Expanding Agri-Services: ATI MIMAROPA Establishes FITS Kiosk at Kaluppâ Foundation in Marinduque

18 October 2026 | Rafael Seño

Kaluppâ Integrated Farm is now home to Marinduque’s newest ATI-established FITS Kiosk, opening free access to vital agricultural technology, learning guides, and expert extension resources for local farmers, youth, and agri-enthusiasts.

SANTA CRUZ, MARINDUQUE — In a major effort to bring modern agricultural knowledge and technologies closer to rural communities, the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) MIMAROPA officially established a Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Kiosk at Kaluppâ Foundation Inc. on October 16, 2026.

This launch marks the establishment of the second FITS Kiosk in the entire province of Marinduque, serving as an on-site satellite hub for agricultural knowledge, technical advisories, and community capacity building.

Empowering the Next Generation: Kaluppâ scholars and youth agri-enthusiasts display free agricultural technology brochures and production guides available at the FITS Kiosk.

Knowledge at Your Fingertips: A wide array of free IEC materials, covering crop production, urban agriculture, natural pest management, and coconut farming, on display for visitors.

Active Learning Hub: Community members and scholars utilization area at the newly established Kaluppâ FITS Kiosk, accessing agricultural reference materials and research tools.

From Learning Site to Community Information Hub

The installation of the FITS Kiosk at Kaluppâ Foundation represents a natural extension of the facility's growing role in regional rural development. Established in 2022 in Barangay Pantayin, Santa Cruz, the foundation has rapidly built a strong operational track record across technical-vocational education, sustainable agriculture, and community empowerment.

In early 2024, DA-ATI officially certified Kaluppâ as a Coconut-Based Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA). That same year, the foundation earned double recognition from DA-ATI MIMAROPA, receiving the Most Visited Farm (LSA1 Category) award and the prestigious Community Hero Award.

Installing an official FITS Kiosk on-site builds directly upon this foundation. As Assistant Center Director Jayson N. Erondo highlighted during his message at the launch:

"Alam ko na this is an additional task sa inyo na Learning Site for Agriculture, but sabi nga ay hindi naman tayo tumatanggi pagdating sa pagbibigay ng services, particularly sa ating mga farmers, agri-enthusiasts, at youth, kung saan itong mga FITS Kiosk na ating ine-establish ay magsisilbing community-level satellite office information hub... aside doon sa ating technologies bilang mga learning site."

Building the Foundation: Kaluppâ Foundation receives its official accreditation from DA-ATI MIMAROPA as a Coconut-Based Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA 1) in 2024.

Recognized for Impact: The Kaluppâ team receives the Most Visited Farm (LSA 1 Category) and Community Hero awards at the 2024 ATI-MIMAROPA LSA/TGP Achievers Night in Calapan.

Expanding Extension Services: ATI MIMAROPA Assistant Center Director Jayson N. Erondo delivers his message during the virtual launch ceremony for the FITS Kiosk installation.

Expanding Access: What the FITS Kiosk Offers

Operating under the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) framework, the newly installed FITS Kiosk acts as a physical and digital bridge between agricultural research institutions and local end-users.

Located within the Kaluppâ Integrated Farm, the kiosk offers free, open-access resources to scholars, alumni, smallholder farmers, youth, and local residents:

Printed IEC Materials & Publications: On-site distribution of practical farming guides, commodity production manuals (covering crops like tomato, corn, velvet beans, and onion), organic fertilizer preparation guides, natural pest management sheets, and livestock advisories.
Digital Learning & Research Support: Equipped with ICT infrastructure—including a dedicated laptop, printing/scanning equipment, and Internet connection—to assist scholars and local farmers in accessing online agricultural modules and real-time market or weather updates.
Technical Guidance & Orientation: On-site assistance provided by trained Kaluppâ staff and TVET instructors to guide visitors through modern agricultural technologies, seed care, and nursery operations.

To fund the setup, ATI MIMAROPA provided an ₱80,000.00 project grant. Kaluppâ Foundation complemented this by committing an institutional counterpart fund of ₱20,000.00, bringing the total project budget to ₱100,000.00 to guarantee that all procured equipment and facilities meet high commercial and operational standards for long-term community benefit.

The FITS Kiosk at Kaluppâ Foundation puts easy-to-understand learning materials directly into the hands of local farmers, scholars, and community members. Visitors can browse practical guides on crop care, natural pest management, and soil preparation to take home actionable agricultural solutions tailored to their needs.

The display tables serve as an interactive meeting point where learners of all ages gather to compare techniques and explore modern farming practices. This collaborative setup allows young scholars and local farmers alike to build confidence, upgrade skills, and adopt sustainable methods together.

By offering free, open access to verified extension resources, the kiosk acts as a lasting catalyst for local development. Equipping residents with reliable knowledge strengthens individual farm yields while supporting broader food security and sustainable growth across the province.

Empowering Farmers, Youth, and Agri-Enthusiasts

While traditional agricultural extension services primarily target established farm operators, the FITS Kiosk installed at Kaluppâ is structured to be fully inclusive.

As a registered TESDA Technical Vocational Institution (TVI) offering programs in Agricultural Crops Production NC II, Agroentrepreneurship NC II, Barista NC II, and Organic Agricultural Production NC II, Kaluppâ integrates the kiosk directly into its daily academic and extension operations.

Young scholars, micro-entrepreneurs, and local youth agri-enthusiasts can now drop by the facility to gather study materials, consult technical publications, and learn about sustainable practices such as vermicomposting, nursery care, and natural farming inputs, among others.

Hands-On Agricultural Learning: Kaluppâ scholars review free farming technology guides along the farm deck, exploring modern crop management practices.

Collaborative Learning Spaces: Scholars and local youth gather in one of Kaluppâ’s designated outdoor study areas to review learning materials and discuss sustainable techniques together.

Grassroots Knowledge Sharing: TESDA agri trainees browse through agricultural technology guides, selecting commodity production manuals to apply on their own farms.

Visit the FITS Kiosk at Kaluppâ

All members of the community—whether you are a seasoned farmer seeking technical solutions, a student conducting agricultural research, or a home gardener eager to learn—are warmly invited to visit!

Location: Kaluppâ Integrated Farm, Barangay Pantayin, Santa Cruz, Marinduque
Available Services: Free Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, technology guides, and agricultural consultation support
Contact & Inquiries: Reach us via email at hello@kaluppa.org or visit our Facebook page.

Images from Kaluppâ Foundation and ATI MIMAROPA