DA to widen extension support, education and training services

MANILA, Philippines - Focused on achieving increased food security and higher rural incomes, the Department of Agriculture intends to further empower Filipino rice farmers through wider and better extension support, education and training services. 

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the DA would establish more farmers’ field schools and plans to hold technology demonstrations in more sites nationwide. 

Farmers would also gain more knowledge through field days, expository tours and technology briefings, he added. 

According to Alcala, the information dissemination drive of the DA would also be strengthened through printed materials, radio, television and internet broadcasts, and  audio-video documentaries. The materials would be made available in more local dialects, aside from Filipino and Cebuano, Alcala said. 

Extension workers of the DA and local governments would also receive sustained support through re-tooling and re-training.  Local farmer technicians would  also be developed and supported. 

In its proposed 2015 budget, DA has earmarked P3.86 billion for extension services marked as “Extension Support, Education and Training Services,” an increase from the  P3.56 billion allotted in 2014. 

Apart from increased extension support, the DA would also intensify its implementation of other production-enhancing programs. 

For instance, the DA and Landbank of the Philippines have increased the funding for their joint Sikat Saka program to P1 billion from P400 million to benefit more farmers in strategic rice-producing provinces nationwide starting 2015.

Thus, from the original 25 provinces, Sikat Saka would now cover 45 provinces that account for up to 80 percent of the country’s total rice output.

Sikat Saka is one of the credit components of the Aquino administration’s Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP).

Under this scheme, the government provides crop insurance as an automatic value added service, along with assured market and financial mentoring. 

Irrigation system-based development and management approach likewise would be implemented. 

Upland rice production development would also be given emphasis, Alcala said.

Provincial, regional and national rice congresses/summits would also be conducted, as well as a search for outstanding rice achievers Alcala added, more farm service providers (FSPs) would  be organized, trained and supported.

In 2013, DA launched the formation of FSPs for landless rural workers for them to still have a source of income despite the increased use of machines in farms brought about by the DA’s farm mechanization initiatives. 

Farm mechanization is part of the DA’s program to modernize agriculture in the country, the primary benefit of which is lower production cost and postharvest losses compared to manual labor. 

Alcala said FSPs are trained to use the machinery, and could enter into service arrangements with the landowners.