In the pursuit of strengthening the competency of the newly hired Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in Region 1, the Agricultural Training Institute in Ilocos Region conducted a ladderized training to improve their functional and technical competencies as field extensionists. This is the Training on Extension Delivery System with two (2) phases -Phase 1 dubbed as Learning Extension in Agriculture and Fisheries (LEAF) while Phase 2 as Scaling-up Extension Endeavors towards Development and Sustainability (SEEDS) in Agriculture.
Phase 1 or LEAF is a basic training to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) of the newly hired AEWs on the fundamentals of extension while Phase 2 or SEEDS in Agriculture is scaling-up the knowledge, skills and attitude acquired in Phase 1 through a community immersion and experiential learning activities.
Phase 1. The Learning Extension in Agriculture and Fisheries (LEAF) was conducted on March 20-24, 2023 at ATI-RTC 1, Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan with 25 participants from the different LGUs of Region 1. Learning the fundamentals of extension, the five-day training revolved on the basics of extension delivery system to include the introduction to agricultural extension system, design and implementation of training programs, and how to become effective presenter and facilitator. A microteaching was done to demonstrate participants’ knowledge and skills on how to deliver lectures.
Phase 2. The Scaling-up Extension Endeavors towards Development and Sustainability (SEEDS) in Agriculture was held on April 10-14, 2023. With the concept of community immersion, the 20 AEWs were deployed in farming communities in Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan to provide them full experiential learning that focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify their values as extensionists. The participants lived with host families for three (3) days to experience farm activities and to reflect on the plight of farmers in poverty.
The participants also conducted community observation, interviews and focus group discussions with farmers, rural women and youth to gather information, identify problems and needs of the community. During the last day of the training, the participants presented and shared their experiences and reflections in living with the host families; their involvement in farm activities; and information gathered from the community. Their presentations were given critical feedbacks by the panel from ATI-RTC 1 emphasizing that their experiences and every valuable learning they have gained should serve as the driving force to be committed AEWs especially in helping farmers move out from poverty.
The community immersion was conducted with the support and assistance of the Municipal Agriculture Office of Sto. Tomas and the whole Local Government Unit.
Dr. Rogelio Evangelista expressed his support during the closing program that the EDS journey should continue through a Phase 3 that will focus on thinking and designing solutions of the identified problems in the community through a Training on Project Proposal Preparation. Ms. Joson, project officer, committed to conceptualize and implement the training within the year.
The participants of these training are likened to seeds planted to sprout and bring prosperity in communities.
