TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite - The Department of Agriculture through the Agricultural Training Institute and the Philippine Rice Research Institute in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute implemented a project entitled “Improving Technology Promotion and Delivery through Capability Enhancement of Next-Gen Rice Extension Professionals and Other Intermediaries” or IPAD. It is a project under the DA-IRRI Research and Development collaboration by the National Rice Program through the Bureau of Agricultural Research.
One of the IPAD’s major components is the development of a new breed of rice extension professionals called AgRiDOCS or Agricultural Development Officers of the Community. These AgRiDOCs undergo a training program that primes them as catalysts of farm community transformation. To date, there are 31 AgRiDOCs in the region mostly coming from provincial and municipal agriculture offices.
However, the 31 AgRiDOCs are still not enough to invigorate the agricultural extension system and help transform more farming communities toward competitiveness, sustainability, and resiliency in CLABARZON.
In lieu of this, the Agricultural Training Institute – Region IV-A started the Phase 1 of the training program at ATI – RTC IV-A Training Hall, in this municipality from July 1 to 5, 2019 and July 9-13, 2019. It aims to improve promotion and delivery by enhancing the capability of the next generation of rice extension professionals. 25 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from various municipalities/cities of the region participated in the activity.
Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico, Center Director of ATI-RTC IV-A graced the closing ceremony and inspired the participants to continue the training program which will end on November.
Participants are expected to complete six modules composed of Be Transformed, AgRiCool, AgRiSurvivors, PalaYcheck and PalaYamanan v2.0, Rise with Rice and Be RICEPonsible.
The training program for Phase 2 will start on July 17, 2019 (Wednesdays to Fridays) until October 2019.
Content: Soledad E. Leal