.
Speaking at the 39th anniversary of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) on Tuesday, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro said the agency’s mission goes far beyond conducting seminars and workshops. He stressed that ATI plays a vital role in keeping a “living tradition” of passing down proven and useful knowledge that supports community survival and long-term growth.
Navarro said ATI’s work is about ensuring that practical skills and tested farming methods do not stay inside offices or textbooks. Instead, these must reach farmers and fishers in forms they can easily understand and apply in their daily work.
“Training is not just about learning new ideas,” Navarro said. “It is about making sure knowledge continues to help families earn, produce food, and sustain their communities.”
During the anniversary program, ATI also unveiled new facilities and knowledge products aimed at improving how best practices are delivered to the countryside. Navarro explained that these investments are meant to take successful techniques and refine them into usable tools for farmers and fishers.
He added that many farmers already have valuable experience, but they need clearer guidance, updated methods, and access to technology to face today’s challenges. These include rising production costs, climate risks, and changing market demands.
By turning knowledge into a shared resource, ATI hopes to help farmers improve productivity and income while reducing risks. Navarro said when information is easy to access and suited to local needs, it empowers people to make better decisions for their farms and fishing grounds.
The Agricultural Training Institute, established in 1987, serves as the training arm of the Department of Agriculture. It provides learning programs on crops, livestock, fisheries, farm mechanization, agribusiness, and climate-smart agriculture. Over the years, ATI has worked closely with local governments, state universities, and farmer groups to bring training closer to rural communities.
According to the Department of Agriculture, small farmers and fishers make up a large part of the country’s food producers. However, many remain vulnerable due to limited access to technology, credit, and updated information. Strengthening training systems is seen as one way to help address rural poverty and improve food security.
Navarro, who serves as DA Undersecretary for Operations, Agri-Fisheries Mechanization, and Rural Credit, said ATI’s role is especially important as the government pushes for modern and sustainable agriculture. Mechanization, climate adaptation, and value-adding are among the areas where farmers need steady guidance.
He also noted that knowledge-sharing should not end after training sessions. Farmers and fishers must be able to continue learning from each other and from institutions, creating a cycle where experience and innovation move hand in hand.
As ATI enters its 39th year, officials said the challenge is to keep training relevant and inclusive. The goal is to ensure that even those in far-flung areas benefit from programs that are practical, timely, and grounded in real needs.
The anniversary served as both a celebration and a reminder that building strong agriculture starts with shared knowledge, trust, and continued support for those who feed the nation.
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