The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center X successfully trained twenty-five (25) Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan during the Refresher Course on Agricultural Extension Batch 2 held on May 20–22, 2026, at ATI-RTC X Training Hall in El Salvador City.
The training aimed to enhance the critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills of the extension workers who have been in service for at least 3 years. The training is a timely initiative that comes as a solution to the shifting agricultural landscape in the Philippines with the upcoming implementation of the Mandanas Ruling, and with the rapid technological advancements requiring field workers to adapt their strategies for rural development.
The course’s core pillars focused on the Basics of Agricultural Extension, which helped extension workers anchor themselves in the foundational philosophies and principles of extension work; Strategic Communication, which equipped participants with interpersonal tools and effective methods for delivering technical information; and Modern Extension Approaches that emphasized the integration of contemporary modalities and community engagement techniques to better empower and support local farmers and fishers.
The success of the training was highly evident in the impression shared by the participants. Ms. Gea C. Idulsa, an AEW from Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
“Being both an Agricultural Extension Worker and a farmer, I truly appreciate the opportunity to participate in the training because it allowed me to connect technical knowledge with actual farming experiences. I was able to share some of the practices and techniques that I personally apply in our farm while also learning new ideas from other participants.
She highlighted how the course bridged the gap between institutional knowledge and actual field application.
The activity reminded me that practical experience and technical expertise should go hand in hand in helping farmers improve their productivity and livelihoods. I look forward to applying and sharing these learnings with the farmers in our community,” Idulsa added.
Through targeted programs like these, ATI-RTC X continues to ensure that front-line agricultural workers remain resilient, innovative and fully equipped to drive sustainable rural development across Northern Mindanao. (Karlo Jayvert R. Cardente, Technical Support Staff)
