Rationale

1. Extension service as an indispensable component in agricultural development.
2. Agricultural extension equips producers with the technology and support services.
3. The current extension system is inadequate to carry out agricultural development.
4. This scheme was developed in response to current needs and tested in the UDP areas and is also available in the lowlands.

Issues and Concerns

1. Inefficient extension services especially in the upland barangays resulting to poor cropping/ livestock systems, soil degradation and poverty.
2. At present, extension organizations are relatively weak to carry out any promotions of technologies.
3. Less priority to agricultural extension vis-?-vis other concerns.
4. There is an inadequate understanding on the provisions of RA 7160 pertinent to extension for agriculture and environmental development.
5. Minimal involvement of local organizations in the extension network.

Objectives

1. To strengthen the extension delivery scheme through involvement of various key players in the network, among them the agricultural technician, barangay officials, the Barangay Extension Workers (BEWs), Upland Barangay Associations (UBAs), Farmers Training Groups (FTGs), Diversified Farming System (DFS) model farmers, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and the Regional Research and Development Extension Network (RRDEN).
2. To strengthen the extension organization with defined accountability system and periodic evaluation on the physical outcomes of extension.
3. To promote introduction of relevant extension messages through group participation in planning and carrying-out of extension messages.

Benefits

1. High production and income for farmers and more revenues to the local government units.
2. Minimized land degradation and environmental destruction by promoting environmental awareness through extension messages.
3. Extension network promotes civic mindedness and self-help among extension workers.

General Mechanisms

1. Creation of a community-based agricultural extension network to be composed of the following: Agricultural Technicians (ATs), officers of the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU), the BEW, local organizations like UBA, the FTG, DFS model farmers, NGOs.
2. Redefinition of various roles and accountability in the extension organization and in the network.
3. Improved skills of technicians and other network members in the delivery of extension messages from crop/ livestock production, record-keeping, marketing, soil erosion, soil conservation, forest management, and routine barangay road maintenance.
4. Encourage bigger budgets for agricultural developments supported by the strong extension delivery system.