The Agricultural Training Institute VII initiated the 1stRegional Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Network (RAFEN) Summit in Central Visayas on November 29, 2017 at Cebu Northwinds Hotel, Salinas Drive, Cebu City. Seventy six (76) participants composed of Heads/Representatives and Agriculturists from the different National Government Agencies (NGAs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and private sectors in the four provinces of Central Visayas attended the event.
RAFEN 7Summit aims to present and share good agricultural extension practices of selected member-agencies and clients. The sharing was one way of harmonizing extension services that would strengthen the RAFEN. The event also aims to organize the Philippine Association of Agriculturists (PAA) Central Visayas Chapter in order to enhance the professional career of the different agriculturists in the region, and to effectively carry out their tasks in the delivery of extension services for the benefits of clients in the agricultural and rural sectors.
RAFEN 7 was formally organized last September 2, 2016 with Agricultural Training Institute-7 as focal agency andAgriculture and Fisheries Extension Network(AFEN) Secretariat. AFEN on the other hand is a network of all agencies that have the function of delivering extension services. It is the major partnership mechanism of ATI in ensuring that all extension concerns are well-coordinated and efficiently addressed.
Other National Government Agencies include Department of Agriculture – 7 (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepED), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Irrigation Authority (NIA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Fertilizer Pesticide Authority (FPA), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), Quedancor, and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). Four (4) members from SUCs composed of Siquijor State College (SSC), Bohol Island State University (BISU), Cebu Technical University (CTU), and Negros Oriental State University (NORSU). LGUs are from the Provincial Agriculture Office, Provincial Veterinary Office of Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor; and City Agriculture Office of Bayawan, Bogo and Dumaguete, and the League of the Municipal Agricultural Officers, Municipal/City Agriculturists of the Philippines, Inc. (LeMMCAP). Private sectors consist of Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council, St. Peter Academy of Alegria Foundation Inc. (SPAAFI), Regional Rural Based Organizations (RBOs): 4-H Club, Rural Improvement Club (RIC), PambansangMannalon-Mag-uuma-Magsasaka ng Pilipinas (P4MP), Magsasakang Siyentista (MS), and Indigenous People (IP).
Institutions who presented their good agricultural extension practices were from the SPAAFI, Siquijor Provincial Veterinary Office, Bayawan City Agriculture Office, Bohol Island State University, and the Provincial Veterinary Office of Bohol. Dr. Carolyn May O. Daquio – ATI Center Director 7 also gave inputs on PAA.
Meanwhile, PAA Central Visayas was formally organized during the event with a new set of elected officers.Mr. Virgilio Jakosalem, Supervising Agriculturist of PAO Cebu as president, four (4) vice presidents representing the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental, secretary, treasurer and auditor among the officers.