Quezon City -- The ASEAN Member States (AMS) successfully wrapped its 2021-2025 activities for the Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation in Agricultural Training and Extension during the virtual meeting of the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Agricultural Training and Extension (AWGATE).

The AWGATE Meeting is an annual event that serves as a platform for exchange of information on the progress of the agricultural training and extension activities being implemented by the AMS. It was attended by AMS-Focal Points from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Director Alfredo S. Aton of the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute represented the Philippines during the meeting.

Dr. Mao Minea, incoming Chair from Cambodia, emphasized in his opening remarks, the progress to be made to achieve the Priority Economic Deliverables for Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the two strategic thrusts. These are: (1) enhancing quantity and quality of production with sustainable, ‘green’ technologies, resource management systems, and minimize pre- and post-harvest losses and waste, and (2) assist small scale producers and Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

This year, the AMS are expected to achieve significant outputs and fruitful contributions in building the link between ASEAN countries and extension experts, and transfer of competitive agricultural technologies.

The 27th AWGATE virtual meeting was hosted by Cambodia last January 14, 2021.