MALVAR, Batangas – From when it was launched in 2007, the electronic extension (e-Extension) Program has undergone rigorous refining processes through years of trying and testing as it continued to cleave to its purpose: to bring agriculture and fisheries extension to new heights through information and communications technology (ICT).

To celebrate what transpired throughout a decade of delivering electronic extension, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the program’s lead implementer, brought together partners from different government agencies and academic institutions, along with the course and content developers from the Institute, in a one-day knowledge-sharing affair dubbed as the “e-Extension InTENsity Summit”.

With the theme “Recognizing the Movers and Shakers of e-Extension in the Philippines”, the summit became one big reunion for those whose contributions paved the way for milestones reached in the past 10 years of implementing the three components of the e-Extension Program, namely, e-Farming, e-Learning, and e-Trading.

In recognition of the work and support from the partner agencies in the development, deployment, and promotion of the e-Learning courses, the ATI awarded plaques of appreciation to Laguna State Polytechnic University; Xavier University-Sustainable Agriculture Center; Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development; Philippine Trade Training Center; Bureau of Agricultural Research; and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.

The e-Learning Handbook was also presented to the Department of Agriculture, represented by the Special Technical Assistance Office Director Clarito Barron. The handbook serves as a guide for the implementation of e-Learning by the e-Extension offices based at the ATI network of training centers. It provides a record of the guidelines, procedures, and expectations in the administration of e-Learning.

“You have reached this far, however, much more has to be done. Let’s make e-Extension more relevant to our ultimate clients–the farmers and fishers. We hope that through this program, we will be able to contribute to the goal of making food more available and accessible to all Filipinos,” Dir. Barron said.

In the afternoon, small group sessions were conducted for the poster presentations on the best practices and researches related to e-Learning from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions IV-A, VII, VIII, X, and XIII. The participants gave their insights on how to replicate the presenters’ best practices and on what measures and future studies can be done in support to the findings and recommendations gathered from the researches.

A plenary session was also held, with some representatives from partner agencies and e-Learning experts who shared highlights in their e-Learning experiences.

To cap off the event, the participants recited a pact of commitment to continue to innovate extension services, enhance access to agriculture and fisheries information, and embrace change as extensionists.

In the evening, recognition was also given to the achievements of ATI training centers in relation to e-Extension including the number of e-Learning enrollees and graduates, social media followers, website visits, Rice Crop Manager recommendations, among others.

The 10th e-Extension anniversary celebration was held on December 11, 2017 at the Lima Park Hotel in this town.