Ati Calabarzon

SOA OVERVIEW
The Agricultural Training Institute(ATI), the Department of Agriculture’s lead provider in e-extension
services, will launch its school-on-air (SOA) program, themed “Unlad Saka: Isang Radyo Eskwela sa
Bondoc Peninsula” in Catanauan, Quezon on June 19.
As one of ATI's flagship programs, the SOA offers distance learning education on the complete
package of technology on agriculture and fisheries related subject matter through a series of radio
programs.
ATI Region IV-A Information Services Section Chief Dr. Rolando V. Maningas said on Friday that the
launch date was agreed upon during the first of a series of consultative meetings with Municipal
Agriculturists and Agricultural Technologists from Quezon province’s Bondoc Peninsula (BonPen)
composed of 12 municipalities held in Catanauan, Quezon last April 23.
The meeting was also held to know and provide the needs of potential learners in SOA before the
launch date.
"Nakapag-SOA na tayo dito sa area ng BonPen three years ago sa corn, (we have conducted SOA
in this area of BonPen 3 years ago, for corn), and the meeting was held to ensure that the difficulties
encountered before regarding the program’s implementation are somehow addressed and improved,
Maningas said.
At the meeting, Jamila Monette B. Balmeo, in-charge of SOA High Value Crops (HVC), presented a
brief overview of SOA along with the agenda.
Possible radio station, day and time of airing were also suggested during the meeting, as well as the
agreed target number of learners for the 12 municipalities, namely Agdangan, Buenavista,
Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Mulanay, Padre Burgos, Pitogo, San Andres, San Francisco,
San Narciso and Unisan.
Maningas said the lined-up of topics and radio teachers were filled “but we still need to process, for
conformity procedures and we will announce the final details once available.”
The topics will focus mainly on commodities cacao, calamansi, uni and banana, which are BonPen’s
major crops.
The 'distance course' may include enhancing mechanisms or tools such as Short Messaging System
(SMS), internet, telephone, among others and enrolled listeners are to take daily lessons on air that
usually last from 15 to 30 minutes and quizzes are given after every lesson or set of lessons.
The ATI network of training centers are conducting SOA in their respective areas on the banner
commodity programs of the DA which includes Organic Agriculture Program and done in
collaboration with the DA-Regional Field Offices, local radio stations and partner agencies.
Successful learners will be given training certificates after completion. (PNA)

ATI IV-A PROGRAMS
Extension Programs, Projects and Partnerships
To ensure that farmers and fishers are able to maximize the services designed to uplift
their condition, we continue to explore all areas of collaboration and partnership for its
extension initiatives.
Programs
1. ATIng Gulayan ng DA
In line with the DA’s thrust of ensuring food security and poverty alleviation, we aim to
showcase urban and sustainable agriculture technologies through edible landscaping.
Setting an ideal demonstration area is our very own small urban garden at the ATI Central
Office in Quezon City which features vegetables and crops cultivated using organic
farming practices.
2. Ladderized Approach to ATI Extension Services

Level 1: Learning Sites for Practical Agriculture I (LSPA I). As part of our ladderized
approach to extension service, we support the development of rural farms by certifying
them as model sites that serve as demonstration areas for hands-on learning.
Level 2: Learning Sites for Practical Agriculture II (LSPA II). We support the further
development of LSPA I farms to the next level. Once qualified, LSPA II farms offer farm
business advisory services, demonstration services, information services and training
services, whose owners/operators also become farmer-trainers cultivating not only
attitude, skills and knowledge (ASK) but also wisdom among farmers and fishers.
Level 3: Private Extension Service Providers (P-ESPs). We accredit organized institutions to
become P-ESPs that serve as our partners in the provision of extension services to
farmers/fishers and their organizations.
3. Private Extension Service Providers (P-ESPs)
As part of the Extension Accreditation Services component of our ladderized approach
to extension, we encourage individual LSPA I and LPSA II farmer/farm family operators to
form an “organization/network of extension service providers” to enable them to apply
for accreditation as our P-ESPs. Considered as full-fledged extension agencies, P-ESPs are
better equipped as our partners in the provision of extension services to farmers/fishers
and their organizations.
This is in compliance with the provisions of Section 91 of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations of the Republic Act No. 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization
Act and per DA Administrative Order No. 22, Series of 2008.
4. Farm Tourism Sites (FTS)

In line with Republic Act 10816 or the Farm Tourism Act of 2016, we assist our LSPA I and II
and P-ESP farms to meet the requirements of the Department of Tourism for accreditation
as FTS.
5. Big Brother-Small Brother Extension Partnership Scheme on Farm Tourism
To boost the farm tourism industry in the country, we encourage LSPA owners and
operators as “big brothers” who adopt small farmers as “small brothers” and capacitate
them with ASK and eventually become their partners in agribusiness.
6. Livelihood for Rural-Based Organizations (RBOs)

We strengthen the competencies of our dynamic client system through continuous
training and education support programs for Rural Improvement Clubs, 4-H Clubs, 4-H
Volunteer Leaders Association of the Philippines, Japan Agricultural Exchange Council
Alumni Association of the Philippines, Farm Home Extensionists Association of the
Philippines, Pambansang Mannalon, Mag-uuma, Magbabaul, Magsasaka ng Pilipinas
(P4MP), Magsasaka Siyentista (MS), and other professional groups of extension workers.
7. Assessment Center
In partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), we
offer assessment and accreditation services for NC II programs related to agriculture and
fisheries through our training centers that have been accredited as assessment centers,
particularly on organic agriculture and animal production.
Partnerships/ Projects
1. Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project
In partnership with the National Irrigation Association, we provide training and technical
assistance on sustainable rice production to members of the Irrigators Association in
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Region XII.
2. Better Rice Initiatives in Asia

We provide training on value chains, basic agriculture, rice specific farming techniques
and enhanced methods on training delivery to Agricultural Extension Workers and lead
farmers in Iloilo, Aurora and Southern Leyte.
3. Weather Index Based Insurance

Strengthening the capacities of our farmers and farmer associations to increase resilience
of agricultural production, we provide training/ briefings on Farmers' Decision Support
System, Good Agricultural Practices, and Climate-Smart Farmers' School.
4. ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Agricultural Training and Extension

In contribution to the total development of human capital in the agricultural and fisheries
sector, we provide training and extension on crops, fisheries and livestock, as well as
disseminating technologies in various commodities.
5. Project for Strengthening Capacity Building in Agriculture Sector in ASEAN countries

Phase 2 (CB Project 2)
We enhance the capabilities of agriculture-related practitioners and officials in ASEAN
member states through training courses, seminar, and dispatch of Japanese experts
funded by the ASEAN- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
ATI Thematic Programs

As the extension and training arm of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the ATI performs
its mandate with the following thematic programs according to the DA's Strategic
Framework for Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE):
Enhancing Access to AFE Knowledge Products and Services

This program deals with different extension clients' and stakeholders' needs for fast access
of up-to-date agriculture and agriculture-related information and knowledge. It includes
development, translation, packaging and distribution of knowledge products through
multimedia and all other modes of communication.
Strengthening the Competitiveness and Capacities of the AF Sector

This program aims to capacitate stakeholders and organized groups at various levels
(farmers, fishers, extension workers, subject matter specialists, experts, extension
managers, among others) with knowledge, attitude and skills to achieve specific
development objectives and goals. This is being done through training, education and
provision of advisory services on agriculture and fisheries.
Expanding Partnerships in Advancing Excellence in AF Extension Delivery

This program supports the initiatives of extension agencies to forge linkages with other
agencies fr collaborative undertakings to reach more clients and stakeholders and
address issues affecting the delivery of extension services.
Scaling-up AFE Innovations

This program provides for the development of new extension modalities, methodologies
and approaches that are fit to the changing extension contexts. After proven effective
through piloting, innovative extension modalities, methodologies and approaches are
institutionalized and become regular extension interventions that fall under other
Thematic Programs. It includes enriching the content of extension in relation to
competitiveness and sustainability of the agriculture and fisheries sector.
Strengthening AFE Stakeholders Capacity in Climate Change Adaptation and Risk

Management
This is a special program that specifically addresses the extension needs of stakeholders
that are affected by the adverse impacts of climate change in order to develop their
capability to withstand or adapt to such unwholesome conditions successfully. It covers
stakeholders who are potentially to be affected by impending strike of adverse climate
impacts by providing the extension services to boost their preparedness. Extension
interventions include services that may cut across all other Thematic Programs.
Improving Enabling Environment and Quality of AFE Governance
This program deals with the empowerment of extension providers for policy support,
effective management interventions, planning, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms,
budget, infrastructure and facilities.

Ati Calabarzon

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ati Calabarzon

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ati Calabarzon

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SOA OVERVIEW

Successful learners will be given training certificates after completion. (PNA)

2. Ladderized Approach to ATI Extension Services

4. Farm Tourism Sites (FTS)

6. Livelihood for Rural-Based Organizations (RBOs)

2. Better Rice Initiatives in Asia

3. Weather Index Based Insurance

4. ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Agricultural Training and Extension

5. Project for Strengthening Capacity Building in Agriculture Sector in ASEAN countries

ATI Thematic Programs

Enhancing Access to AFE Knowledge Products and Services

Strengthening the Competitiveness and Capacities of the AF Sector

Expanding Partnerships in Advancing Excellence in AF Extension Delivery

Scaling-up AFE Innovations

Strengthening AFE Stakeholders Capacity in Climate Change Adaptation and Risk

You might also like