CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Ensuring competence for a competitive and sustainable agriculture, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, staged the 2nd Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW) Regional Congress 2024, recently, here.
Anchored on the theme: “Enhancing the Capabilities of Agriculturists through Technological Innovation, Addressing Climate Change and Sustainable Development,” the confab mustered over 400 attendees, majority of whom are AEWs from the different local government units and members of the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA) in Northern Mindanao regionwide, and some from other regions.
According to DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and PAA Region 10 President Carlota S. Madriaga, the activity provides an avenue for knowledge and information sharing to drive agri-fishery development using technology amid challenges on climate change and sustainability of development efforts.
“This event particularly aims to enhance the technical capabilities of our agriculturists to be effective and efficient in the delivery of agricultural services to our farmers and other relevant stakeholders,” she said.
Likewise, the Congress is a platform to keep agriculture professionals abreast with the agenda for the advancement of the sector, particularly in lobbying the Philippine Agriculturist Bill and the Magna Carta for AEWs.
To provide better services to our clienteles, ranging from farmers, producers, students, and consumers, among others, PAA National Chapter president, Dr. Karen S. Bautista calls for the continuous improvement among Filipino professionals, especially in agriculture, and align them with advancements in their respective fields.
“At this conference, we aim to create opportunities for networking and collaboration to develop innovative activities that will benefit our farmers and the Filipino society,” she conveyed.
For his part, Dir. Pacamalan pointed out the significant demand for precise information, emphasizing reports that are being generated and cascaded at the municipal, provincial, and the national government levels.
“Through digitalization of agriculture information, it will provide us real-time information that will serve as the basis for monitoring results of our program, making plans and projection, investment, and decision-making, and responding to the marketing needs of our farmers. I hope this is something that will impact on improving our agriculture services to our farmers as we transform from manual to digital reporting,” he said.
Digitalization is one of DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.’s key priorities as “accurate and real-time data will enable stakeholders to make smarter, data-driven decisions and efficiently manage emergencies and day-to-day operations.”
PAA, Inc. is an organization of professionals representing different fields of specialization in agriculture in a bid to support initiatives to promote and develop the agri-fishery sector.
Also supporting the activity are PAA National Officer Membership and Accreditation Committee Chairman Ramon A. Oliveros, PAA Chapter 10 Vice-President Dr. Alexander M. Morados, Jr., and Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte Mayor Rommel C. Arnado. # (RDME)
