Demystifying Officers of Rural-Based Organizations on Design Thinking

Fri, 11/04/2022 - 16:36

DILIMAN, Quezon City – Aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of the Rural-Based Organizations officers in developing innovative projects, and upgrading their extension services to the community, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) recently conducted two (2) batches of learning enrichment training. Facilitated by the Limitless Lab, the Design Thinking Workshop was participated by a total of 57 regional officers of the 4-H Club of the Philippines (4-H Club), Samahan ng Magsasakang Siyentista ng Pilipinas (MS), and Rural Improvement Club of the Philippines (RIC) from the different regions in the country. The activity was held last October 11-13, 2022 (Batch 1) and October 18-20, 2022 (Batch 2) at the Rural Development and Education Center of the ATI Central Office.

In her opening message, ATI OIC-Director Remelyn R. Recoter expressed her delight to the accomplishments of these organizations, and declared her support to the activities of the RBOs. “We are very proud of your achievements, and we are right beside you as you continue to uphold the four-fold development of the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health of our youth. With the emergence of new strategies and advancement of technologies in agriculture, we believe that you will be able to keep up with the rapidly evolving trends in the sector, and we look forward to seeing all your ideas and vision come to life and be put into action through the ‘learning by doing’ approach,” shared OIC-Director Recoter.

The basic principles of Design Thinking, the Design Challenge, and Problem Reframing are the topics discussed during the activity. These helped familiarize the participants in applying the design thinking process in their various activities. 

“How might we re-imagine the RBOs (4-H Club, MS, and RIC)?” is the main design challenge of the activity. From here, the participants created their stakeholder personas, identified problems, and came up with solution prototypes, as the innovative projects proposed by each organization.

Some of the projects identified by the 4-H Club officers include information campaign activities such as the Biyaheng ICYC (Inform. Courageously Inspire. Yes to Incentive. Continuous Improvement.): The Kariton Project and the Information – Communication – Education (I.C.E.) Project, as well as trainings for the youth for the Project KAANGTANAN, Share. Encourage. Empower. Develop. (S.E.E.D.): Training of Trainers (TOT) for 4-H Club Recruiters, and the 4-H Local Innovators and Future Entrepreneurs (L.I.F.E) Project.

Meanwhile, the MS and RIC officers proposed innovations related to farming activities and technologies, such as the feed mill and storage facility, the easy and fast application process for food processors, the organic livestock farm, the biosecurity control measure for swine, the vegetable value-adding (Farm to Plate) system for women, and the native chicken production (multiplier farm).

These innovative projects shall be proposed by the respective RBOs for funding through the ATI Grants System, and are expected to be implemented in their regions.

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