TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – Batangas province has been selected as pilot province for the implementation of Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) in CALABARZON. PAFES is one of the flagship projects of the Department of Agriculture aimed to stimulate agricultural modernization in the Philippines.

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office IV-A organized the consultative meeting last May 17, 2021 which aims to level-off the knowledge of partner agencies and private organizations regarding the establishment of Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems in Batangas.

PAFES aims to showcase a model of strengthening research-extension-farmer-fisherfolk linkages in the Provinces by sharing science-based knowledge and innovations from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), DA agencies and the private sector with farming and fishing, families, rural communities and agriculture enterprises.

In his message, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas emphasized the importance of stakeholders’ collaboration and pointed out that high-level activities should still be implemented by the national government. He also highlighted that there is a need to further strengthen the capacities of both the DA and the LGUs.

The activity was participated by national government agencies including the BFAR, ATI, PCA, PCC, PhilRice,SRA and the DA - RFO 4A, PLGU-Batangas, Batangas State University, various farmers’ federations and cooperatives including financial institutions.

During the morning session, representatives from National Government Agencies presented their extension activities for Batangas province, while the afternoon discussions focused on the creation of PAFES. It was moderated by Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, OIC-Assistant Center Director of Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) in CALABARZON.

Content: Abegail L. Del Rosario