Participants enjoy the Johari Window activity.

NABUA, Camarines Sur- A five-day Basic Agricultural Extension Course held at Nabua, Camarines Sur from April 21–25, 2025, equipped 21 newly-hired Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from across the region with essential competencies in extension work. The course aimed to strengthen their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior for effective delivery of agriculture and fisheries services tailored to local community needs.

The training opened with a pre-test and an engaging session on personal awareness and self-mastery, facilitated by Dr. Niña Salve King-Bañas, Education Program Specialist II of the Department of Education- Camarines Sur. Her interactive discussions explored tools such as the Johari Window, Multiple Intelligences, MBTI, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Mr. Marjhan Ramboyong, ATI Bicol Media Production Specialist and Project Officer, led the second day with a discussion on the philosophy and history of agricultural extension, followed by Mr. Michael Villezar, ATI Bicol Information Officer II, who discussed on present-day extension challenges. Mr. Christian Tosoc, ATI Bicol Media Production Specialist, capped the day with interpersonal communication techniques crucial for fieldwork.

The third day introduced participants to modern extension strategies and innovations through Ms. Nida A. Hagos-Garcia, ATI Bicol Planning Officer II, followed by ATI Bicol Assistant Center Director Dr. Emmanuel Orogo who discussed participatory methods and community organizing.

On day four, Center Director Elsa A. Parot delivered a lecture on the history and practices of community organizing, followed by Ms. Justine Rose Tubig’s session on effective community engagement. The day concluded with a homestay immersion briefing.

Participants spent the night with host families, returning on the fifth day to share reflections, finalize re-entry plans, and complete post-training evaluations. Outputs included detailed homestay journals, daily logs, and personalized action plans to implement newly acquired skills in their localities.

Participants described the course as timely, relevant, and inspiring. To reinforce and expand their competencies, a second-level training on advanced social mobilization is set for 2026.