DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY – Professionalizing the extension workforce took a major step forward as the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) gathered experts to refine its draft Training Curriculum Framework for Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech).
The mid-journey assessment brought together Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (ABEs) from ATI, the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (DA-RAED), the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE), and several local government units. Their goal: review and improve the curriculum that will serve as the nationwide standard for training extension engineers.
Building on an initial Technical Guidance Session, which outlined 28 courses, the review expanded the framework to 33 courses—13 under Land and Water Resources, 9 under Environment and Structures, and 11 under Agricultural Machinery and Mechanization.
ATI plans to present the courses for validation to partner agencies, including the Bureau of Soils and Water Management and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech). The complete framework will later be submitted to the Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (CAFMech) for adoption.
Representing the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Isabela, Region II, Engr. Arlene A. Castillo expressed her sincere gratitude for the opportunity to participate despite recent calamities. She emphasized the urgent need to finalize the training curriculum, stressing that its timely preparation is essential for the national initiative to strengthen and establish ABE groups in the Local Government Units (LGUs).
Once finalized, the curriculum will standardize the training of AEW-ABEs across the country, ensuring consistent and science-based delivery of mechanization services to farmers and fishers. ATI Partnerships and Accreditation Division Assistant Chief Joeven C. Calasagsag also emphasized the need to maximize existing ATI and DA training modules to keep the framework practical and focused.
The three-day activity took place on September 23–25 at Orosa Hall, ATI Building, Diliman, Quezon City.
Author: Dianne Abcede
