e-Extension Agenda August 2011 1

Vol. IV No. 2 August 2011

PASAY CITY – Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Director Asterio P. Saliot presented a

paper on the “Current Status and Future Directions of the Philippine Agricultural Extension” to the members of the prestigious National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) of the country. Saliot also presented one of the latest programs of the Department of Agriculture, the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries, where ATI is the lead implementing agency.

The paper presentation was part of the Round Table Discussion (RTD) on agricultural extension which was held in preparation for the NAST 33rd Annual Scientific meeting in July 2011. Other presenters came from both public and private organizations and

Saliot Presents e-Extension Program to S & T Community

CEBU CITY – The e-Extension Program which has been recognized here and abroad

have piqued the interest of the Career Executive Service (CES)!

Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Director Asterio P. Saliot was recently invited as a resource person for the monthly gathering of Career Executive Service Officers (CESO) dubbed as CES CIRCLE Forum. Saliot, also a CESO himself, briefed the officers

Gov’t Executive Officers Briefed on the e-Extension Program

on the ATI’s e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries and its impact on the agriculture, fisheries and natural resources sector.

The Career Executive Service is the ‘third level’ or the managerial class in the group of career positions in the Philippine Civil Service. The CES was created by Presidential Decree No. 1 to "form a continuing pool of

ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot presented the e-Extension Program to the members of the National Academy of Science and Technology during its monthly Round Table Discussion (RTD). The RTD is being done in preparation for the NAST 33rd Annual Scientific meeting

Page 6 ►

What’s Insidee-Extension Coordinators Undergo Techno Gabay Appreciation Course ------------------------------- 2

Vis-Min Batch Trained on 4-H Club Web-Based Profiling and Monitoring System ----------- 3

The e-Extension Programpromoted to school teachers ---- 4

What our e-Learners say ---- 6Page 6 ►

e-Extension Agenda August 2011 2

NEWS

Editor Pamela MG Mappala

Writers Benedict C. Natividad Pamela MG Mappala Yovina-Claire R. Agsawa Contributors Maricel D. Dacapias (ATI-RTC 1) Darwin M. Sarabia (ATI-RTC 4B) Merrian P. Soliva (ATI-RTC 7) Dennis Boyd Baltazar (ATI-RTC 8) Ma. Theresa Laxamana (ATI-RTC 12)

Layout Artist Benedict C. Natividad

Editorial Consultants Antonieta J. Arceo Jose Rey Y. Alo

Advisers Asterio P. Saliot MNSA, CESO III Evelyn Aro-Esquejo PhD, MNSA, CESO VI Alberto B. Maningding MNSA, CESO IV

The e-Extension AgendaVolume IV Number 2

August 2011

BOHOL -- From an added responsibility to an enhanced functionality!

With the institutionalization of the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the frontline people at the regions will have their hands full in continuing to implement the program.

TGP is one of the major programs of the Department of Science and Technology through its Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD).

Purposely, the e-Extension Coordinators have been chosen to be the regional coordinators of the TGP, an added workload but seen as an opportunity to enhance their capabilities further.

As a prelude to the program implementation, ATI held a five-day appreciation course with the 28 e-Extension Coordinators briefed on TGP and the complementary extension activities of ATI. The activity likewise aimed for the coordinators to appreciate the program and their roles as implementers through expository visits to various Farmers' Information Technology Service (FITS) Centers and to integrate the TGP in their functions as e-Extension coordinators.

The course included some lectures on the overview of the Techno Gabay

Program as well as its components and the mechanics of implementation from the roles and responsibilities of Regional Coordinators to its Partner Member Agencies (PMAs). The ATI Regional Training Centers (RTCs) who have been actively involved with TGP also shared their experiences and lessons learned in the implementation of the program. The participants also listed their lessons learned as well as the issues that may crop up during the institutionalization of the TGP through a workshop.

A field visit to the three successful FITS Centers was done to further familiarize the coordinators with the operations of the TGP specifically on the center operations, coordination with their Magsasaka Syentista as well as their components focusing on information and communication technology (ICT)

and on information education and communication (IEC).

In her message, ATI Deputy Director for Policy and Administration Evelyn Aro-Esquejo recognized the importance of the TGP’s contribution to nation building specifically the advancement of the farmers and fishers in the rural areas. “The Techno Gabay

e-Extension Coordinators Undergo Techno Gabay Appreciation Course

Added Function, Enhanced Capability

Program is something you should be happy about because it can be useful in the progress of our country,” Esquejo said. Aware of the impending work that will be added to the e-Extension Coordinators, Esquejo assured them that it is because other institutions like PCARRD have recognized ATI's capabilities. “Let’s not look at it as additional burden for ATI, rather let’s see it as acknowledgement of our capabilities,”Esquejo added.

The appreciation course was conducted last May 30 to June 3, 2011 at the Bohol Plaza Resort and Restaurant, Panglao Island, Dayo Hill, Mayacabac Dauis, Bohol.(BCNatividad)

e-Extension Agenda August 2011 3

NEWS

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – After the successful implementation of

the Training on 4-H Club Web-Based Profiling and Monitoring System for the Luzon batch, the training shifted down south for the next batch in Visayas and Mindanao.

The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) which has been in support of the 4-H Club activities conducted the training with the regional 4-H club coordinators, rural-based focal persons from the ATI Centers and the regional 4-H club presidents and selected officers from the southern part of the country as participants.

They were briefed on the features of the 4-H website and were able to register and update their profiles in the site. Likewise, they were oriented on the e-Extension Program and were able to register and enrolled in the various courses offered in the

e-Learning site.To demonstrate and explain

further the features of the website, ATI tapped Elito Circa from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), who developed the program as well as the system for the said website.

Speaking during the opening program, ATI Deputy Director for AFE Operations Alberto Maningding emphasized the importance of the website in profiling and monitoring the members as well as the organization's activities. Maningding also reminded the participants to continuously populate the site with relevant contents.

The members can

access the web-based profiling and monitoring website of the 4-H Club at www.ati.da.gov.ph/4-hclub.

The training was held last May 2 to 6, 2011 at the Harbor Lights Hotel in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental. (BCNatividad)

Vis-Min Batch Trained on 4-H Club Web-Based Profiling and Monitoring System

TAGAYTAY CITY – After two years of implementation, the proponents of the Aurora

e-Village Project assessed and reviewed the project milestones.

The project proponents -- the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), DA - Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) together with the Provincial Government of Aurora (PGA) -- gathered for the two-day Mid-term Evaluation Workshop of the Aurora e-Village Project.

The Project is aimed to provide interventions that will integrate Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to rural community life to improve access to information, enhance productivity, increase household income and improve quality of life in Aurora province.

With this, the Mid-term Evaluation aimed to evaluate the overall

progress made in implementing the project and its various components. Moreover, the activity was aimed to determine lessons learned from the project implementation and derive insights and possible good practices. For the remaining period of the project implementation, the project proponents came up with action plans modified accordingly based on the insights gained during the first two years.

As the project is set to conclude by the end of the year, the PGA which has been identified as the eventual project successor,

ATI, PhilRice, DAP and PGA Gather for Aurora e-Village Project Mid-term Evaluation

the implementing agencies agreed to further empower them through the implementation of the remaining objectives that have not been accomplished.

The Aurora e-Village Mid-term Evaluation was conducted last June 9 to 10, 2011 at the DAP Conference Center, Tagaytay City.(BCNatividad)

e-Extension Agenda August 2011 4

AT THE REGIONS

S ta. Barbara, Pangasinan – Increased awareness of geospatial technologies and

its significant contribution to the agriculture sector can actually influence crop productivity.

This is the thrust of the training on Geographic Information System (GIS) and Database Management held recently which was attended by agricultural extension workers from Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Unit (DA-RFU) I, Pangasinan State University and the Offices of the Provincial Agriculturist in Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Resource speaker Engr. Joan Pauline Talubo shared that “A big part of understanding the system lies in your own personal experience especially if you apply it in your work or field of specialization.” She added that the factors that influence crop productivity can be identified, mapped, and used to provide solution. Preserving the environment, managing assets, constant overproduction with low prices, changing government subsidies, biotechnology and intense global competition are encouraging more agricultural professionals to use the GIS technology.

With this, three more batches are planned to be held within the year to cater all provincial and municipal local government units of Region I.

The first training was held last July 5 to 8, 2011 at ATI-Regional Training Center I in Tebag, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. (MCDacapias)

Extension Workers

Briefed on GIS, Database Mgt

Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan – Some 37 school teachers from San Carlos City and Calasiao

in this province were briefed on the Department of Agriculture’s e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries.

As part of the Training of Trainers on Integrated Production and Pest Management conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) I, the school teachers were able to browse and appreciate the various e-learning courses offered through the e-Extension Program.

e-Extension Coordinator Maricel Dacapias of ATI-RTC I likewise discussed the different components of the Program such as the Farmers’ Contact Center as the frontline delivery of farm and business advisory services as well as the School-

on-the-Air program that is being implemented by the Agricultural Training Institute in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture’s bureaus and attached agencies.

To familiarize the participants further, they had a hands-on tutorial to experience the step-by-step registration and enrolment to the e-learning courses of their choice. Moreover, Dacapias showcased the digital learning resources that can be downloaded from the e-learning portal of the e-Extension Program.

The activity was held last May 18, 2011 at ATI-RTC I, Tebag, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. (MCDacapias)

The e-Extension Program promoted to school teachers

Bohol – Four barangays in Antequera in this province were briefed on the features of the

Nutrient Manager for Rice Mobile (NMRiceMobile), a new service of the Farmers’ Contact Center of the Department of Agriculture.

Nearly 90 rice-farmers from Barangays Bitaugan, Sto. Rosario, Poblacion and Celing came to the briefing.

Municipal Agricultural Officer Tarcisia Baluca and Dr. Carolyn May O. Daquio, Center Director of the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) VII graced the activity while Lydia B. Borbano and Ma. Gracia Soliva-Pungay, both from ATI-RTCVII, facilitated the activity.

They emphasized that NMRiceMobile is one of the modality of the DA in collaboration with International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) where farmers can directly inquire the recommended fertilizer inputs for their farm using their mobile

phones. Erma F. Lucero of ATI-RTC VII

emphasized that this modality is just one of the many options that the Department is providing for rice farmers.

The text and call services of the FCC, which is being administered by the Agricultural Training Institute were likewise discussed to provide more avenues for the farmers’ queries on agriculture and fisheries. (MPSoliva)

Antequera Farmers Briefed on NMRiceMobile

e-Extension Agenda August 2011 5

AT THE REGIONS

Southern Leyte - Of the 213 enrolled farmers, 187 were confirmed graduates on June 4,

2011 during the graduation ceremony of the School on the Air (SOA) on rice production in this province.

The SOA in Southern Leyte started in November 2010 over local radio station DYSL with enrollees from the municipalities of Sogod, Macrohon, Tomas Oppus, Libagon and Malitbog. It was coordinated by Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center VIII, Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and DYSL Radyo ng Bayan.

Present during the affair

were Dr. Valerio B. Cabalo, SLSU Vice-President for Research and Extension, Marina E. Gador, Provincial Agriculturist, Dr. Paulino T. Cabahit of ATI-RTC VIII, and the municipal agricultural officers of the selected municipalities.

In their respective messages, the guests expressed their gratefulness for the participation of the farmers in the SOA and the backstopping of the agricultural extension workers who did the follow-ups and provided guidance to farmer-enrollees. They wished that similar activities will be conducted for other crops and that more municipalities will participate.

The SOA is an extension strategy of the Department of Agriculture in reaching more farmers in the country. It is a series of programs aired over a local radio station, discussing the subject matter systematically and in a progressive manner, similar to the classroom’s teaching-learning situation.

This years’ SOA in this region focused on rice production and aimed to strengthen farmers’ capabilities on rice production management. Ramon Fernandez of DYSL Radyo ng Bayan and Veronica L. Reoma of SLSU anchored the program with the agricultural extension workers as resource persons.(DBRBaltazar)

Southern Leyte Grads 187 for SOA

While the DA-Regional Field Office XII is conducting an Agri-Pinoy Information

Caravan in various provinces of the region, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center XII (ATI-RTC XII) presented the Department of Agricultures’ e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries among the agricultural extension workers and farmers. This is in line with the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Month being celebrated in the month of May.

The first schedule was conducted

at the Provincial Gymnasium of South Cotabato on May 12, 2011, which was attended by more than 100 extension workers, representatives from the DA-attached agencies and the farming sector.

The ATI-RTC XII put up an exhibit booth inside the gymnasium and

distributed various printed information materials during the info-caravan. More so, it also assisted several extension workers and farmers in registering and enrolling in the e-Learning courses being offered by the ATI. The team was composed of members of the e-Extension group of ATI-RTC XII, along with trained students undergoing on-the job training from the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan,

More e-Learners Register During Agri-Pinoy Info-caravans in Region XII

Cotabato and the Sultan Kudarat State University Lutayan Branch. The Information-Caravan visited the four provinces and cities of the region particularly Koronadal City, Kidapawan City, Saranggani and Sultan Kudarat.(MTLaxamana)

e-Extension Agenda August 2011 6

shared some insights and learnings based on their experiences in the delivery of their services related to agricultural extension.

The NAST was created through the Executive Order no. 818 and functions as an advisory council to the President of the Philippines and the Cabinet on matters related to science and technology in the country. The NAST also embarks on programs traditionally and internationally expected of an academy of science as it has been mandated to recognize outstanding achievements in science and technology and to serve as a reservoir of competent scientific

Saliot Presents e-Extension Program...From page1

and technological manpower for the country.

The RTD looked into the organization of agricultural extension system as well as the use of the information and communication technology (ICT) in the agriculture sector. With the e-Extension program being one of the pioneering efforts in utilizing ICT for the advancement of the agriculture sector, Saliot shared the ATI's learnings on their implementation and the recognition it has garnered, not only in the Philippines but also in other countries as well.

The activity was conducted last May 3, 2011 at the Traders Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.(BCNatividad)

Snapshots

Two delegates from the Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture visited the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)

as part of their study tour to learn about the Institute’s implementation of School-on-the-Air and the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries. OIC-Assistant Chief Pamela G. Mappala of the ATI-Knowledge Products Management Division welcomed the delegates together with Associate Professor Ma. Stella C. Tirol of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) who organized their visit to the country. Md. Taufique Arefin, project coordinator of the Agriculture Information Service from Bangladesh, noted that they were planning to set up the same to enhance their rural communication services in their country. The briefing was held at the Agriculture and Fisheries Knowledge Center of the ATI Central Office last May 31, 2011.

Participants of the International Training Course on Agricultural Marketing Focused on Infrastructure Development visited the Agricultural Training Institute and was briefed on the Institute’s programs and services specifically on the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries. The participants who came from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and the Philippines were acquainted on the e-Extension Program and its components. The briefing was held last June 16, 2011 at the Agriculture and Fisheries Knowledge Center, ATI, Diliman, Quezon City.

well-selected and development-oriented career administrators who shall provide competent and faithful service" to the Philippine Government.

The CES CIRCLE Forum is a monthly learning session conducted by the CES Board for its officers and eligible members and CIRCLE stands for Creative Innovations and Reforms for Committed Leadership and Effectiveness. The forum serves as a

platform for thought leaders, subject matter experts and public service exemplars to dialogue with career service officers and to share insights, ideas, lessons and experiences in the hope of deepening and sustaining collective inspiration to improve leadership and governance. The latest forum carried the theme “ICT in Human and Environment Security”.

The CES CIRCLE Forum was held last June 23, 2011 in Cebu City. (BCNatividad)

Gov’t Executive Officers Briefed...From page1

Natapos ko na po ang greenhouse course. Salamat sa mga information. malaking tulong sa research ko. - Aaron Jed Tumbali, Quezon City

Nakakatulong talaga nang malaki ang e-learning sa amin sa DA Municipality of Kauswagan. - Dhelma Aclao, Iligan City

Salamat sa ATI ang dami ko pong natutunan sa inyo. Salamat po.- Archie Q. dela Cruz, San Mateo

ATI, galing tlaga ng website nyo Yung lesson ko sa agriculture dito ko nakukuha ang ilan sa naituturo ko sa school.- Archie Q. dela Cruz, San Mateo

What are our e-Learners sayFrom our shoutbox messages and emails @www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning

e-Extension Agenda August 2011 7

VSU Stude Explores e-Learners’ Behavior Towards Online Courses

Why are there "finishers" and "quitters" in our e-Learning courses?

Armel Lozano provided some hints from his study entitled “Conditions Leading to Completion and Discontinuance of Enrollees to ATI e-Learning for Agriculture and Fishery Program in Eastern Visayas,” a thesis he submitted to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Development Communication at the Visayas State University. His study became an eye-opener, providing insights on the challenges faced by e-learners in taking the online courses being offered by the Department of Agriculture through the e-Extension Program for Agriculture & Fisheries.

Based on his findings, Lozano recommended the following to minimize

discontinuance in e-courses:Give enrollees constant 1.

reminders of their involvement in the program, either through text or e-mail;

ATI, as the program 2. implementer, in collaboration with other agencies under the Department of Agriculture should create projects in line with interconnectivity to their clientele through trainings on basic computer skills and assistance in the provision of internet connection in their locality or even mobile connections;

Continue creating relevant 3. courses for the enrolees, to do this, ATI should monitor their enrollees to find out the relevant information they need from the course they enrolled;

ATI should ensure that the 4. modules they are presenting to their enrollees will undergo several tests to testify its comprehensibility; and

Ensure that the information 5. they provide to their enrollees is up-to-date.

He also recommended replication of this study covering enrollees in other provinces in the country. Thus, further study conducted in other provinces will help verify whether the same conditions are encountered by the enrollees in other areas. A study also on the most significant changes experienced by graduates on the e-Learning courses of ATI is also highly recommended to further help in improving its implementation of the program.

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The course is divided into three modules, namely: The Worm and Its Food; Benefits of Vermicomposting; and Vermicompost Production. These include several topics on the general characteristics and cultural requirements of worms, African Night Crawler specie, substrates, advantages and economics of vermicomposting, and quality analysis of some vermicompost formulations. Write ups with videos of successful

e-Learning Course on Vermicomposting, Now Online!individuals and groups engaged in vermicompost production are also incorporated in the course to further encourage you to adopt the technology.

So what are you waiting for?

NEWS

Log on at www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning.

The Vermicomposting: Turning Trash to Cash online course is brought to us by ATI RTC-10. (YCRAgsawa)

e-Extension Agenda August 2011 8

Nemo dat quod non habet.. a prevalent Latin expression which means you cannot

give what you do not have. True enough! One cannot give a penny if his own pocket is empty, bread if his own stomach grumbles or a factual program if he himself is misled. I’ve been at the Techno-Gabay Program Appreciation Course in Bohol just recently. It was really a good experience. A lot of times were allotted to, uhm well, appreciate! Not to mention the five-star accommodation where you can have a 360 view of the whole island. Thank you RTC-7 for your overwhelming hospitality!

The said appreciation course is in line with the turn-over of the Techno-Gabay program from DOST-PCARRD to ATI. The process of transition is within three years. During the course, resource persons from DOST-PCARRD make the most of everything to make us understand the “ins and outs” of the program. As I was trying to grasp the things handed down in front of me, three things were creeping up inside. First, like most of us in the RTC’s, we are new in the bandwagon. We are not even a member of an accredited consortium and yet we are here to handle the program ourselves. Second, collaboration is the key for a successful establishment of Techno-Gabay and/or FITS Centers in our respective regions.

It is a reality that most people ask the primary question of “What can we get from that program?” or “What can we have in return?” Techno-Gabay Program doesn’t encourage dole outs. A beneficiary should certainly commit itself to counter parting and as a rule of thumb, never promise anything! Some might be mistakenly lost in thinking that we will provide everything from IEC materials to cellcards for internet browsing?! Third, why is there a turnover of the program? Does this mean additional workload for us e-extension coordinators? This absolutely is a wrong notion of the program. Turning over the Techno-Gabay program with ATI only attests to the agency’s credibility in doing efficient delivery of extension services.

Quoting Asst.Dir. Evelyn Aro-Esquejo as saying; “Let’s not look at

A Coordinator’s Reflections on TGP

it as additional burden for ATI, rather let’s see it as acknowledgement of our capabilities.” Still after these insights,

I come to my senses and cling to my basic principle of time. Everything has its proper time! In time, we will perfectly understand this program. In time, we will be ready to implement with ease and conviction the TGP. And besides, we still have three more years to internalize the program. But this will happen if we fully own it as if it were the first fruits of our labour and if we

own and have it, then and only then we can share it to others. (DMSarabia)

LOS BANOS, Laguna -- Tapping further the potentials of ICT in providing more services to the

smallholder farmers, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) together with Mercy Corps, an international economic development agency focusing on microfinance, organized a workshop to generate ideas in developing a financial product suite for precision agricultural products and services especially designed for smallholder rice farmers.

With the introduction of the Nutrient Manager for Rice in web and mobile application, IRRI found the significance of incorporating such service with the electronic extension services being offered by IRRI and the Department of Agriculture through its Agricultural Training Institute.

A total of 39 representatives came from Catholic Relief Services, MICRA Foundation, Atlas Fertilizer Corp., W.K. Kellog Institute, Avantage Ventures, Hongkong, Philippine RIce Research Institute, Mercy Corps, Agricultural Training Institute and IRRI to contribute their expertise and knowledge for the said plan.

Held last May 30 to 31, 2011 at IRRI Headquarters, Los Banos, Laguna. (PMappala)

ATI Attends IRRI’s Workshop on Developing Financial Product Suite for Agri

Products, Services