BAYBAY CITY, Leyte - Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) are one of the most valuable resources in the agricultural sector. Being at the forefront in dealing with farmers, they play a vital role in the implementation of various programs, projects, and activities. Thus, relevant soft skills are beneficial for AEWs to effectively deliver extension services to the grassroots most importantly in the transfer of knowledge and skills between AEWs and farmers.
Being resource persons during training is one of the many roles AEWs play at the farmer-level. Thus, ATI-RTC 8 aims to enhance and develop their skills that would, later on, be beneficial to farmers as well. On August 30, 2022, ATI-RTC 8 conducted the Resource Person Development Training. It is an upscaling course that will utilize the participants’ learnings from previously conducted technology-based training. This is to ensure that the AEWs not only know what to teach the farmers but are also equipped in facilitating the transfer of technology effectively.
AEWs were taught about their tasks as speakers, in selection and development of topics, becoming good communicators, being interactive in discussions, and creating effective instructional materials. Their skills were tested during a micro-teaching workshop conducted on the last day of the training.
Henry Napoles, an Agriculturist from Albuera, Leyte, has been conducting lectures in different barangays for many times. “The topics we used in our microteaching were already used in our past lectures. However, this training helped me discover that there are lots of things to be improved as a resource person.”
“I realized that in conducting lectures to our farmers and clients, it is not just simply talking to them, shared Cecil Cebreros, one of the training’s participants who is also a veterinarian. “We must be mindful with our words and gestures, listen to them, and must be knowledgeable with our topic.” During the training, Cecil observed the active participation and interaction between the speakers and facilitators with the participants making the environment lively and not boring. For her, she somehow felt pressure from the training but she quoted, “Pressure is what transforms a lot of coal into a diamond.”
Twenty-one (21) participants attended the Resource Person Development Training on August 30-September 2, 2022 at ATI-RTC 8, VSU, Baybay City, Leyte. By the end of the training, participants were expected to effectively serve as resource persons.
With confidence and hope, Aldwen Ayo from Matag-ob, Leyte shared, “During this training, I developed my confidence and courage while feeling motivated. I am hoping that when I get home, I can work more effectively than before.”
