Agricultural Extension Agents’ Congress (May 8 & 22, 2008) STDAC, Tacloban City TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction 1 Highlights 2 Program Rationale 3 Objectives 3 Expected Output 4 Participants 4 Activities 5 Messages Welcome Remarks 6 Keynote Speech 8 Closing Remarks 14 GMA Programs Update GMA Fishery 20 GMA Livestock 24 GMA High Value Commercial Crop 27 GMA Corn 31 GMA Rice 37 Presentations Critical Roles of Agricultural Extension Agents in Agricultural Development: A National Perspective 46 LGU Agriculture and Accelerating Agriculture and Rural Development 54 Issues and Concerns GMA Rice Program 58 GMA Corn Program 60 GMA HVCC Program 62 GMA Livestock Program 63 GMA Fishery Program 64 Pictorials 66 List of Participants 71 List of Guests 103 i INTRODUCTION The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Regional Field Unit 8, DA-Agricultural Training Institute 8 and DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 8 hosted the May 8 and 22 congresses participated in by agricultural extension agents of Region 8. Conveners of both congresses use Extension Agents to refer to our field personnel, who usually are called agricultural technicians, extension workers or extension officers. Although a technician possesses specialized skills, he can be detached and aloof and comes only when his services are needed, always with a fee, like the automotive technician. But the field personnel live with the farmers and fishers, toil with them, identify with their fears, share their vision and celebrate with their triumph. The word worker has lowly connotation, like that of a dock worker or factory worker. Among insects, worker refers to the sexually underdeveloped and usually sterile members of a colony that perform most of the labor and protective duties of the colony. In contrast, our filed personnel are the most important tie that binds policy into field realities. If policy is to be realistic, their voice must be given adequate weight. Officer implies someone who often stays in the comfort of the office. But our field personnel are out there in the sun and in the rain either breaking baked soil or trudging through mud with the farmers. Therefore, our field personnel are not just technicians, not just workers, not just officers but Agents of Development . They are Extension Agents . In Greek, the word that is agent in English means to drive and to lead. In chemistry, physics and biology, an agent refers to the active principle. In development, he/she is one who causes something positive to happen. They are extension agents who make something happen in agriculture. The Congress was timely because we are facing challenging times. We need extension agents who can help the national government protect the country’s gains in ensuring that there is food for everyone. Region 8 posted a 14.4% increase in rice production last year, the highest in the country. As a region we are 115% sufficient in rice. We improved our corn production by about 14% last year. In other words, we posted admirable growth. But we cannot rest on our laurels though. The congress had outlined strategies to further our gains and help the country overcome present food price crisis that is rampaging across the world. HIGHLIGHTS The Congress was the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 8 (DA-RFU 8), DA- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and DA-Agricultural Training Institute 8’s response to further strengthen partnership and collaboration with other stakeholders especially the local government units in the implementation of GMA programs. The DA-ATI 8 facilitated the conduct of the congress for two batches. Close to 960 AEAs attended the two batches of congress. The AEAs are at the forefront of the local government units’ agricultural services. During the congress the AEAs discussed strategies to improve the implementation of GMA banner programs and raised issues and concerns for them to push further the gains of the GMA banner programs. DA-ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot and Assistant Director Alberto B. Maningding, respectively gave the keynote message. Assistant Director Evelyn Aro-Esquejo and Dr. Eliseo R. Ponce shared insights on the critical roles of AEAs in agricultural development. DA-RFU 8 GMA program coordinators and their representatives briefed participants on the updates and plans of the different programs that include rice, corn, high value commercial crops, livestock, and fisheries. Tacloban City Mayor Hon. Alfredo S. Romualdez, Eastern Samar Board Member Hon. Cirilo R. Balagapo, Jr and bigwigs from the DA-RFU 8 and DA-BFAR 8 also graced the congress. 2 PROGRAM Rationale Agricultural development is a colossal challenge that can be surmounted only through the unified efforts of various stakeholders. Cognizant of this fact, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the principal service provider for the agricultural sector, endeavors to strengthen positive collaboration with other stakeholders, foremost of which are the local government units. The LGUs play a crucial role in agricultural development programs. The Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991 and the AFMA of 1997 recognized that the LGUs are both conduit and conductor of wide-ranging programs and projects for farmers, including the GMA commodity programs, because they are at the axis point from where services directly flow to farmers and farms in the countryside. As such they get either or both the praise or the flak for whatever results these services bring. Whatever, though the LGUs, through its agricultural extension agents (AEAs) who personally observe the plight of the farmers aspirations or frustrations and feel the rhythm of the farms, carry with them rich experiences on how the GMA commodity programs can be made to work better in the field. Their field experiences can serve as living manual that breathes clearer direction in the task of expanding the gains of the GMA commodity programs. Continuing dialogue between the DA and AEAs and other program stakeholders is vital in strengthening partnership among them. Thus to gain the wisdom on program field implementation that AEAs possess, to provide AEAs updates on program direction and status, as well as tackle issues affecting implementation of GMA commodity programs, this congress is held. Objectives In general, after the one-day congress, preliminary decisions shall have been taken to resolve important issues affecting the implementation of the GMA commodity programs. Specifically, at the end of the congress, participants shall have: 1. Clear understanding of the objectives, essential components and guidelines of the GMA commodity programs; 2. Discussed innovative extension strategies (experiences) in the implementation of the GMA commodity programs; 3 3. Discussed the roles of AEAs in the success of agricultural development programs; 4. Identified issues affecting the implementation of GMA commodity programs; and 5. Outlined interventions to resolve issues/concerns. Expected Output Action Agenda to Strengthen GMA Commodity Program Implementation Participants Agricultural Extension Agents in Region 8 deployed in the GMA Commodity Programs in 2007 distributed as follows: Commodity Batch/Province Total Rice Corn HVCC LP FP May 8, 2008 Leyte 142 50 98 73 52 415 So. Leyte 56 9 22 18 14 119 Calbayog City 12 3 9 11 5 40 Samar 3 2 1 1 7 E. Samar 1 1 Biliran 1 1 Total 214 62 131 103 73 583 May 22, 2008 Rice Corn HVCC LP FP Samar 41 7 23 19 13 103 Eastern Samar 57 9 26 27 19 138 Northern Samar 41 3 11 15 6 76 Biliran 21 4 9 14 9 57 Total 160 23 69 75 47 374 TOTAL for the two 374 85 200 178 120 957 batches 4 Activities Time Part Responsible Person Morning 8-9 Registration Congress Facilitators Opening Program Congress Facilitators - Prayer Dr. Eduardo G. Apilar, DA-ATI 8 Administrative Officer V - National Anthem Led by Ms Dolores M. Lapesora, DA- ATI 8 Agriculturist II - Introduction of Participants & Mr. Manuel B. Ogsimer Guests AEAs Congress Progress Officer - Welcome to Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez Tacloban City 9-9:45 - Musical Rendition Jonel Lanante Child Singing Star - Inspirational Message Cong. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez 1st District Leyte - Musical Rendition UP Balangaw Choral - Introduction to the Keynote Director Leo P. Cañeda Speaker Regional Executive Director, DA-RFU 8 - Keynote Speech Hon. Arthur C. Yap Secretary, Department of Agriculture Program Updates: GMA Program Coordinators: - GMA Fisheries - Dir. Juan D. Albaladejo - GMA HVCC - Dr Veronica J. Berenguer 9:45–11 - GMA Corn - Ms Brenda J. Pepito - GMA Livestock - Dr Andrew T. Orais - GMA Rice - Mngr Rufino B . Ayaso III Critical Roles of Agricultural Dr. Evelyn Aro-Esquejo Extension Agents in Agricultural Assistant Director 11-12 Development: A National DA-Agricultural Training Institute Perspective Afternoon Workshop: Issues/Concerns on Dr. Jenny Lyn R. Almeria 1-3 GMA Program Implementation DA-RFU 8 Operations Chief Workshop output presentation and Dr. HY Goltiano 3-4 open forum DA-ATI 8 Agricultural Resource Management Chief Closing Program Congress Facilitators - Synthesis Dr. Paulino T. Cabahit DA-ATI 8 Center Director - Messages Dir. Leo P. Cañeda 4-5 DA-RFU 8 Regional Executive Director Dir. Juan D. Albaladejo DA-BFAR 8 Regional Director - Closing message Hon. Jericho Carlos ‘Icot’ Petilla Governor, Province of Leyte 5 MESSAGES Welcome Remarks Hon. Alfred S. Romualdez Mayor Tacloban City Greetings! I am elated that you organized this activity to discuss problems on food production. In Tacloban City, about 90% of our food is imported, and sadly, it came from other regions. Thus, we allocated P10 million for programs that do not only organize and promote cooperatives but create livelihood. We also activated the mariculture projects in San Juanico Strait and in San Pedro and Cancabato Bays. Three days ago, Robinsons came because they intend to finish the mall in November this year. Two weeks ago, SM inquired of a property here. Then, I got an official certification from NSO that with Tacloban’s 218,000 populations, we would qualify for a highly urbanized city, which is first in the region.