Harmonizing and complementing the delivery of agri-fishery extension services to agri stakeholders, the Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region, in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC), conducted a Harmonization and Planning Workshop for FY 2023 at the DA-RFO I Conference Room, City of San Fernando La Union on February 8, 2023.

Dr. Annie Q. Bares, Regional Executive Director, in her message, recognized the concerted efforts of both agencies in complementing the extension services to maximize the resources of DA.

With the increase in budget for DA-RFO and DA-ATI in the current year to finance the delivery of extension support services under the Extension Support, Education and Training Services, Dr. Bares is optimistic that both offices could come up with a cohesive agreement and doable plans so that resources will not be wasted.

Dir. Rogelio Evangelista of ATI-RTC shared the same insights as he briefly explained the need to harmonize ESETs activities in the region.

Finding the fragmented extension delivery system, duplication of agri-fishery and extension (AFE) services, coverage and beneficiaries, low impact of AFE programs that leads to low productivity and income as among the challenges that the region faced in previous years, the complementation and harmonization activity such as these paved way for both agencies to have a holistic approach in implementing their extension delivery services.

By sharing the physical as well as financial resources, technical expertise and synchronizing all important activities and extension strategies, Dir. Evangelista noted that it will not only expand the delivery of extension services but more importantly enhance and strengthen the partnership and linkages for both agencies.

True to their commitment to collaborate and complement their activities, both agency representatives for every sector identified the major extension-related activities for CY 2023 that include among others trainings, advocacy support, information, education campaigns using various platforms.

To further assess the implementation of the identified collaborative activities, both agencies agreed to conduct an assessment on the implementation of the projects by the end of the year.###