LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – The Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) is expected to expand to four more provinces in the Caraga region this year after it was piloted in Agusan del Norte in the 2021. This was revealed during the PAFES emergency meeting held on January 31, 2022 via Google Meet.

Among the agenda discussed was the presentation of PAFES Regional Accomplishment, FY 2022 Regional Plan, Proposed PAFES Implementation and Institutionalization, F2C2 & PAFES Integration, and other matters.

In the implementation phase, DA will lead in identifying activities and will closely coordinate with ATI for the administrative concerns and budgetary requirements since Php 89.3 million is expected to be downloaded to ATI for the preparatory activities and training programs under PAFES. The DA Regional Field Offices will furnish ATI Regional Training Centers with the necessary documents as the latter’s basis for the procurement of goods and services.

The PAFES is third of the 18 Key Strategies of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The purpose of which is to strengthen the collaboration between DA, local government units, academe, and private sector to bring extension services to the grassroots level. With PAFES, the province serves as an extension hub that synchronizes agricultural plans and programs as well as orchestrates the activities of the various stakeholders. DA will co-plan, co-invest, co-implement, and co-monitor priority projects in the provinces, particularly as they embark on commodity specializations to maximize comparative advantage.

The remaining provinces in the region where PAFES will be implemented include Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI).