1. December 2008 e-Extension Agenda 1
Vol. I No. 2 December 2008
Online learning
gets popular
Among AEWs
“e-Learning a year after...”
A
fter its grand launching in
December of 2007, the e-
Learning component of the
e-Extension program continues to
make waves.
With its main objective of
providing an alternative mode of
training for agricultural extension
workers (AEW), farmers and
fishers. The e-Learning site was
able to amass a total of 1,518
registered users, 878 enrollees and
411 graduates.
The 11 online courses currently
available focused mainly on marine
and fisheries, crops and livestock.
page 8
ATI Caraga holds first-ever
e-Learning graduation in Butuan
N
(AEW) in Butuan City, is just one Last October 9, 2008 during
o-frill. No-fee. Just with her
of the 83 AEWs, farmers, women, ATI-Caraga’s Octoberfest
fingertips knowledge was a
and rural youth who finished celebration, a graduation ceremony
click away anytime,
the online course on Managing was held for those who successfully
anywhere. She surfed, studied,
Common Diseases in Banana completed the said online course.
and aced the tests. Then, few
developed by the Agricultural “I’m very glad having enrolled
months later she earned her course
Training Institute-Regional Training in this internet-based course.
certificate – not by means of the
Center XIII (ATI-Caraga). They It helped me gain additional
traditional face-to-face instruction
are pioneers of this new extension knowledge especially on how to
though, but via the cyberhighway!
program launched by ATI in the control various banana diseases
Ms. Merilyn Laurenciana,
an agricultural extension worker later part of 2007. page 3
2. 2 e-Extension Agenda December 2008
e-Extension advocate lauds
Philippine e-Extension program
M
r. Dean Powers, an this is not a temporary trend, considerable resources behind
Australian advocate of but a fundamental shift. So the eExtension. There are already a
eExtension recognized Agricultural Training Institute number of online videos in the crop
the e-Extension Program as one has been appointed to lead the videos section of the site, including
initiative that would surely boost the provision of eExtension services. one on the cultivation of Tilapia. This
agriculture and fisheries sector. During recent Octoberfest particular video might alarm some
In his blog celebration the Australia readers as Tilapia are the
thinkeextension. Agricultural subject of invasive pest management
com, Mr. Powers Training extension efforts. No doubt
said, “No doubt Institute Philippine agriculture will benefit
Philippine agriculture Director from their government’s foresight as
will benefit from Asterio Saliot their program develops.”
their government’s foresight as their promoted the use of the eExtension Moreover, in time for the mass
program develops.” Here’s the services by web and mobile phone graduation recently held in Butuan
complete blog post. as a means to free education. City, Philippines, about 83 farmers
“The Philippine government While the associated web portal and extension workers graduated last
has recognized that many in their is in its beta phase, and content October 9, 2008 after completing the
farming community are accessing is in development, it is significant online course on Managing Common
information electronically and that that the government should put Diseases in Banana. See banner story
on the said event. (BCNatividad)
Knowledge Management: an Alternative and
Supplemental strategy to bolster ATI’s Extension delivery
“ reason why we convened
The we just have to work on an over- to integrate and harmonize the vast
here is basically to put our all system for the establishment knowledge and data bases that are
minds together so that we can of our Farmer’s Contact Center frequently asked by the farming and
come up with better strategies, which connects our farmers and fishing sector.
establish a collective effort and an technicians. It is by tapping our page 3
integrated service with a common ICT that we can immediately The e-Extension Agenda
understanding by optimizing the respond to the issues we have on Vol. I No. 2
December 2008
resources we have in hand. We hand in the field and thus, avoid
don’t have to re-invent the wheel; repeating the mistakes of the past.” Editor Theresa Aurora B. Cosico
These were the Writers Vic Thor A. Palarca
remarks affirmed Benedict C. Natividad
by Assistant Contributor Jason Paul Dads E. Jampac
ATI-CARAGA
Director for Layout Artist Benedict C. Natividad
Technical Services
Evelyn Aro- Editorial Consultants Antonieta J. Arceo
Pamela MG. Mappala
Esquejo during the Jose Rey Y. Alo e-Learning
recently concluded Process
Consultative Adviser
Advisers
Workshop in AD Evelyn Aro-Esquejo MNSA, CESO VI
relation to the AD Alberto B. Maningding MNSA, CESO IV
development of a Dir. Asterio P. Saliot MNSA, CESO III
knowledge base
Mr. Rey Alo, the e-Learning process adviser talks about the
knowledge base.
3. December 2008 e-Extension Agenda 3
e-learning Graduation... course went through the course’s learning tools such as pictures and
From page 1
nine modules representing the nine audio/video media to supplement
since these have become a major the lectures in text form. e-learners
common diseases namely Bugtok,
concern among the banana growers likewise can consult experts
Bunchy Top, Banana Mosaic,
here,” Ms.
Banana Bract Mosaic, committed to helping them through
Laurenciana email/chat services, message boards
Yellow Sigatoka,
replied when or real time telephone consultation to
Black Sigatoka,
interviewed answer queries and concerns.
Panama Disease,
by ABS-CBN Although the course is offered all
Banana Freckle and
Butuan during a
Moko. Each module is year round e-learners are required to
press conference. finish it within two months only.
divided into detailed
Speaking Other online courses being
learnings called
before a
lessons that included offered in the said site include abaca
group of local production, citrus production, corn
the disease’s mode
mediamen, ATI Director Asterio P. production, durian production, high
of transmission, symptoms, and
Saliot enjoined AEWs and farmers value vegetable production, coffee
its control measures. After every
alike to avail of the free education production, bamboo growing, goat
module, the e-learners took up a
and training being offered by the production, seaweed farming, and
ten-item end-of-
Department of Agriculture through swine husbandry.
module (EOM)
its website www.e-extension.gov.ph. Also available
test where their
As the lead in electronic in the web are
aggregate score
Extension Program in Agriculture farm and business
should not be
and Fisheries, ATI hopes to provide advisory services
below 60% of the
its clientele alternative means of and digital techno/
perfect score in
accessing information on new info kits that are
order to pass the
agricultural techniques to empower in web-based
course.
them to make better decisions. and printable and
To ensure optimal learning
e-learners enrolled in the banana
experience, the course also contained downloadable form.(JPDEJampac)
Knowledge Management...
From page 2
The said knowledge base shall
compose of various agricultural
e-Extension program:
information that are frequently
Gaining ground worldwide
T
asked by farmers and fishers in the
country. hrough the graduation’s e-agriculture.org, a website being
“This time around, the media mileage in print, radio maintained by the United Nations
inception of the development of the and TV Food and Agriculture Organization
knowledge management system it was able to help the e-Extension (UN-FAO) and its partners.
aims to gather the Frequently Program gain more ground not only Moreover, Mr. Dean Powers, an
Asked Questions (FAQs), provide Caraga-wide but worldwide as well. Australian consultant, also picked up
the answers, and indicate the Among the media outlets who cov- PIA’s press release and became the
information source by putting ered the e-learning graduation in Bu- basis of his article lauding the
up this so called “tags.” A tag is tuan was the Philippine Information Philippine government in its
an online term used to direct an Agency (PIA) who wrote about the commitment in incorporating eE-
internet user to a particular topic by event in its website at www.pia.gov. xtension into current extension ef-
using a specific keyword. All of the ph last October 10, 2008. A similar forts. (Jason Paul Dads E. Jampac)
knowledge and data base will be story was also posted at www.
gathered from a pool of point/focal
person in every attached bureaus
page 8
6. 6 e-Extension Agenda December 2008
Agrilink 2008 promotes “niche market”
A
s the financial crunch is strong economically-speaking and for the new comprehensive farm
flexing its dreaded might, agribusiness is the way to survive this production and support program
countries such as the USA financial crisis. to increase productivity, which is
and European countries are already “The President used agribusiness called FIELDS short for Fertilizer,
gearing up to prevent further plunge to define an entire national policy Irrigation and farm to market
into the crisis, the Philippines is not on agriculture, it is the belief of the roads, Extension, Loans, Dryers
an exception and now planning how President that if you want to be strong and Postharvest and Seeds.
to survive this problem. in terms of self-sufficiency, in terms of The ATI gave out IEC
The government specifically the food security, the only path is through materials for various production
Department of Agriculture (DA) the profitability of our farmers and guides. Visitors recognized the
already came up with a solution to that can only be achieved through materials to be helpful for their
avoid economic growth stagnation agribusiness,” Yap said. agricultural ventures. The ATI
or worst economic recession. Tan and PGMA stressed that booth also showed production
The 15th International agrilink could be the venue where guide video for crops and
Agribusiness Exhibition & farmers and investors discover livestock and accepted new
Seminars, 9th International Food possible foreign clients for their enrollees for the online courses.
Processing, Packaging and Products products that could be exported. New AgriLink is the agribusiness
Exhibition, 4th National Fisheries market niche that would be substantial exhibition and conference
Exhibition and Seminars or in overcoming of the financial organized by Foundation
Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink for crisis. “We have to look beyond for Resource Linkage and
short, held last October 9 to11, 2008 the traditional markets and explore Development, Inc (FRLD)
at the World Trade Center, Pasay consumer mindset. I believe this is annually in October. From its
City. With a theme “Sustaining what makes Agrilink, Foodlink and first show in 1994, it is now
Agricultural Growth through Aqualink the event that provides the the Philippine’s largest annual
Niche Markets,” experts in the window to transnational consumers,” international agribusiness event,
agribusiness sector believe that this Tan said. attracting hundreds of exhibitors
“niche market” is the way to go in “Kaya napakalaki ang and thousands of visitors from
order for the Philippines to survive importansya nitong Agrilink, Foodlink around the world.
this crisis. at Aqualink, malaki ang naitutulong A good number of foreign or
“I hope we are far to be upang paramihin ang ani at international companies from the
affected by the financial crunch in palawakin ang mga merkado ng mga page 7
the US or some European countries. produkto
The problem is the United States natin mula
and Europe are the major market sa bukid at
power for our exports,” said sa dagat,”
Lyndon Tan , this year’s head of the President
Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink GMA
exhibits. “That’s why focusing on added.
a niche specific market segment for The
one product is highly competitive Agrilink
and can uniquely satisfy a market exhibit also
goal,” Tan added. served as a
DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap medium to
says that the President understands the public
that agribusiness is the key in
order for the Philippines to stay DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap checks the latest online content of DA’s e-
Extension website during the AgriLink fair while Ms.Cosico answers his
query.
7. December 2008 e-Extension Agenda 7
Agrilink 2008..... More online courses..... While the course “Growing
From page 6 From page 8 Bamboo for Profit and a Healthy
course module. The certificates will Environment” will bring online
USA, Netherlands, United Kingdom,
be stamped and signed by the agency enrollees into the world of bamboo
Israel, other European and Asian
head. — all about growing bamboo not
countries were among the exhibitors.
Meanwhile, three more courses only for its economic potential, but
Visitors consisted of entrepreneurs and
were added to accommodate and entice also for its aesthetic, environmental
professionals in agriculture, animal
farmers who are interested on Seaweed and ecological significance. Going
breeding, machinery and equipment,
Farming, Arabica Coffee and Bamboo. through the course will equip the
animal health and nutrition,
Seaweed Farming is a four- enrollees with rudimental and
horticulture, among others.
module course that provide additional practical knowledge about growing
FoodLink is the annual exhibition
knowledge on the different aspects bamboo for various management
for food products, processing and
of improved seaweed farming objectives.
packaging industries. This is where
including site selection, preparation, Future courses on Agribusiness
leading international equipment
transport, seedling maintenance, Marketing and Abaca Pest
suppliers showcase their knowledge
harvesting, post-harvest handling and Management as well as 32 more
products and technology to the local
packaging of the seaweeds. courses on various technologies are
food industry.
Arabica Coffee course presents lined up to be offered for 2009.
Products on exhibition include
the A to Z of growing high quality All the full online courses are
packaging equipment, processing
Arabica coffee in the Philippines. currently exclusive to Filipinos here
technologies, refrigeration equipment
It starts with seed selection, crop and abroad because of the courses’
and various foodstuffs. FoodLink
production management, harvesting, local recommendations. Browse
provides a broad platform for
postharvest processing, and ends with www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning/
international food and equipment
marketing. The knowledge learned for a list of available courses of your
suppliers to promote their products
from this course will be supplemented choice.(VTPalarca)
and services. It is a venue to meet food
with field demonstrations and
buyers and penetrate the lucrative
supervised practicum by selected
Philippine food industry.(BNatividad)
collaborators and partners.
Techno Guide on
Banana Production
Out Now!!!
Includes the following brochures:
Banana Varieties
Harvest and Post Harvest
Propagation of Bananas
Field Planting and Cultural
Management
Integrated Pest Management
8. 8 e-Extension Agenda December 2008
More online courses on
DA e-Learning site
M
ore online courses are now user and both as a registered and at the
available in the e-Learning same time enrolled user.
site. There are six courses Each certificate course is broken
that are on rolling mode and four down into modules and each module
courses that are on test run. is made up of lessons or key concept
The courses that are on rolling which may contain an “unscored” self-
mode are Banana, Citrus, Corn, assessment question. A field activity
Abaca Duarian and Goat while course which requires face-to-face interaction
that are on test run are Coffee arabica, is also optional to some course lessons.
Bamboo, Seaweed Farming and High All courses after the test run are
Value Vegetables in Greenhouse. launched nationally as rolling courses.
For starters, there are three (3) In order for enrollees to graduate
entry points to the e-Learning website and get their course certificate, they
as a public viewer; as a registered page 7
have to pass the module teston each
e-Learning a year after... Knowledge Management...
From page 1 From page 3 Present during the workshop
The course Managing common were representatives from the
and agencies”, Mr. Jose Rey Alo,
diseases in banana has the most different agencies and line bureaus
ATI’s e-Learning process advisor
number of enrollees with 146 as well coming from the Fertilizer and
stressed.
as the most number of graduates Pesticide Authority (FPA), Bureau
The knowledge management
(80). This 9-module course is a of Plant Industry (BPI), Fiber
system inclusive of the content
comprehensive guide on how to Industry Development Authority
therein also serves as a cursor to
eliminate the common diseases in (FIDA), Cotton Development
the experts and authorities on topic
banana. The online course on high Administration (CODA), Bureau
like technical advisory services,
value vegetable in greenhouse ranks of Agricultural Statistics (BAS),
investments and market trends, data
second on the number of enrollees Bureau of Post-Harvest Research
on agri-producers and suppliers, and
with 115 followed by Feed resources and Extension (BPRE), Philippine
online farm and business advisory.
for your goats with 101 enrollees and Coconut Authority (PCA),
In this regard, the initial
39 graduates. Bureau of Agricultural Research
knowledge base that will be
The corn online course has 71 (BAR), Bureau of Soils and Water
developed shall serve as reference
enrollees and 21 graduates, durian has Management (BSWM), Bureau
guide for the delivery of a text
99 enrollees and 21 graduates, citrus of Animal Industry (BAI), GMA-
support center as another accessible
with 48 enrollees and 30 graduates. HVCC, GMA-Corn, DA-AMAS
hotline for clients’ queries.
Slaughter goat enterprise has 41 and the Knowledge Product
The Text Support Center will be
enrollees with 27 graduates. Management Division (KPMD)
launched in January 2009 initially
Courses on bamboo, coffee arabica group of the Agricultural Training
as quick helpdesk for eExtension
and seaweed is on its test run stage Institute (ATI). (VTPalarca)
Program for A&F. This will later
wherein for two months the course evolve into Farmer’s Contact Center
will be offered and it will be evaluated where voice and text messaging
by its enrollees.(BCNatividad) shall be accommodated.
www.e-extension.gov.ph
