Baybay City, Leyte – Aging farmers, fewer agricultural extension workers, and less youth interested in farming are just some of the sad realities in the agricultural industry. The fast turnover of AEWs in Eastern Visayas prods ATI RTC 8 to continue developing the AEWs’ knowledge and skills in extension delivery system. Few for now but strong in terms of knowledge and skills delivery to farmers will do the task just the same.
ATI RTC 8 conducted the training on Extension Delivery System (batch 1) to equip the participants with the basic knowledge and skills in extension delivery. During the training, Resource Persons for the training were Prof. Milagros C. Bales and Ms. Anna Martha Monsanto of the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension of the Visayas State University. They discussed the basics and trends of agricultural extension, identified, and described the key players in agricultural extension; explained the different approached, strategies and methods of agricultural extension; and guided participants in crafting an extension plan. ISS staff Ms. Melinda Petalcorin and Ms. Jonalyn Saulan served as resource persons for topics in communication. Participants were also updated on PAFES matters in the region as shared by Mr. Dalamacio Pajanustan, Asst. Center Director of ATI RTC 8.
John Paul Pace, a participant from OPA-Leyte, shared, “This training is an opportunity for us, as an agricultural extension agent, to become more effective, efficient to convey to our clients the new ideas, trends, and technologies in agriculture. And mostly, how to perform well in the field.” He appreciated the 5-day training and lessons imparted to them.
Ms. Mildred Bregildo of LGU-Inopacan was thankful to have attended the training. She enthused, “I learned so much and have become appreciative of extension work I realized that “we” are the bloodline in the agricultural value chain. You (ATI and resource persons) inspire us to do better, to extend more, and to become an excellent extensionist.”
As an output of the training, the participants developed an extension plan which they will implement in their respective municipalities. The CPD- accredited training was attended by 20 AEWs from different areas in Eastern Visayas.
