Focused on equipping participants with essential competencies for effective agricultural extension, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA conducted its first Basic Agricultural Extension Course (BAEC) at Café Hall B, ATI-RTC MIMAROPA, Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, May 28–June 1, 2024.
The five-day training course offered for the first time in the MIMAROPA region was attended by 26 participants, 21 of whom were new Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from Mindoro Provinces, Romblon, and Marinduque. Most of the participants had 0–3 years of experience and had not attended any training related to agricultural extension. Also, five participants were technical staff of ATI-MIMAROPA who were all trained to appreciate their role as extension workers and to hone their basic skills to perform their community work effectively.
Highlights of the training included discussions on the basics of agricultural extension and the different extension modalities employed to achieve successful knowledge transfer once they are back in the field. The course also consisted of exposure to the reality of community work through interacting with the farmers, which helped them identify the challenges faced by the locale and suggest interventions by preparing doable action plans.
Moreover, the participants were given opportunity to demonstrate their communication skills while engaging with stakeholders and facilitating community involvement as part of applying their learnings
“This is really a new experience for me, itong basic agricultural extension course ay napakagandang course para sa mga extension workers lalong lalo na doon sa mga bago pa lang, marami pang matututunan at malalaman sa larangan ng extension work. I realized na community work is not an easy task, so parang biglang iba ‘yung field na extension work,” said Mr. Jethro T. Masangkay, Supervising Agriculturist, Office of the Municipal Agriculturist of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.
Mr. Masangkay added that due to the evolving fields of technology and agriculture, an AEW should learn and adapt to these changes. He found this training course meaningful because it provides new and relevant information that he can apply in the field.
