On Extension, PH’s Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Is Good – How To Make Better!
The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) prides itself as “Home of E-Extension” as far as the Philippine government is concerned (upper image[1], ATI.gov.ph), which it is – except that you have a double limitation: number of courses offered, 18; ergo, number of experts engaged by ATI!
No, neither do you have unlimited subjects nor can you ask that the training be a perfect fit for you, your farm and location. Sorry. Farmers cannot be choosers! If like me you want to choose more than 1 crop or more than 1 location (lower image)? No can do.
As of now, ATI limits you to this list of 18 “e-Learning Technokits” posted by Marianne Antonioon 25 July 2019 at the institute’s website – not alphabetized, not numbered, not updated, not edited:
Cacao Techno Kit
Highland Vegetable Production Kit
Organic Fertilizer Production Kit
Durian Production Kit
Lowland Vegetable Production Kit
Cashew Production Kit
The Philippine Cattle Industry
Broiler Production
Bangus Techno Kit
Hog Finishing Production Information Kit
Meat Processing TechnoKit
Coffee Production Kit
Corn TechnoKit
Citrus Production Kit
Mango 1: Mango Processing Information Guide
Mango 2: A Guide to Mango Production
Total Quality and Productivity for Rice
Banana Production Guide.
As extension stands today, with ATI you have to rely only on the expert. The problem is: What you’re going to be told is what you’re going to be told – you have no choice! Your trainor knows everything and you hardly know anything.
Your favorite crop may already be in the list – but how will your training fit your location, soil, water supply, not to mention market? How will you deal with alternative techniques of growing, like chemical vs organic?
The ATI is not ready to deal with a farmer like you who must deal with local realities. The problem is not the expert but the fact that the ATI has no Knowledge Bank.
With a full-blown Knowledge Bank, the ATI could adapt an existing e-course for you, or even fashion a new one according to your needs.
Today, what the ATI expert knows is what s/he knows, that’s all.
I cannot point to you an example of a Knowledge Bank existing here or abroad. The ATI Knowledge Bank should contain much of the science and experiences with all the Philippine farm crops, livestock and fisheries you could think of, in order to cater to anyone. Science must be open, not simply possessed by experts with whom you are forced to be trained.
And yes: Science must be democratic – if the farmer doesn’t like your science, such as crop, produce or method, you cannot force it on that poor fellow!
More importantly, the Knowledge Bank must show the farmer how to be a good entrepreneur.
(The Knowledge Bank must be also for those who do not wish to be trained but are interested in learning by themselves so much agriculture or so much fisheries.)
The customer is always right! That goes with farmers too if you want to train them well.@517
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