DAVAO ORIENTAL, April 30, 2021 – Area coordinators of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) in Region 11 received training on extension delivery services to strengthen their fundamental skills in delivering interventions to beneficiaries.

The three-day event observed minimum health standards with less than 20 people, including speakers and participants on April 29-30, 2021.

As a result, SAAD 11’s implementation will be more tailored-fit to its beneficiaries, focusing on the farmer’s empowerment, instead of merely delivering interventions.

The training was done in direct response to an intensive year ahead, with the program having its biggest allocation yet in its four years of implementation at Php 43 million.

The region tapped the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region 11, Department of Agriculture’s training arm, to facilitate the event.

“This training will transform you—should you internalize it. This is for you…so that you can internalize your real value as an extensionist,” Ms. Olivia Gatus, Assistant Center Director for ATI Region 11, encouraged SAAD 11’s area coordinators.

“You will be equipped with additional and nuanced knowledge and skills in the field, as well as the proper attitude in dealing with your clients to make sure the program will succeed,” she added.

Seminars in the training included extension delivery approaches, extension interventions, effective communication, among other things. Delivered by Ms. Gatus, Ms. Ofelia Sanchez, and Ms. Lucille Camarines, the seminars followed a hands-on approach, which asked participants to discuss, present, and brainstorm ideas and information.

Importance

“Need jud nato ni sa atoang implementation sa program [We need this, especially on the program’s implementation],” Ms. Naomi Lamata, SAAD 11 Focal Person, said.

 She added that, “The other year nga nagkita mi ni Director Mula, ako jud ning gi-open nga dapat i-capacitate pa jud nato atoang mga area coordinators as to implementation on the ground. Kay bisan pa maayo na atoang mga ACs, mas masabtan nila ilahang role with this training. Nga ang extension delivery, dili lang panghatag ug interventions.”

(When I met with Director Mula the other year, I opened up about the need to further capacitate our area coordinators as to the program’s implementation on the ground. Although our ACs are excellent, it would make them internalize their role with this training. That extension service is not just delivering interventions.)

This year, SAAD Region 11 widened its area of coverage to 57 barangays in all 11 municipalities of Davao de Oro.  The majority of these barangays are Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) and End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) areas.

Application

“We may already have the experience in being an extensionist, as well as the competencies, but this training made us realize as a whole that we have lots of areas to improve,” Mr. Jake Colina, SAAD 11’s Provincial Area Coordinator, remarked.

“Rest assured that what we’ve learned here—we are going to bring to the ground. We’ll impart this to the farmers, especially,” Colina added.

Asked about how she will apply her learnings from the training, Ms. Anna Marie Malabarbas, Area Coordinator for Nabunturan and Maco, declared, “Ang atoang nasa hunahuna permente as an area coordinator, pag panghatag na lang. With this training, natun-an jud nako nga dili lang pag-facilitate ang atoang trabaho, it is to empower jud ang mga beneficiaries. So more meetings, constant communication, ug mas lalom nga pagsabot sa mga farmers.”

(As an area coordinator, what we always think about is the delivery and implementation. With this training, I learned that it’s not just about facilitation, it is to empower beneficiaries. That means more meetings, constant communication, and deeper understanding for the farmers.)

The event was held in Green Cuisine, a business venture by Genevieve Madelo, DA’s 2016 Gawad Saka Awardee in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental. ###

Writer: James Brian R. Flaga, SAAD RPMSO 11 Information Officer
Source: DA-SAAD Davao de Oro