The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) rolled out Phase I of the Resource Person Development Course (RPDC) on Basic Agricultural Extension titled “Fundamentals of an Effective Resource Person” on April 7–11, 2025 at the RDEC Training Hall, ATI Compound, Diliman, Quezon City.
This milestone activity marked the transition of 20 selected ATI staff—from learners to potential trainers who previously completed the 2024 Basic Agricultural Extension Course (BAEC). Phase I is designed to strengthen their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in preparation for their future roles as resource persons delivering core BAEC topics.
In her welcome message, ATI Assistant Director Antonieta J. Arceo underscored the primary goal of the course which is to cultivate a pool of competent, needs-based, and impactful resource persons for the agriculture and fisheries (AF) sector. She stressed the importance of diagnostics in identifying competency levels to ensure training programs are appropriately targeted and relevant. Arceo also encouraged the participants to remain open, participative, and fully committed to the learning process throughout the course.
Throughout the immersive five-day training, participants refined their competencies by revisiting BAEC content, engaging in participatory approaches, applying techniques for creating engaging and impactful sessions, and crafting instructional materials. The training provided a dynamic and interactive environment where participants honed their facilitation skills and explored innovative strategies for adult learning..
The RPDC is a structured, three-phase capacity-building program designed to develop core teams of trainers for basic agricultural extension. Phase II, set for May 5–9, 2025, will feature a presentation to a panel of experts, where participants will demonstrate their mastery of content and facilitation competencies. This will be followed by Phase III, to be implemented in partnership with ATI-RTC CAR and ATI-RTC IX, where the trainees will take on the role of full-fledged resource persons, delivering BAEC sessions to actual Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs).
This initiative is in support to ATI's steadfast commitment to elevating the standards of agricultural extension services, ensuring that training interventions are anchored in quality, relevance, and responsiveness to the evolving demands of the AF sector.
