BAR holds DA, SUC consultation on collaborative extension

21 May 2008
Christmas B. de Guzman

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), being the lead agency for research and development (R&D) will hold a consultation on the possible partnership between the Department of Agriculture and the state colleges and universities (SUCs) on collaborative extension service. The consultation is set on 21 May 2008 at the Edsa Shangrila Hotel, 1 Garden Way Ortigas Centre, Mandaluyong City.

The DA-SUC Collaborative Extension Service will serve as an intervention in response to the need to hasten transfer of technologies and to educate and equip farmers for effective acquisition and use of the information to improve agricultural productivity and competitiveness. BAR, in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) will coordinate the program at the national level with the DA-Regional Field Units (RFUs) at the regional level.

Seventy-eight SUCs have been identifies as possible partners in the R&D component of the Fertilizer, Irrigation, Education and training of farmers, Loans, Dryers and other post-harvest facilities and Seeds of high-yielding varieties (FIELDS) program. The SUCs will provide farmers education and training to further increase their yield and lower their production costs.

Expected participants during the consultation are DA secretary, directors and administrators of the DA-attached agencies and staff bureaus, DA-RFUs, regional executive directors, RIARC managers, DA-BFAR regional directors, SUC presidents, and its extension directors, and experts from different partner R&D agencies/institutions.

BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar will explain the overview of the consultation and introduce the participants. Atty. Jesus Emmanuel M. Paras, DA undersecretary for Field Operations and Fisheries, Livestock and Regulation will give the opening remarks while Secretary Arthur C. Yap will be the guest of honor.

There will be open forum/discussions after the opening ceremony to be followed by presentations on modalities and areas of expertise of selected SUCs. Representing their respective university, there are six presentors comprising of Dr. Luis Rey I. Velasco (University of the Philippines Los Baños), Dr. Rogelio D. Colting (Benguet State University), Dr. Ruben C. Sevilleja (Central Luzon State University), Dr. Benny A. Palma (Aklan State University), Dr. Virgilio G. Oliva (University of Southern Mindanao), and Dr. Glenn Aguilar (University of the Philippines Visayas).

The activity is expected to craft the working arrangements with SUCs with special commodity, thematic assignments and specific provincial responsibility. Likewise, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the DA and the SUCs will be signed to state their support and commitment to the program.

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