Koronadal City, South Cotabato—The third day of the Basic Agricultural Extension Course for Agricultural Extension Workers in Region XII and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao shifted focus toward community engagement and field immersion. Facilitated by Johnny H. Pasaquian, the session emphasized the necessity of building strong partnerships as a foundation for effective extension services. The discussion covered the processes of community organizing, which include stakeholder identification, the use of participatory approaches, and the empowerment of local farmers within development initiatives.

Following the lecture, participants were deployed to Barangay Mabini for a hands-on community immersion. This activity provided the extension workers with experience in engaging directly with farming households to understand their socio-economic conditions and identify specific agricultural needs. A total of twelve host families provided the venue for this interaction, allowing the participants to observe local practices and apply the communication and data-gathering techniques discussed during the classroom session.

This field-based activity serves as a primary method for refining the facilitation skills required by extension professionals. By integrating theoretical knowledge with direct field application, the training ensures that participants are prepared to address the practical challenges faced by farmers. This approach contributes to the development of more responsive extension services, ultimately supporting the improvement of agricultural productivity and the socio-economic well-being of the local farming communities involved.