Reaching out, building dreams, changing lives – this line is not only ATI’s motto but also our job as extensionists. These are the words of Robert T. Poculan Jr., Center Director of the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center XIII (ATI-Caraga), during his welcome message to the participants of the Training of Trainers on Extension Delivery System for Farm Family Agricultural Productivity last August 22-25, 2017 at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Pastoral Center, Ampayon, Butuan City.

This training is part of the program called Tier 2: Extension Support to the 22 Poorest Provinces in the Philippines (T2-ES22PPP). According to Nena L. Lomuntad, Planning Officer II of ATI-Caraga and Project Officer of the said training, the objective is to enhance knowledge and skills of participants on extension delivery towards agricultural productivity of farmers. They need to be equipped once they will be immersed in their respective communities.

Thirty AEWs attended the said training all coming from the city and municipal local government units (LGUs) of Agusan del Sur. The said province is the lone recipient of the Tier 2 program in Caraga region after being identified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as among the 22 provinces in the country with a very high poverty incidence.

The four-day training includes sessions on Extension Delivery System (EDS), Agri-based Farming System, Community Organizing, plus Educational Trip and Presentation of Action Plan.