e-extension agenda 9th issue

e-Extension Agenda March 2011 1

Vol. IV No. 1 March 2011

DA’s Usec Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (3rd from right) and Dr. Achim Dobermann (3rd from left) unveiled the NMRiceMobile numbers, assisted by Mr. Mon Isberto, VP for Public Relations, PLDT-SMART, Ms. Karen Eloisa Barroga of PhilRice, ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot and Mr. Jose Luis Reyes of Globe Telecoms

Make its Global DebutDA, IRRI Launch NMRiceMobile

QUEZON CITY, Philippines -- The Nutrient Manager for Rice Mobile or NMRiceMobile

which was launched in line with the celebration on the 24th Anniversary of the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) will be the first of its kind in the world. NMRiceMobile is an easy to use mobile application that will greatly benefit the Filipino farmers through increased rice production and higher profits.

NMRiceMobile carry out the principle of site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) for rice that was developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) together with Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in mid 1990s. The NMRiceMobile will be supported by an online decision-making tool called Nutrient Manager for Rice which is aptly designed for rice growing

countries like the Philippines. This will help the farmers and extension workers quickly determine the best fertilizer management practice for a specific field or rice growing area.

By just dialing 2378 for Globe

subscribers and *2378 for Smart subscribers, an Interactive Voice Response will accumulate information from the caller and then the software processes the information acquired

e-Extension Does FourPlay: Program Assessment and Planning Workshop Held

Quezon City, Philippines -- It’s been said -- success is a process, wherein to be able

to achieve your desired objective or goal one has to take it step by step. The e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries did not achieve the proverbial overnight success as setbacks and challenges served as speed bumps. But along the way, these speed bumps became the source for experience and knowledge which have been used to further improve the Program’s

implementation.Three years removed from

the launching of the e-Learning component of the Program and a year from the launching of Farmers’ Contact Center, these components of the e-Extension Program are specifically designed to respond to the demands of its clientele. These efforts have not gone unnoticed as local and international pundits have already recognized the Program.

As the e-Extension Program

►page 3

►page 2 e-Extension Coordinators discuss their respective WFPs as part of their outputs during the assessment


NEWS

AURORA, Philippines ― Alleviating lives of rural communities in the province

of Aurora through the use of information and communications technology (ICT) is the foremost goal for the establishment of the Aurora e-Village Project last 2009. Thus, the successful implementation of its Phase-1 in the central towns – Baler, San Luis, Maria Aurora and Dipacualo – has proven that the project’s objectives are perfectly attainable.

As such, the project is now all set to expand its coverage and extend

Aurora e-Village Rolls Out its Phase-2 Project Implementation

its services to the northern and southern towns of the province such as Dilasag, Casiguran and Dinalungan. The second phase took-off with an information-dissemination campaign to create awareness and steer interest in the communities by means of an ICT Road Show in the said towns last March 1 to 3, 2011, respectively.

The road show meant to impart a comprehensive overview about the objectives and services of the e-Village Project to the locals. Furthermore, the e-Village services of

the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) like the e-Village website and the Aurora e-Village Text Center as well as the e-Learning for Agriculture and Fisheries and Farmers’ Contact Center, among others were featured during the activity.

In concurrence with the ICT Road Show, the Provincial

Government of Aurora (PGA) formally opened the e-Village Marketing Center of the Rice Processing Complex (RPC) in Baler last February 28, 2011. This marketing center is among the services of the project managed by the Provincial Government of Aurora alongside the e-village Text Center.

The Aurora e-Village Project is a joint endeavour of the Department of Agriculture (DA) - through ATI and PhilRice, the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the PGA in cooperation with the Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT). (YCRAgsawa)

continues its process towards its goals, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), as the lead implementing agency, conducted its fourth assessment and planning workshop. Taking a look back in the past year of implementing the e-Extension Program is an important part of the process as new things can be learned as well as strategies that would be beneficial for the Program.

Dubbed as the “e-Extension FourPlay in 2011: Assessment and Planning Workshop,” the activity gathered together the technical staff of the ATI Network of Training Centers designated as the e-Extension Coordinators and School on the Air Coordinators.

“FourPlay emphasizes the synergism between the four elements of e-Extension which are the clients, coordinators/developers, the

management and the system. These four elements should have coordinated actions to achieve the objective or a goal,” e-Learning Process Adviser Jose Rey Y. Alo explained.

Main points discussed were updates on the e-Learning and e-Farming components as well as ATIiNteractive as the ATI’s official

website, the newly launched Nutrient Manager for Rice Mobile (or NMRiceMobile) and Information Systems developed and maintained by the Institute. The coordinators also reported on their accomplishment during the past year.

The participants of the eExtension Program Assessment and Planning Workshop included the e-Extension Coordinators and SOA Coordinators from ATI Network of Training Centers

e-Extension Does FourPlay....From page 1

►page 8

Participants register before the start of the ICT roadshow. They were also given free IEC Materials.

The motorcade during the ICT roadshow


NEWS

and develops the text message that will be sent back to the caller.

In his message during the launch, ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot ardently supported the project and believed that the NMRiceMobile will be a step toward the goal of the Philippines to become a rice-sufficient country.

“This is one of the endeavors where we can help our farmers in trying to improve their technologies in growing rice. We welcome this development at ATI because this is part of our efforts in bringing technologies down to the farmers and fishers,” Director Saliot said.

The launch was attended by Dr. Achim Dobermann, IRRI’s Deputy Director-General for Research and was part of the research team that studied SSNM during its early stages in 1992. Dr. Dobermann emphasized the importance of having the right kind of fertilizer for rice “at the right time and in the right way.”

“The crops that we grow for our own food consumption and for feeding

requires a lot of nutrients, some of them come from nature and some of them have to come from fertilizers. But here with NMRiceMobile, we have a new way in doing it much better. The idea is to apply the right amount at the right time in the right way,” Dr. Dobermann noted in his message during the launch.

Dr. Dobermann also saw the potential of NMRiceMobile to reach the majority of farmers and benefit from the feature of the project. “It’s a

true milestone in our effort to provide better services for the benefit of our farmers. We’ve all learned how to reach thousands of farmers but it’s always been a challenge to scale it up,” Dr. Dobermann added.

While Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in his message as read by Usec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, highlighted one of the major problems persisting the agricultural sector that NMRiceMobile could solve – which is the transfer of knowledge to

the farmers. “The country boasts some of the

world’s best rice scientists and most industrious farmers, aside from being home to IRRI. But observations persist that we are slow in translating results from research stations into practical technologies that could increase production in a sustainable way. The speed of dissemination itself is another concern,” Alcala noted.

Alcala also stressed the prospective of reaching the farmers

through their mobile phones. “In a country where mobile

phone access stood at a staggering 93%, the

NMRiceMobile presents an immense potential to enhance, if

not revolutionize, the way we deliver technical support and education to our clientele.”

With almost two million rice farmers in the Philippines expected to avail the advantages of the NMRiceMobile, it is a positive move to the goal of being a rice sufficient and food secured country.

The launching of NMRiceMobile was held last January 24, 2011 at the Serrano Hall, DA-ATI Bldg. Diliman, Quezon City. (BCNatividad)

Representatives of the different agencies and companies behind the NMRiceMobile during the launch of NMRiceMobile. Usec Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Dr. Achim Dobermann of IRRI is joined by Mr. Mon Isberto of PLDT-SMART, Mr. Jose Luis Reyes of Globe Telecoms Ms. Karen Eloisa Barroga of PhilRice and ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot.

DA, IRRI Launch NMRiceMobile....From page 1


AT THE REGIONS AT THE REGIONSSchool on Air graduation in Camarines

Norte held

DAET, Camarines Norte -- The ATI worked closely with the local government units (LGUs)

of Camarines Norte for the School on Air (SOA) on the PalayCheck Rice Production Technology. Dubbed as ATIng Kaugnay SOA, it spanned six municipalities and one cropping season.

After five months of weekly radio broadcasts, the SOA concluded with a graduation ceremony held last March 31, 2011 at the Little Theater, Provincial Capitol Building, Daet, Camarines Norte.

Enrollees who passed the weekly quizzes since November 2010 and the final examination all came together for their graduation to receive their well-earned certificates of completion. They were from the municipalities of Basud, Daet, Talisay, Vinzons, Labo, and Paracale.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist as well as the LGUs of these municipalities co-managed and coordinated the activity in their respective areas. The SOA was aired at 10 to 11 every Friday mornings through three commercial radio stations, the DZMD AM 1161 Khz and Radyo ng Bayan in Daet,

as well as DWLB 89.7 FM in Labo.The SOA emphasized the importance

of increasing farmers’ yield and income, bringing to listeners the latest package of technology on the PalayCheck system of rice production. It discussed simple step-by-step application of the technology through per-module presentation of topics to help farmers realize its income potential.

The weekly lecture-discussions were anchored by Cirlo Nuyles and Engr. Joey Belarmino of ATI-RTC5. The SOA was fully interactive, being open to phone-in questions and text messages from the listeners.

Before the SOA enrollees’ final examination, a mobile forum across the six municipalities furthered the farmer-enrollees’ participation, allowing them to voice their questions. Likewise, resource speakers discussed finer details of their topics using visual aids. The forum bridged the gap in technology transfer through face-to-face interaction.

The SOA culminated with the awarding of prizes as well as

certificates to graduates and the Subject Matter Specialists from the Department of Agriculture and the LGUs who served as resource persons.

Topics included the PalayCheck key checks, integrated pest management, and integrated nutrient management.

Mass media plays a key role in knowledge sharing. Particularly, radio proves to be an effective and fast means of spreading information to a wide scope of audience in the countryside.

The Department of Agriculture recognizes SOA’s importance as an e-Extension component.(PBImperial, ATI-RTC 5)

Lobo, Batangas - Thirty one (31) students from the Batangas State University (BSU) Lobo Campus

received their e-Learning Certificates on March 15, 2011 together with two (2) Faculty and Staff namely Mars Panganiban and Rowena Odoño. The students are taking up Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and BS Forestry.

Some of them took up more than one course and one student, Mellanie Joy Magtibay even took up six courses. She was very thankful to ATI because she was able to spend her spare time during the night (after working on her assignments) to learn topics related to agriculture and fisheries rather than spending so much time to computer games and “Facebook”.

The Dean and Assistant Director of the University, Mr. Anacleto

Caringal promised to support the e-Extension Program of ATI. He requested for hands-on activities to reinforce the learnings derived by the students from the e-Learning courses. Mr. Cesar Vida, Center Director of ATI-Region IVA together with the

two ELO Coordinators, Rolando Maningas and Mariel Dayanghirang spearheaded the awarding of the certificates. They also launched the new on-line course developed by ATI-Region IVA on Vanda Production. (RManingas, ATI-RTC 4A)

ICT Literacy Training in Region

7 reaps positive result

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol -- A total of 30 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) composed of Agricultural Technicians and Municipal Agriculture Officers from the selected municipalities of Bohol Province have successfully graduated in the ICT Training and Computer-based Data Management conducted on February 22 to 24, 2011 at ATI-RTC 7 Training Complex and Bohol Online, Tagbilaran City.

Ably facilitated by the Agricultural Knowledge Management Section team and well-supported by NMRice trained staff, the course aimed at enhancing capabilities and orientation in accessing and using web-technology to improve the delivery of agricultural extension services to the people from all walks of life.

Some important topics given much emphasis were Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OPAPA), E-extension, Farmers Contact Center, NMRice and AEWs data base. (EFLucero, ATI-RTC 7)BSU Embraces Change

TOT participants in Region 8 Briefed on e-Extension

T he series of training of trainers (TOT) on AgriPinoy framework became a venue for

the e-Extension coordinators (eEC) to promote the e-Extension program of the Department of Agriculture, which is being implemented by the Agricultural Training Institute.

Not all training activities in the center would mean opportunity to discuss the program. But with the time slot given to eEC Hazel Grace T. Taganas to discuss one module in the training, came the opportunity for fellow eEC Dennis Boyd R. Baltazar

to present the e-Extension program components and services particulary the e-Learning, Farmers’ Contact Center and the NMRice Mobile. The participants learned to access the on-line services and were encouraged to get information from the net.

Mr. Baltazar also shared updates on the institutionalization of the Techno Gabay Program to ATI starting this year. In Region VIII, the implementation of the program is already coordinated by ATI since year 2000.

A total of 118 participants in the three batches of the TOT were briefed on the e-Extension program. This year, the coordinators hoped to conduct more briefings to reach more clients for them to broaden their access to agricultural information (DBBaltazar, ATI-

RTC 8)

Around 80 agricultural students from the Bauan National Agricultural and Vocational

High School (BNAVHS) attended the e-Learning briefing conducted by the Institute last March 17, 2011. The activity aims to encourage these

students to be more interested on agriculture and eventually pursue agri-related courses in college.

This project is made possible thru the coordination of BNAVHS Agriculture teacher, Mr. Rodrigo Bautista who happens to be the

DepEd representative during the AgriPinoy Training of Trainers (TOT) for Batangas province last February. ELO coordinator Rolando Maningas of ATI-Region IVA conducted the briefing. (RManingas, ATI-RTC 4A)

Agriculture Students briefed on e-Learning for A&F

The 292 graduates of the ATIng Kaugnay SOA on the PalayCheck Rice Production Technology in Camarines Norte. e-Extension Coordinator Dennis Boyd Baltazar briefs the TOT participants on

e-Extension Program specifically its components the e-Learning, Farmers’ Contact Center and NMRiceMobile.


NEWSATI, PCARRD Conduct Joint Consultative Meeting on Techno-Gabay Institutionalization

MANILA, Philippines -- With Executive Order 801 or the Institutionalization of

the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) to the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute

(DA-ATI) from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST- PCARRD) now fully in effect, managers at the

national level deemed it necessary to conduct a consultation meeting with its counterpart at the regions to communicate the plans for institutionalization.

The TGP is the PCARRD’s banner program to bring science-based information and technology services closer to end-users in agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR) sectors. But with its nature as a mature extension modality, the

management of PCARRD decided that it is time to institutionalize the program to an appropriate extension agency on agriculture.

The consultation meeting was participated by ATI Regional Center Directors as well as the Regional Consortia Directors. The main objective of the consultation meeting was to brief the participants on the status of TGP and its institutionalization to ATI. DA-ATI also took the opportunity to brief the consortia directors on the parallel extension activities of DA-ATI in relation to the TGP. Part of the meeting was also to discuss the emerging issues and come up with agreements and resolutions on the institutionalization.

The Joint DA-ATI and DOST-PCARRD Meeting was held last February 24, 2011 in Bayview Park Hotel, Manila.(BCNatividad)

Faster Web-based Profiling and Monitoring System Now Accessible for the 4-H Clubs

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – As the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) strengthen its Management

Information System (MIS) through automation and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the Institute developed a web-based profiling and monitoring system for the 4-H Clubs. The 4-H Club is a rural based organization for the youth in the agriculture and fisheries sector.The 4-H Web-based Profiling and Monitoring System will serve as a database containing basic information on the members of the 4-H club and its various activities and projects. The system will also be a monitoring tool for the 4-H Coordinators in the national and regional level.

With this new system, a training on the use of this web-based profiling and monitoring system was conducted for the Regional 4-H Coordinators, ATI Regional RBO Focal Persons and the Regional 4-H Presidents and some

officers of the 4-H Clubs for Luzon.The participants were briefed on

the features of the 4-H website and were able to register and update their profiles in the site. Likewise, they were also oriented on the e-Extension Program and were able to register in the e-Learning site and enrolled in the various e-Learning courses offered.

Director Asterio P. Saliot during the closing program emphasized and encouraged the participants to regularly update their profiles as well as the content of their site to exchange and share information and best practices.

To date, the Institute has already developed its Personnel Management Information System, the database for Agricultural Extension Workers and the Project Monitoring and Evaluation System

which are in line with strengthening the MIS of the Institute.

Members of the 4-H Club can access the Web-based Profiling and Monitoring Website at www.ati.da.gov.ph/4-hclub.

The training was held last March 14-18 at the Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. The second bacth of the training for Visayas and MIndanao will be held in May 2011. (BCNatividad)

The joint consultative meeting was attended by ATI Center Directors together with the PCARRD Consortium Directors.


NEWSe-Learning Course “Growing Vanda

and Vandaceous Orchids”, now accepting enrollees!

Corsages, center pieces, flowering pot plants and garden highlights – these are among the things

Vanda Orchids are known for. But don’t you know that aside from their aesthetic value, these flowers are also known for their promising market potential?

Get to know about this and more when you enroll in e-Learning’s “Growing Vanda and

Vandaceous Orchids”! The first online course on orchids,

Orchid1 is composed of 6 modules that tackle the general characteristics and types, cultural management, propagation methods, common

pest and diseases management, harvesting and postharvest handling technologies as well as the business prospects of Vandaceous orchids.

This course is brought to us by ATI RTC-4A. (YCRAgsawa)

What are our e-Learners say

“Bringing e-learning to NIPSC Batad Campus is an opportunity and big help to our B.S.Agriculture students.Thank you so much, ATI!”- Eva Montero

“Hi.Done with the BASIC AGRICULTURAL MARKETING EXTENSION.nag enjoy po ako.dami ko po natutunan.thank you so much”-Irish Felipe

“Thank you so much. The course on AgriMark has added a lot of knowledge that I can also share to lighten the burden of marketing issues in the agri sector. Again thank you.”-Amalia Cadorna Vestal

“I am now very thankful being within the world of agriculture even if I hated this things before. For the time being, I’ve always been looking for some ways to add-up and in-depth my knowledge in the field of agriculture, and e-learning is an option of making this. I really appreciate this program because it can give know how for those individuals who loved agriculture and also it gives a wide array of knowledge for those techician in the field, for them to share to the farmers out there.”-Paulino R. Molit

“Thank you for the help extended... Mabuhay ang e-Extension!!!! ”-Victor Serafica

“Now I’m arleady done with my coures ‘seed to seed online course on corn production’ I’ve gain a lot of knowledge from it.”-Wilver Cabalbag

SnapshotsBriefings and trainings

Agriculture Students from Pangasinan State University (PSU) visited the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) for a briefing on the Institute’s programs and services, specifically on the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries. The visit aimed to expose the students on the activities in techno-packaging and the various media used in agricultural extension communication. The briefing was held at the ATI’s Agriculture and Fisheries Knowledge Center in Diliman, Quezon City last February 9, 2011.

The participants of the International Training Course (ITC) on Value Chain in Agricultural Products visited the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and were briefed on the e-Extension Program. The 20 participants of the training course comes from various ASEAN member countries like Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and the Philippines. The training course aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the participants on agri-supply and value chain in agricultural products. The briefing was held at the Computer Laboratory of the Agriculture and Fisheries Knowledge Center, ATI-Central Office last February 10, 2011.

From our shoutbox messages and emails @www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning


NEWS

Editor Pamela MG Mappala

Writers Yovina-Claire R. Agsawa Benedict C. Natividad Contributors Rolando Maningas (ATI-RTC 4a) Primalou Imperial, (ATI-RTC 5) Erma Lucero, (ATI-RTC 7) Dennis Boyd Baltazar (ATI-RTC 8)

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 Number 1

March 2011

Furthermore, with the impending Institutionalization of the Techno Gabay Program to ATI, the coordinators reviewed the existing plans and strategies that will be incorporated in their work and financial plans for the new functions that will be given to them.

ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot emphasized the importance of the Assessment and Planning Workshop to the Program and reiterated that endeavors such as this will only make the Program better. “We want make it a very strong program that would convey information to people at the grassroots particularly the farmers and the fisherfolk. And this is also a vehicle we can make so that the ordinary people, the citizens of this country will feel that the government is trying to reach them,” Saliot said.

Saliot also noted that the coordinators should also gain from this activity and “hope that after the assessment, everybody will be satisfied, inspired, committed and persevering. And above all everybody will remain steadfast because challenges can come and go.”

The e-Extension Assessment and Planning Workshop was held last January 31 to February 5, 2011 at the Segundo R. Serrano Hall, ATI-Central Office.(BCNatividad)

e-Extension Does FourPlay....From page 2

A Short Story of a Client-turned-Graduate

In a land near the Agricultural Training Institute’s Central Office (ATI-CO) in Quezon City, a

young professional named Aaron Jed Tumbali lives. Aaron Jed is a Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) instructor at St. John of Beverly, Quezon City. As a person whose duty is to impart knowledge to others – his students, in particular – he constantly searches for other materials that would enrich his awareness and expertise in his field.

Once upon a sunny day, Aaron Jed dropped by ATI-CO to purchase a technology-based video material. During his visit, he was oriented

about the Department of Agriculture’s e-Extension Program specifically on the e-Learning Component. The program stirred his interest and shortly after discovering what e-Learning is about, he created a user account, enrolled and completed some of the online courses, one after the other.

And just recently, he returned to ATI-CO, this time to receive his Certificates of Completion as well as personally meet-and-greet some of the e-Learning Support Team.

Up to now, Aaron Jed regularly visits the site and looks out for online courses and materials that he could use for his classes.(YCRAgsawa)

e-extension agenda 9th issue

Business

evillage website

newsaurora evillage

setthe evillage project

eextension program areachieve

evillage services ofof

evillage marketing centerto

assessment eextension

international rice