20 agricultural extension workers pay attention to the resource speaker

CENTRAL VISAYAS. 20 agricultural extension workers (AEW) from various local government units in Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor have participated in a training on “Think Before You Click: Training on Infographics” last May 23-25, 2023. The training, which was hosted by ATI-7 Training Complex in Cabawan District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, aimed to cultivate development-oriented perspectives and functional capabilities among agricultural extension workers for sustainable agricultural development.

The three-day training covered various topics such as lay-outing and basic principles of designs, the basics of photoshop, how to use online tool in IEC development, and crafting a viable re-entry plan. At the end of the training, participants were expected to be able to create their own IEC materials using photoshop and Canva. Two experts from the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center 7, May Joy P. Luzon and Rhea Kristene Q. Bongcac, served as resource persons during the three-day training.

For Louis Jun Daga-ang, an AEW of LGU-Sevilla, Bohol, the training was very informative, especially in today's age of social media where information is primarily distributed through the internet. "This training and learnings that I have acquired will be used to create IEC's and other materials to disseminate more information to farmers and fisherfolks," Daga-ang said.

Nicole Ness Jecca Carin, Information Officer of the Provincial Agriculture Office in Negros Oriental, shared that the various strategies on IEC, photoshop, and Canva taught in the training would help AEWs mold and use their knowledge on creating IEC materials. "I hope this would apply to future use and help our co-workers in order to achieve a positive outcome," Carin added.

Similarly, Nicole Jimmy Ybañez, an Information Officer from DA-RFO 7 in Cebu City, expressed gratitude towards ATI for the opportunity to participate in an educational and informative training. "As an information officer, I could already communicate better and disseminate information using infographics through utilizing photoshop and Canva that was taught by ATI," Ybañez said.

Overall, the training not only equipped the participants with technical skills but also helped them communicate better and disseminate information more effectively to their target audience. This was evident through their respective training outputs, where they have created their IECs using the tools introduced to them. As AEW, the knowledge and skills they have acquired would be highly beneficial in promoting sustainable agricultural development in their respective areas.