News > DA-SUC-LGU Collaborative Extension Service in Region 3 concludes; Dir Eleazar identifies four areas to focus on

DA-SUC-LGU Collaborative Extension Service in Region 3 concludes; Dir Eleazar identifies four areas to focus on

30 July 2008
Rita T. dela Cruz

Following the national consultation workshop on collaborative extension service (CES) held at the Shangri-La Hotel in May and two planning workshops conducted in Region 1 and CAR and Mindanao Cluster, it's now Region 3's turn.

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), in coordination with the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), and the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit III (DA-RFU), organizes the "DA-SUC-LGU Collaborative Extension Service Planning Workshop for Region 3" at CLSU, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on 30-31 July 2008.

The two-day planning workshop was aimed at designing and coordinating workable extension methodologies following the concept of shared responsibilities between and among DA, SUCs, and LGUs. BAR, being the lead agency for R&D/E, leads in organizing and coordinating these batches of planning workshops and consultations to prepare and finalize the Regional/Provincial Agriculture Plans and Programs (2008-2010) and agree on specific responsibilities of partnering institutions.

BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar in his message, emphasized the crucial role of SUCs and LGUs in view of the Rice Self-Sufficiency Plan and re-echoed the importance of conducting the CES planning workshop for Region 3.

Specifically, Dir. Eleazar identified four major areas that could serve as guidelines in preparing the extension service plan of the region. These are: 1) SUCs to help DA in the provision of technical assistance based on their fields of specialization; 2) provide training programs for LGU extension workers and DA in the regions; 3) serve as back-up to the LGU extensionists in the conduct of extension service in agriculture and fisheries; and 4) allot areas for seed production.

Dr. Manuel F. Bonifacio, BAR consultant and member of the DA National Experts Team, lectured on the "Framework for a Unified Extension Service" in connection with Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap's pronouncements of making agriculture a business and an efficient, information-driven sector. In perspective, he posed five specific questions to serve as guidelines in making their regional action plan on extension service: What is its focal concern? What does it take to increase production? What is wrong with agriculture? What do we want to do with agriculture? What is the problem with technology transfers?

Other guests were Dr. Libertad C. Rivera of DA-RFU III, CLSU President Ruben C. Sevilleja; and CLSU President Emeritus Fortunato A. Battad who each provided their message of support for the activity.

The opening activity was followed by a series of presentations focusing on the status of rice in Central Luzon and an updated situationer of the extension service in Region 3 and SUCs. Culminating the second day was the presentations of workshop output which will be consolidated and evaluated for inclusion in the Unified Extension Service for Region 3.

The planning workshop was attended by more than 100 participants and representatives from the DA national and regional offices, SUCs, Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC), Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC), and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).