QUEZON CITY โ The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), through the Policy and Planning Division (PPD), gathered agriculture agencies to align their priorities and plans for delivering extension services to farmers and fisherfolk in 2028.
The activity brought together 37 representatives from member agencies of the Department of AgricultureโExtension Support, Education, and TrainingโTechnical Management Team (DA-ESET-TMT) to discuss the Departmentโs FY 2028 priorities for Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE), which will guide the agencies in preparing their Plans and Budget Proposals (PBPs).
The activity aimed to establish a common direction among the participating agencies in preparing their FY 2028 AFE PBPs, while strengthening coordination and promoting complementary interventions among the Department of Agriculture (DA) offices.
In her opening message, delivered by PPD Chief Milagros C. Urbano, ATI Director Remelyn R. Recoter emphasized the importance of sustained coordination and collaboration among DA-ESET-TMT member agencies. She highlighted the need to align the agenciesโ FY 2028 extension priorities with DA directions, strengthen convergence, and use the assessment of the Philippine AFE Strategic Plan 2023โ2028 to guide future extension directions.
Representatives from the National Rice Program, National Corn Program, Halal Food Industry Development Program, National Organic Agriculture Program, National Livestock Program, Climate Resilient Agriculture Office, Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation Program, and Nationalย Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program presented their respective FY 2028 priority extension thrusts and directions.
The presentations provided an opportunity for the participating offices to identify common priorities and areas for collaboration. Discussions also covered the FY 2026 National Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Services (NAFES) Month Celebration, with the theme โExtension at Work: Empowering Communities, Sustaining Growth,โ and the ongoing assessment of the Philippine AFE Strategic Plan 2023โ2028.
Developed by ATI in 2022, the document serves as the countryโs medium-term framework for advancing the AFE system. The ongoing assessment will provide inputs for strengthening its remaining implementation and informing the succeeding AFE Strategic Plan.
Following the activity, a planning guideline containing the FY 2028 AFE thrusts and directions will be issued to guide the participating agencies in preparing their respective FY 2028 PBPs. The recommendations and agreements generated during the activity will also serve as a reference in ensuring that the agenciesโ plans remain responsive, complementary, and aligned with national agriculture and fisheries priorities.
The presentation of the DA Banner and Special Programsโ FY 2028 Thrusts and Directions for ESET was held on September 10, 2026, via Zoom.
