CORTES, Bohol, Aug. 1 (PIA) -- Twenty-three information officers and members of the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO) in Bohol completed a day-long training on micro-blogging and video blogging and immersion in two agricultural learning sites on July 29 and 30, 2020.

The activity was organized by the government's premier agricultural training arm, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-7) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), in two batches to comply with the minimum number of training participants to easily implement physical distancing measures.

The Blogger's Forum was conducted at the Jolit's Eco Farm in Cambacay Batuan and Iyaah Eco Farm in San Isidro District, Tagbilaran City.

GATHERING INFORMATION. Having completed the micro-blogging training, information officer members of AUDIO in Bohol observe how Jolit's Eco Farm owner Jomar Balag, an agriculture integrated pest management graduate and expert, rids his farm of mosquitoes even if he keeps ponds to maintain the temperature of his garden. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Organized in partnership with AUDIO as supervised by the Philippine Information Agency, the Blogger's Forum aimed to capacitate information officers to maximize pro-active information dissemination channels now that people have turned to the internet for their information needs.

Conducted at a time when most Boholanos have resorted to agriculture and farming in a bid to boost the island's food security and sustainability, empowering the province's information officers with blogging and video blogging (vlogging) skills is AUDIO and the ATI's attempt to explore the social media platforms in spreading good news about Bohol and its efforts on food sufficiency in the time of the pandemic.

On the other hand, with the ATI actively accrediting Agricultural Learning Centers where people interested in agriculture and their technologies can basically go to these sites to learn and have hands-on exercises in adopting the technologies, spreading word about these sites can help direct Boholanos to these learning sites especially those that focus on sustainable organic agriculture.

"It is a great help," said Department of Agrarian Reform Information Officer Ma. Lydia Bantugan during a post-training sharing.

Leading Bohol blogger Juriz Dugaduga handled the topic on micro-blogging while Travel 29 content creator video and photographer Rowell Clenuar handled the vlogging topic.

While most information officers in Bohol handle more tasks delegated to them in their respective municipalities and agencies, a working understanding on micro-blogging and vlogging can even extend their capacities as information disseminators and make them more productive.

ATI information Officer Doris Isabel Racho, who represented ATI Regional Director and Training Center Superintendent Dr. Carolyn Mae Daquio, also shared how training like this can help them do their mandates in agricultural information.

"Putting the training in two venues also allows us to put information officers in these ATI accredited agricultural learning centers so they can bring out the word about such places identified and certified as learning sites for those interested in adopting specific agricultural technologies," she said.

At Jolit's Eco Farm, information officer bloggers joined farm owner Jomar Balag in a tour at his integrated diversified organic farm with stingless bees as pollinators contributing some 30 percent to 40 percent of the farm's productivity.

The farm started with cutflower, then built a name in aquaculture and is now into several more diversifications including Asian turtles, fruits and vegetables as well as smart integration of techniques that make his farm one of the most densely packed learning centers.

At Iyaah Eco Farm in Tagbilaran City, owners Robert and Brenda Olaer showed the information officers their Integrated diversified Organic Farm that is now into broccoli production, lime, passion fruit, and other exotic fruits.

The farm, according to the Olaers, also feature organic swine production and fattening and greenhouse herbs in a farm that adapted to the hilly landscapes of San Isidro. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)