e-Extension Agenda July 2012 1

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Vol. IV No.2 July 2012

Philippine e-Extension Program to Adopt USDA’s Communities of Practice

Dr. Gregory Crosby (Left) discussed the USDA’s Communities of Practies (CoP) which the e-Extension for Agriculture and Fisheries will adopt this year.

DILIMAN, Quezon City – The Philippines’ e-Extension Program for Agriculture and

Fisheries will adopt the Communities of Practice (CoP) model patterned after the US Department of Agriculture’s eXtension (pronounced as e-extension) initiative.

This development came after the presentation of Dr. Gregory Crosby, National Program Leader for Sustainable Development of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food and Agriculture titled “The Communities of Practice as Integral Component of e-Extension Initiatives” during the Knowledge Sharing Forum on Good Agricultural Practices through e-Extension.

For the eXtension of USDA, a CoP is defined as a virtual network of subject matter content providers consisting of faculty, professional and para-professional staff, county educators, industry experts, clientele and government agency representation who share knowledge or competence in a specific content area. They are those who are willing to work and learn together over a period

of time to further develop and share that knowledge in forms of educational products and programs. Specifically, a CoP aims to help meet the knowledge needs of their respective Communities

of Interest (CoI) or clientele, provides stewardship of the available knowledge for their specific content area, including

e-Extension Program Presented in China ForumBEIJING, China - Grassroots innovation is often referred to as one of the essential sources of positive development impacts for the agriculture sector. Global discussions on inclusive innovation are now being done in support to the Millennium Development Goals especially aiming for sustainable development of the developing countries.

With this, the World Bank Group together with the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China organized the Regional Inclusive Innovation Policy Forum to share international and Chinese knowledge and experiences on inclusive innovation.

Inclusive innovation plays a key role in promoting inclusive growth

where the focus is on ensuring equality in access to resources and basic services. With public authorities increasingly recognize that equalizing the basic social services, especially between urban and rural areas, it should become the imperative to share the benefits of the economic development particularly of the

What’s Insidee-Extension Program Presented in Makati Agribusiness Forum-------2

Enhancements Seen for e-Extension Portal, e-Learning---------------- 2

Top 5 online courses With the Highest number of Graduates---------------- 3 ATI Presents e-Extension Program in a KM Training-Workshop in Davao-------------------- 3

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e-Extension Agenda July 2012 22

e-Extension Program Presented in Makati Agribusiness Forum

Enhancements Seen for e-Extension Portal, e-Learning

NEWS

MAKATI, Philippines – Having been recognized here and abroad, the importance of the

Department of Agriculture’s e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries in knowledge sharing as well as technology transfer through information and communication technology, the Management Association of the Philippines-AgriBusiness and Countryside Development (MAP-ABCD) Foundation Inc. invited the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to present the e-Extension Program during its Weekly Forum Meeting.

The MAP-ABCD Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated in policy advocacy and promotion of agribusiness and countryside development. The MAP-ABCDFI members represent a cross-section of Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers and other top management practitioners from the largest local and

multinational companies operating in the Philippines.

The ATI, as the lead implementing agency of the DA's e-Extension Program, has been invited to the MAP-ABCD's agribusiness forum to discuss the program among these top management practitioners. ATI's Antonieta J. Arceo, chief of the Knowledge Products Management Division, presented the different components of the program specifically the e-Learning, e-Farming through the Farmers' Contact Center and e-trading. Likewise, Arceo discussed the Nutrient Manager for Rice (NMRice) service which is in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

MAP-ABCDFI Chairman Ramon K. Ilusorio lauded the e-Extension Program specifically “its effort to help the farmers who are in the countryside”. Ilusorio also

suggested to link up the program to the other members of the Foundation.

The forum was held last March 6, 2012 at the Metropolitan Club, Corner Estrella and Rockwell Drive Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City. (BCNatividad)

MALAY, Aklan – Intending to further improve the services and programs under the

e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), as its lead implementing agency, recently held the e-Extension Portal Content Workshop and e-Learning Documentation Writeshop in this province.

The writeshop was specifically aimed in coming up with a standard operations manual that will guide the e-Extension coordinators as well as the e-Learning admin team in implementing the frontend and backend tasks of e-Learning.

Furthermore, discussions during the workshops included the standard operating procedures in promoting

the e-Extension Program, enrollment of the e-Learners to the courses and the distribution of certificates to the graduates. Likewise, brainstorming sessions for the content of the e-Extension portal was conducted to feature the services that can be accessed through the site.

The activity was held last February 20 to 24, 2012. (BCNatividad)

4H coordinators support the e-Extension programSTA. BARBARA, Pangasinan - A total of 25 e-Learning certificates were awarded during the closing program of the Enhancement Course cum Assessment Meeting for 4-H Club Coordinators on February 2, 2012 at ATI-RTC I, Tebag, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan.

Among the online courses taken were Basic Agricultural Marketing, From Seed to Seed Corn Production Technology, Vermicomposting, Managing Common Diseases in Banana, Walang Aray sa AI, Extension Delivery System and Yummy Yum Ubi.

e-Learning for agri students

A total of 200 agriculture students and faculty attended the e-Learning Briefing last February 6, 2012 at the Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), Tiaong Campus. The participants were introduced to the e-Extension Program of the Department of Agriculture. There were hands-on activities on how to avail the online services of the Farmers’ Contact Center and how to enroll in the e-courses of the ATI.

The participants from SLSU were headed by its Dean, Dr. Wenceslao Durante while Rolando V. Maningas, Information Officer of ATI Region IVA conducted the briefing.

e-Extension for the Youths

e-Extension Agenda July 2012 3

NEWSTop 5 e-Learning

Courses

1Managing Common Diseases in Banana

Banana1 tops the list of online courses with the highest number of graduates with 715 graduates of the 922 enrollees for a 77.5 % graduation mark. Also, it is one of the five pioneer courses that were launched in December 2007. This course is a comprehensive guide on how to eradicate the common diseases in banana.

2 Organic Fertilizer for Sustainable Agriculture

With 689 graduates, Organic1 comes second on this list. From the 915 enrollees, there are about 75% graduates from this course. Launched last August 2010, the course is a three-module course that would take you through the methods of production and application of organic fertilizer for your own use.

3Integrated Pest Management for Banana

Coming in at third with 469 graduates out of the 631 enrollees, Banana2 is part of a trilogy banana courses developed by ATI-Caraga. This course was launched in July 2010 and is composed of seven modules that identify, describe and differentiate the symptoms of the various pests afflicting banana.

4Vermicomposting: Turning Trash to Cash

This course is considered one of the in-demand courses because in just a year’s time of being offered, it already cracked the top five courses with the highest graduates. Launched last June 2011, it now has 351 graduates from 505 enrollees for a 69.5% graduation mark. Vermi1 provides the learners with the basic knowledge needed to engage in vermicomposting or at the very least use vermicompost in their crops.

5Establishing Feed Resources for Your Goats

With 348 graduates from 558 enrollees, goat1 completes the top five online courses with the highest number of graduates. This course is the first of a six-part goat courses and one of the five pioneer courses offered in the e-Learning site. The course discusses how to establish the feed resources for goats and ensure their availability all throughout the year.

emerging countries.Since the Philippine e-Extension

Program has the same objectives in providing equal accessibility to its end-users, the Agricultural Training Institute represented by Director Asterio P. Saliot, has been invited to present the e-Extension Program among the key stakeholders in inclusive innovation from the various international institutions at the said Policy Forum held in Beijing, China. Other presenters came from the Ministries of Finance and Central Banks from Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Japan, Korea, among others.

The Regional Inclusive Innovation Policy Forum was attended by the

delegates composed of Finance Ministers, research and development practitioners as well as representatives from the private sector in the East Asia Region. Some of the discussions during the forum focused on the concept of Inclusive Innovation, Promoting and Diffusing Grassroots Innovation, Fiscal and Financial Policies as well as Favorable Policy Environment for Inclusive Innovation. Collaboration and coordination for Inclusive Innovation was also tackled.

The Policy Forum was held from May 23 to 24, 2012 at the Hotel Nikko New Century, Beijing, China and hosted by Asia Pacific Finance and Development Centre in collaboration with the KDI School of Public Policy and Management. (BCNatividad)

e-Extension Program Presented in China Forum...From page 1

Based on the number of graduates As of June 2012

ATI Presents e-Extension Program in a KM Training-Workshop in Davao

DAVAO CITY – The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as the training and extension arm

of the Department of Agriculture has been one of the few institutions who practices Knowledge Management (KM) for its various programs and services. Tasked to document and record the latest developments in agricultural research and the good agricultural practices and sharing these knowledge to the farmers and fishers, KM has been very effective for ATI.

It is in this regard that ATI was

invited in a Training-Workshop on Knowledge Management Capacity Building that was conducted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study in Research and Agriculture (SEARCA) and DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR). Antonieta Arceo, OIC-Chief of ATI’s Knowledge Products Management Division shared the ATI’s efforts for knowledge sharing.

The training-workshop aimed to discuss and understand concepts and tools of information and knowledge management as well as agree on a

conceptual definition and approach to KM that could apply to the agriculture and fisheries sector. Participants comprised mainly of Information Officers from DA-Regional Field Offices in Regions 9, 10, 11, 12 and Caraga.

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify, create, represent,

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e-Extension Agenda July 2012 4

AT THE REGIONSICT Literacy

Training for RBOs, AEWs Held

Nutrient Manager for Rice tackled in series of trainings,

agri forum in Region VIII

EL SALVADOR, Misamis Oriental -- The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training

Center 10 recently held series of ICT Literacy Training and Web Appreciation Course for officers of the rural-based organizations (RBOs) and for the agricultural extension workers (AEWs).

The first of the series of training was attended by the officers of the RBOs in Iligan City last March 26 to 28, 2012. About 26 AEWs from the municipal and provincial agriculture offices in Camiguin attended the second batch which was held last April 11 to 13, 2012.

The trainings aimed to equip the participants on the basic and advanced computer operations and orient them on the Department of Agriculture’s e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries.

In return, the participants of both trainings were appreciative of the efforts exerted by the ATI, citing that to become more efficient in the discharge of their functions and duties, they need to keep pace with the technology that is already invading their lives. All of them agreed that they need to “embrace the e-world to deliver better and effective extension (services).”

Before the training was conducted, most of the RBO officers in Iligan City have almost zero knowledge in computer operations. The participants have proven their heart for agricultural extension and their determination to learn outweighed whatever limitations they had.

The AEWs, on the other hand, have some basic knowledge on ICT, hence advanced modules appropriate to their work were given to them. Lessons on how to use the MS Office particularly on how to mailmerge, incorporating graphs and other statistics in presentations, softwares, computer viruses, among others were discussed to them.

The ATI RTC 10 staff served as resource persons of the trainings. (Noemi Beth G. Macario, ATI-RTC 10)

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte -- About 18 agricultural extension workers (AEWs) from the provinces of

Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran and Samar in Region VIII came to the reinforcement course on computer-based data management training last March 27 to 30, 2012 where they were also briefed on the Nutrient Manager for Rice (or NMRice) application. Another batch of this similar training was also held last July 3 to 6, 2012 in this province.

Likewise, about 300 participants

of the Farm Family Forum held in Naval, Biliran last April 11 to 12, 2012 were briefed on the NMRice that can be accessed via the mobile phone by calling the toll-free number 2378 for Globe subscribers or by accessing the mobile application using Android smartphones. e-Extension coordinator Dennis Boyd R. Baltazar also presented the NMRice web-based application and the e-Extension Program of the Department of Agriculture, specifically the online courses offered via the e-learning

portal and the services of the Farmers’ Contact Center.

The forum brought together the representatives from the various rural-based organizations in the region, particularly the members of the 4-H Clubs, Pambansang Mannalon-Mag-uugma-Magbabaul ng Pilipinas (P4MP) and the Rural Improvement Clubs. (Hazel Grace T. Taganas, ATI RTC VIII)

CABAGAN, Isabela - Forty-ive new agricultural extension workers (AEWs) of the Local

Government Units in Region 2 attended the training on Extension Delivery System conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center Cagayan Valley on May 1 to 4, 2012. Highlighting the activity was the briefing on the Department of Agriculture’s e-Extension Program where ATI is the lead implementing agency.

The briefing included the overview of e-extension program

and components, the on-line courses offered and how to enroll, the Farmers Contact Center (FCC) and the Nutient Manager for Rice Mobile (NMRiceMobile). The participants appreciated the information given to them, hence, during their action plan preparation they included briefing on e-Extension with farmer clients as part of their re-entry activities. The participants were those Agricultural Technologists newly recruited by the LGUs and have not attended Extension Delivery System Course.(Norma G. Maddalora, ATI-RTC 2)

45 New AEWs briefed on e-Extension in Region 2

e-Extension Agenda July 2012 5

Products produced by ATI.The participants were taught on

how to register and enroll at the e-Learning Portal. As

AT THE REGIONSTOT participants in Region I briefed on the

e-Extension program

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan - Incorporating the topic on ICT on Agricultural Extension

to Season-Long Training of Trainers on Sustainable Rice Production, the participants got a glimpse of the e-Extension Program of the Department of Agriculture last February 2, 2012 at Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I), Tebag, Sta. Barbara.

Maricel Dacapias, the e-Extension Coordinator of the Region presented the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries focusing on the five components: (1) e-Learning courses offered; (2) the e-Farming component that features services through voice (call) and short messaging system (text) modes thru a pre-defined toll-free number specified across the country, including chat and email through the Farmers’ Contact Center (FCC) and the Nutrient Manager for Rice tool that can be accessed through a mobile phone application and the internet, (3) the School on-the Air Program and its features; (4) the Techno Gabay Program; and (5) the Knowledge

ATI-MIMAROPA, WPU to Promote e-Extension Program

PALAWAN -- As a means of involving the experts for knowledge sharing through the

Department of Agriculture’s e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) in MIMAROPA inked an agreement with the Western Philippines University (WPU) to promote the program further

in this province.Faculty members from the

Colleges of Agriculture, Fisheries, Business Management and Information Technology and some senior agriculture students of WPU were first oriented on the e-Extension Program last March 8 and 9, 2012 in two campuses in Puerto Princesa and Aborlan, respectively.

e-Extension coordinator Graciel Gacutan of ATI-RTC 4B served as resource speaker during the orientation and she emphasized the relevance of the e-Extension Program especially among state universities and colleges like WPU. (Josephine Darm, ATI-RTC IVB)

registered users, they can access and enroll in various agriculture related

e-Learning courses, access and download digital learning resources (techno-kits), view video clips that can be requested; and, participate

in an online forum and discussion. They were also guided and

encouraged to register in the database of AEWs in the region. (Mariel D. Dacapias, ATI-RTC I)

Thank you po, I am done with the e-course for swine management. Malaking bagay po ito, lalo na at nag-uumpisa na kami sa pagbababuyan. - Fanny Emano, Sorsogon

Excellent po talaga ang course on community organizing. Malaking tulong ito sa amin na mga educators and transfer our learning to the students.Thank you. - Hope Esparagosa, South Cotabato

Nais kong pasalamatan ang lahat ng taong nakapaloob sa programang ito, lalo na ang mga gumagabay sa aming pagaaral, partikular sa akin na totoong may kahirapan ng umintindi at nawa’y patuloy kayong maging mapagpasensya kung maging paulit ulit ang aking mga katanungan.Dahil sa programang ito ay nabubuhayan ako ng pagasa na may maganda pang bukas para sa mga Pilipinong nais marating ang isang masaganang kinabukasan. MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO! - Elito Manzano, Occidental Mindoro

Thanks a lot for this wonderful and inspiring learning site.- Anthony Embrado, Palawan

What our e-Learners say

e-Extension Agenda July 2012 6

Snapshots

Participants of the International Training Course on Farmer Led Extension (FLE) Delivery System

were briefed on the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries specifically on e-learning and the Farmer’s Contact Center (FCC). Participating countries includes Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myammar and the Philippines. The briefing was held last April 23, 2012 at the Agriculture and Fisheries Knowledge Center, ATI Central Office, Diliman, Quezon City.

DILIMAN, Quezon City – Three visitors from Bhutan who were participating in a training

workshop on Results-based Management Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation conducted by the Development Center for Asia, Africa and Pacific (DCAAP) visited the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to learn on the e-Extension Program as well as the extension programs and services of the ATI.

The three Bhutanese were Planning Officers from the Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest of Bhutan. They were Bindu M Tamang, Kencho Thinley and Dema. The briefing was held last June 1, 2012 at the Agriculture and Fisheries Knowledge Center, ATI Central Office, Diliman, Quezon City.

ATI Strengthens Magsasaka Siyentista of the Philippines

MALAYBALAY, Bukidnon – As one of the rural-based organizations (RBO) being

empowered by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the farmer-scientists and the e-Extension coordinators recently gathered in this province for a training-orientation on

the Techno Gabay Program (TGP).Magsasaka Siyentista (MS), or

the farmer-scientist, is one of the components of the TGP who is an outstanding farmer who has applied

science and technology-based farming system. Those who have considered as MS have established interventions that promote the use of relevant science-based technologies, and they extend farmer-to-farmer advisory services.

With this, the ATI initiated a three-day training-orientation to orient the MS and e-Extension coordinators on the implementation of the MS component of the TGP as well as to plan activities in strengthening the organization. A visit to Binahon Agro-Forestry Farm was conducted to further familiarize the participants on how farms are established

as a learning site.The Training-Orientation was held

last March 20 to 22, 2012 at Veranda, Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.(BCNatividad)

Increasing Corn Farm Productivity through the Use of Mechanization TechnologiesBoost the efficiency and minimize the hard labor in your farming operations! Learn the ins and outs of farm mechanization from its definition, levels, importance and economic benefits as well as the different technologies used in corn production and postproduction. This is brought to you by Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech).

Technological Alternatives to Traditional Feeding Management (Goat4)Know more about stall feeding when you enrol in the latest e-Learning course on Goat. It is a 2-moduled online course that discusses the basic concepts in goat nutrition and stall feeding, specifically: the feeding characteristics and nutrient requirements of goats, and the basic information and feed resources available for stall feeding. This is brought to you by DOST-PCAARRD

Try our new Online CoursesEnroll for free at www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning

e-Extension Agenda July 2012 7

ATI School-on-the-Air Implementers now KBP Accredited Members

NEWS

DAVAO CITY -- Recognizing the need to upgrade the skills and knowledge as well as their

credibility of implementing School-on-the-Air (SOA) Program, the technical staff who are SOA implementers are now accredited members of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the broadcast media organization in the Philippines.

The first batch of the newly accredited KBP members consisted of the e-Extension Coordinators of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and was joined by farmcasters from regions 6, 9 and 11. They attended the training especially designed for the SOA implementers of the ATI Network of Training Centers.

ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot lauded the participants’ efforts and noted that “it is an opportunity to be accredited by the KBP which you can

use in the future.”KBP President - Davao Chapter

Roy Geonzon served as the resource speaker of the training. He discussed the Broadcast Code of the Philippines, major issues on libels and the accreditation process of the

organization. The participants took the written accreditation exam at the end of the training.

The training for the first batch was held last May 28 to June 1, 2012 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in this city. (BCNatividad)

Available at ATI Central Office, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City

e-Extension Agenda July 2012 8

Editor Pamela MG Mappala

Writers Benedict C. Natividad (ATI-CO) Maricel D. Dacapias (ATI-RTC 1) Norma Maddalora (ATI-RTC 2) Josephin Darm (ATI-RTC 4B) Hazel Grace Taganas (ATI-RTC 8) Noemi Beth Macario (ATI-RTC 10) Layout Artist Benedict C. Natividad

Editorial Consultants Antonieta J. Arceo Jose Rey Y. Alo

Advisers Asterio P. Saliot MNSA, CESO III Evelyn Aro-Esquejo PhD, MNSA, CESO VI Alberto B. Maningding MNSA, CESO IV

The e-Extension AgendaVolume IV No.2

June 2012

revisions, updates and maintenance. Also, the group promotes the best practice development of educational products and programs, innovation in content area knowledge and delivery and ongoing engagement with their corresponding CoI.

The forum was attended by the representatives of the various agencies under the Department of Agriculture as well as DOST’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). The Agricultural Training Institute’s (ATI) network of training centers have also been represented at the forum with the Center Directors and the e-Extension Coordinators.

Dr. Crosby also had a roundtable discussion with the Philippine e-Extension Team after the forum. Dr. Crosby further shared their experiences during the early years of developing the contents of these CoPs and extended an invitation for the e-Extension Program “to examine the CoP model and extract the useful elements for your Program.” He also urged the e-Extension team “to use the content but curate and tailor for your local audiences and don’t forget to provide credit.”

ATI Director Asterio Saliot willingly accepted and said that “we can see the opportunity beyond this challenge and we gladly accept it.”

Currently, the ATI plans to start Communities of Practice on swine and organic agriculture. With swine, it will be in partnership with International Training on International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH)

while organic agriculture is seen as a viable choice because of it being a priority program of Philippine Department of Agriculture.

The Knowledge Sharing Forum was held at the Serrano Hall, ATI Building, Quezon City last March 30, 2012. (BCNatividad)

PHL e-Extension Program to Adopt USDA’s CoPFrom page 1

ATI Presents e-Extension Program in a KM Training-Workshop....From page 3

distribute, and enable adoption of insights and experiences. Such insights and experiences comprise knowledge, either embodied in individuals or embedded in organizations as processes or practices.

ATI has enhanced its use of KM when the Institute launched the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries in 2007, an extension delivery system that uses Information Communication and Technology in disseminating knowledge to clienteles.

Other services that the ATI have offered that employ KM were the production of Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials on various agricultural technologies. ATI also produced various techno-based videos on crops and livestock. Another KM effort that the ATI through its e-extension Program will undertake is the Communities of Practice that will be initiated later in the year.

The Training Workshop was held last May 31, 2012 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Lanang, Davao City.(BCNatividad)