Twenty agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in Caraga region are on their way to becoming new breed of rice extensionists, otherwise known as Agricultural Development Officers of the Community (AgRiDOC).

It was a challenging task for this AEWs who need to undergo the rigorous Regional Season-long Training of Trainers (TOT) at the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center XIII located at Brgy. Los Angleles, Butuan City. The training will run for four months which started last June 5, 2017 and will end on September 22, 2017.

The aim of this training is to enhance the capabilities of Rice AEWs in terms of technology promotion and delivery at the countryside. To achieve this, the trainees are primed on six modules which include Transformational Leadership, AgriCool, AgriSurvivors, Palaycheck and Palayamanan, Rise with Rice, and Be Riceponsible. In addition to lecture-discussions, learning are reinforced through field tours to successful learning sites, interviews with champions in agriculture, farm demonstrations, homestays in farm families, and conduct of agro-ecosystem analysis.

The training is participatory and output-oriented. Trainees are encouraged to join role plays and workshops. They are also required to submit weekly reflections, pre- and post-tests, project proposals, and pass the National Competency test (NC III), among others.

After their graduation on September 22, 2017, they are expected to implement their proposed project and to transfer the technologies they have learned from AgRiDOC to their farmers via trainings, farmers’ class, regular meetings, and radio programs. (with report from Nepthalie D. Palero, RA – Cagwait, SDS)