A Digital Library Is Necessary For PH Aggie Extension – Calling For OpAPA 2!

In the Philippines, agricultural extension (AEx) has not been receiving proper attention in government agencies since the Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEx) was abolished by President Cory Aquino’s Executive Order 116 in January 1987, giving birth to the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).

I am an educator (BSA AgEd, UP Los Baños ’65, Civil Service Professional), and I see training as only a part of extension. Here is an intelligent explanation, from an American source, Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (syngentafoundation.org):

What is agricultural extension[1]?

In practical terms, extension means giving farmers – for us, smallholders in developing countries – knowledge of agronomic techniques and skills to improve their productivity, food security and livelihoods.

This has two important components:

« dissemination of practical information, including on improved seeds, soil quality, tools, water management, crop protection, agricultural practices and livestock, and 

« application of this knowledge (in) the farm.

The farmer’s “application of this knowledge (in) the farm” is covered by training, which comprises the whole world of PH ATI – which leaves out “dissemination of practical information.”

If the Department of Agriculture (DA), to which the ATI belongs, has neglected half of AEx, the Department of Science & Technology (DoST) has nourished it. Here is Charissa Luci-Atienza saying (01 October 2021, “DOST To Continue Developing Agricultural Extension Modalities To Benefit Farmers[2],” Manila Bulletin, MB.com.ph):

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) vowed to continue developing agricultural extension modalities for a more effective and sustainable strategy to use research and development (R&D) results.

PCAARRD is saying that you make known to farmers and train them on the results of agricultural R&D as may be necessary.

PCAARRD: Good, but not good enough!

What is not said is that you need to “translate” R&D results into the farmer’s language. And I say in AEx, today that calls for (1) first creating and maintaining a farmer-oriented & instant digital library; (2) training extensionists on how to use that digital library; and (3) those extensionists training farmers how to use that library. I call this now OpAPA 2, the original Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OpAPA) proposed in 2003 by then India-based ICRISAT Director General and now-Secretary of Agriculture William Dar.
(“Knowledge Head” image[3] from Claromentis)

“Knowledge available at all times is the heart of extension!” – Frank A Hilario

During the above videoconference reported by Ms Charissa, PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V Ebora said, “There is no blueprint or one-size-fits-all in the provision of extension services to the farmers.” As a teacher and having waged “Communication for Development (ComDev)” actively in the last 15 years (see title of blog), I believe Mr Evora is incorrect, because we need systematic extension! ComDev reminds us the development of farmer expertise is always the end-product.

Personal, radio, TV & online trainings are inadequate. What's missing in any so-called extension program or modality in agriculture anywhere is a ready-to-use digital library of new or revised knowledge & experiences for instant reference anytime!@517

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[1]https://www.syngentafoundation.org/agricultural-extension

[2]https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/01/dost-to-continue-developing-agricultural-extension-modalities-to-benefit-farmers/?fbclid=IwAR1K7BGoyOmDqP_jC3cJQgGX1zCD51YVG6zSSBqipoQx4mI1vTkzOJl7NL8

[3]https://www.claromentis.com/blog/use-digital-workplace-boost-business/