Research-Extension Continuum in The Philippines
Research-Extension Continuum in The Philippines
Research-Extension Continuum in The Philippines
Proper balance in these functions will create a balanced human capital equipped with
knowledge and skills and values to be productive individuals [CITATION Man \l 1033 ]. Integrating
research, extension, and education is in order to have a common language for planning,
discussion, implementation, and demonstration of the performance and accountability of a
program [CITATION Rad12 \l 1033 \m Gar].
Research directions are geared towards the institutions’ themes and priority areas such
as education and literacy; environmental protection and conservation; food security and poverty
alleviation; health and proper nutrition; engineering and technology; preservation of arts, culture,
language and literature; promotion of peace, gender equality and development; and
halal[ CITATION Uni20 \l 1033 ].
The institutions are inclined to the development of products, technologies, innovations
and discoveries of new ideas and information. This is facilitated through research engagements
of faculty, full-time researchers and undergraduate/graduate students. The activity is geared
towards providing products and services to the end-consumers and other stakeholders of the
university from various fields[ CITATION Uni20 \l 1033 ].
The term linkage as used in this study encompasses a broad range of collaborations and
exchange of useful information among all actors of the technology generation, dissemination
and utilization system. Linkage is a term used to indicate that two systems are connected by
messages so as to form a greater system. If the barriers between two systems are permeable
enough for messages and responses to flow out of each to the other, then a link has been
created between the two[ CITATION Kas17 \l 1033 ].
Agriculture research and extension are examples of two systems that can be linked by
information flow and feedback. The farmer falls in between research and extension and is
expected to be the main target and beneficiary of their activities. The research-extension-farmer
relationship should be viewed as an interdependent and inter-related continuum. More
precisely, interdependence among the researchers, extension workers, and farmers prevents
isolation, which impedes technology transfer. Close bonding among the three key players also
promotes development of relevant technologies that provide directly measurable results or
perceived benefits to the target population and adapted to local conditions [ CITATION Mun02 \l
1033 \m Kas17].
Research and extension (R&E) are vital ingredients in promoting robust agricultural
growth and development. It is through R&E that innovations are generated and their results
disseminated to farmers and fisherfolk[ CITATION Adr20 \l 1033 ].
Strategic investments in R&D and extension services in the Philippines can play a critical
role in addressing numerous challenges along the pathway from agricultural production to
consumption and utilization[ CITATION Wes14 \l 1033 ]. Now, agricultural technological
innovations are generated foremost by educational research institutions, like state universities
and colleges (SUCs), or government-funded research institutions, including the Philippine Rice
Research Institute (PhilRice) and Philippine Carabao Center (PCC). As for extension, the
dissemination of those technological innovations and new knowledge in agriculture has become
the main function of local government units (LGUs)[ CITATION Adr20 \l 1033 ].
The current global challenges of ensuring the availability of and access to food, in both
quantity and quality, require deliberate and far-reaching solutions. Historically, research for
development in agriculture and extension services has been a strong driving force for meeting
food supply around the world[ CITATION Adr20 \l 1033 ].
Furthermore, a lot of agricultural extension services are carried out by public tertiary
schools varying from the non-technical to technical knowledge. However, the matter on
appropriacy and relevance of the extension service program to the genuine needs of the small
farmers are concerns that should not be taken for granted by extension service administrators.
The primary mission of the extension program of an agricultural college is to improve the quality
of life of the rural families, by helping them acquire new knowledge and skills along lines of their
current interests and needs. Such are closely related to increasing farm income and improving
their standard of living.[ CITATION Nie16 \l 1033 ].
According to Medina (2019), the State Universities and Colleges in the Philippines are all
community engaged by accomplishing its mandates and functions. Generally, these are
instruction, research, extension, production, and internationalization.
Research Engagement
Aside from the academics, SUCs are likewise engaged to conduct research. Not just
research but published research on high-impact journals so that aside from academic
accomplishments based on its engagements, it is one of the areas credited in SUC Leveling.
SUCs create their respective research thrusts and priorities and it is based on the availability
of their resources and intellectual research capacity. In Batangas State University, it shall
pursue thrusts and priorities which may be subjected to review at least annually by each
area. These expected research areas are architecture, engineering and technology,
agriculture and natural science, environment and biodiversity, entrepreneurial and business,
and education, mathematics, and social sciences. These areas are also the major programs
offered by the university, making it parallel to its research capacity and making the research
program of the university responsive to the emerging needs and environmental changes and
development. The research thrusts and priorities generally of SUCs are patterned on the
national, regional, and provincial agenda of the government, identified through agenda
setting and road mapping by research personnel, deans, faculty researchers, students, and
external stakeholders. More specifically, the research thrusts and engagements of the
university are food, energy, environment, health and medical sciences, material science,
manufacturing, process, and engineering, information and communications technology,
science and mathematics, and education and social sciences.
Extension Engagement
Henceforth, these two concepts operate opposite to each other. Responding to these
engagements is very essential in that SUCs are obligated to fulfill its functions, yet it is also
important to promote the universally-accepted definition of community development through
meaningful extension projects. Determining the influence of the movement between these two
paradigms would determine the project’s performance, i.e. either promoting self-sufficiency or
dependency [ CITATION Ont16 \l 1033 ].
Major Institutions Providing Extension/Advisory Services
According to the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) (2020), the
following are the major institutions providing extension/advisory services in the Philippines.
A. Public Institutions
Department of Agriculture
The ATI was established in 1987. It started with 10 training centers, but by 1989
it had a total of 41 training centers located in various parts of the country. The centers
included seven Farmers’ Training Centers, nine Regional Fishermen’s Training Centers,
and the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry. In 1998, the Regional
Fishermen’s Training Centers were turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources. Also, the Farmers’ Training Centers were renamed as Provincial Training
Centers. At present, the ATI has 16 Regional Training Centers at various locations in
addition to the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry.
As the extension and training arm of the Department of Agriculture, the ATI
performs its mandate as an apex agency for a unified and efficient agriculture and
fisheries extension services. The vision of the ATI is leadership excellence in agricultural
technology and knowledge management for a more proactive and responsive extension
service.
The ATI’s mission is to coordinate diversified agricultural extension delivery
systems for the local government sector and other stakeholders to facilitate the flow of
information on technology and other services such as fund management, network
establishment and systems for standardization and certification of extension providers
that can empower the farmers and fisherfolk to become more globally competitive
The goals that guide the ATI in performing its duties are as follows:
The ATI is headed by a director and assisted by two Deputy Directors. The
institution’s technical divisions are Extension Program & Partnerships Division,
Extension Innovations & Training Division, and Knowledge Products & Services Division.
The Department of Agriculture has several programs for which ATI coordinates
with the concerned implementing department or bureau or agency and relevant LGUs
which are responsible for delivering extension services to the farmers. Two examples of
such programs are:
2. The Organic Fertilizer Production Project operated by the Bureau of Soils and
Water Management (BSWM)
The ATI does not directly deliver extension services to the farmers but assists the
LGUs in carrying out this function in line with its goals mentioned above.
Other bureaus and agencies of the Department of Agriculture
The ATI, which itself is one of the bureaus, collaborates with several bureaus and
agencies of the Department of Agriculture that need extension support for their individual
programs. Some of these bodies have significant extension mandates. Besides ATI, the
names of other bureaus are as follows:
The ATI also collaborates with several autonomous agencies attached to the
Department of Agriculture, which have their own programs and need extension support.
The names of those agencies are as follows:
“Extension and on-site research services and facilities related to agriculture and
fishery activities which include dispersal of livestock and poultry, fingerlings, and other
seeding materials for aquaculture; palay (rough rice), corn, and vegetable seed farms’
medicinal plant gardens; fruit tree, coconut, and other kinds of seedling nurseries;
demonstration farms; quality control of copra and improvement and development of local
distribution channels, preferably through cooperatives; inter-barangay irrigation system;
water and soil resource utilization and conservation projects; and enforcement of fishery
laws in municipal waters including the conservation of mangroves”.
Furthermore, Section 25.b of the Article One states that national agencies and
offices with project implementation functions shall coordinate with LGUs concerned in the
discharge of these functions. These LGUs are to be involved both in the planning and
implementation of national projects.
According to the World Bank, in 2010, the number of mobile cellular subscriptions
(per 100 people) in the Philippines was 85.66. During the same year, the number of Internet
users (per 100 people) in the country was 25. The Republic Act 8435, called the Agriculture
and Fisheries Modernization Act (1997) mandated the optimal use of ICT in bridging the gap
between research, extension, farmers and the marketing. Although the issue of the creation
of a separate ICT department or ministry has been dragged on for years and still remains
unresolved, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is presently the premiere
science and technology body in the country charged with the twin mandate of providing
central direction, leadership and coordination of all scientific and technological activities, and
of formulating policies, programs and projects to support the national development.
One of the councils of the Department of Science and Technology is the Philippine
Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development
(PCAARRD). The PCAARRD formulates policies, plans and programs for science and
technology based research and development (R&D) activities in agriculture, aquatic and
natural resources sectors. It also allocates public and external funds for R&D as well as
generates resources to support its program. The PCAARRD is well linked to national,
regional and international institutions. It was designated as the focal ICT training center for
the Los Banos-based DOST community.The Philippines seems to have more ICT supported
programs for extension than any other developing country, thanks due to government’s
strong commitment and sustained support. Apparently, no comprehensive evaluation and
impact assessment study for the ICT initiatives has yet been undertaken. Major ICT based
programs are as follows:
E-Learning - offers three kinds of courses: online, offline (for areas without
connectivity) or blended (enhanced through face-to-face interaction or field
activities).
E-Farming - delivers farm and business advisory services on agriculture and fishery
technologies and technical assistance to rural based organizations. A private
company Optiserve Technologies Inc. collaborates in this activity (e.g. the Onion
Production Resource Management System Project).
A FITS center is a telecenter, one-stop facility, where farmers can access the ICT
based information and services in support of farming and marketing. The center offers
not only pertinent information but also organizes necessary training for its clientele. A
typical FITS center has seven databases namely: technology; experts’ profiles; farmers’
profiles; contact firms; trade and production statistics; publications; and technology video
material. Financial sustainability of FITS centers is assured by the fact that each center
is sponsored and/or hosted by an LGU, NGO or some other public, civil society or
private institution. In March 2009, the Philippines had 500 FITS centers. The centers
also involve “Farmer Scientists”.
Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OPAPA) (also called as Pinoy Farmers’
Internet)
The Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OPAPA) is a network of
institutions that provides education, training, extension, and communication in
agriculture, making information more accessible to those who need it. OPAPA aims at
empowering the agriculture sector and agricultural extension system through ICTs. As
such, it establishes a virtual network that provides information-on-demand, develops
content based on farmers’ needs, and provides access through networks and the
Internet. The OPAPA program develops ICT modalities to facilitate interaction among
experts, farmers and extension workers despite the barriers imposed by physical
distance. The Philippines Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is currently the lead
implementing agency of OPAPA.
Use ICT to provide online, web-based services to extension workers and farmers
such as advisory, online training, distance learning, e-library, and knowledge
databases in agriculture;
Organize expertise and digitize all available information, data, and knowledge in
agriculture to make them accessible to farmers through the Open Academy; and
The mobile Internet Bus is equipped with laptops with the Internet, DVDs, LCDs
and public address equipment. The bus can be driven to rural areas to provide digital
information and material to the farmers. The staff riding the bus can also hold
discussions with the farmers.
Farmers use their cellular phones for sending text messages to the subject-
matter specialists based at the Philippines Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). The
contact number is 700-7423 (PA-LAY). According to a three-level response mechanism
installed, all text messages first pass through Level I for classification by a text center
staff. At this level, a response to the farmer’s query is sent within 24 hours. If the query is
of more technical nature, it is classified as Level II, and passed on to a specialist who
personally replies through a text message, e-mail, or phone call. If the query is of a type
which cannot be satisfactorily answered online then it is raised to Level III, meaning
either a field visit will be scheduled by a specialist or the query will be referred to an
appropriate institution. Apparently, even in areas without telephone lines and Internet
connection, the farmers can still be connected using Wi-Fi services. Farmers’
cooperatives are using this service to obtain real-time marketing information.
This program makes use of radio, Internet and text messaging on rice
technologies. The Pampanga Agricultural College, one of the pilot sites of OPAPA has
adopted the SOA modality.
Mango
Swine
Poultry
Horticulture
Agro-forestry
Bamboo
Agricultural machinery (AgMachIN)
B. Non-Public Institutions
Private sector
Private universities
There are several private universities in the Philippines that offer programs and
courses in agricultural disciplines. Some of them are as follows:
Non-governmental organizations
There are a large number of local NGOs in the Philippines involved in a variety of
development activities like rural community development covering agricultural aspects
including extension. The Bohol Integrated Development Foundation, Inc. has prepared,
in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Assistance (JICA), the
Directory of Philippine NGOs and Development Organizations.
Examples of a few NGOs with particular relevance for extension are as follows:
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