BUTUAN CITY – In relation to Executive Order No. 138. Series of 2021 known as the “Full Devolution of Certain Functions of the Executive Branch to Local Governments”, a provincial consultation workshop for FY 2025 Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) needs was conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII on March 7, 2023.

The activity aims to ensure plans and programs to be undertaken by the institute are need-based at the local level and come from the grassroots of the community. Specifically, it strived to inform the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the Policy Framework and Trust and Priorities of the Institute.

Moreover, the consultation workshop was attended by the Municipal Agriculturists, Municipal Veterinarians, Provincial Agriculturist, representatives from the LGUs, PhilRice – Agusan Experiment Station, Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga Region, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and Caraga State University (CSU).

“The agriculture sector is assured to have full support, especially the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs). We need to capacitate and continuously develop and enhance the skills of our AEWs. Through this, ATI will continue to support and hopefully, the institute could give what the LGUs truly need,” said Jessie V. Beldia, OIC-Center Director of ATI-RTC XIII.

As a result, the priority extension needs of the devolved extension functions of the LGUs were reported and gathered including the issues, concerns, and recommendations of the different stakeholders.