CCO 1 – Ag.Ext.

1 –
Agriculture

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PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNIVERSITY
NOT FOR SALE
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Ag.Ext.1 – Agriculture
 
Chapter 2

The Challenge of Extension

Chapter 2

The Challenge of Extension

 
Introduction

Low morale, depression, economic worries, and less productivity are now common in
extension organizations due to HIV/AIDS. Extension workers who by training are required
to motivate farmers to try and adopt new agricultural technology themselves depressed and
frustrated, and this affects their output.

Specific Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

 
- Explain the areas of concern that pose challenge to extension.
- Identify the geographic areas covered by extension.
- Internalize and practice the characteristics of ideal extension worker.

Duration
 

Chapter 2: The Challenge of Extension = 5 hours

(3 hours discussion; 2 hours
assessment)
Lesson Proper

Extension is a
process of effecting
positive change in the
lives of people
particularly those in
the countryside. To
bring about thechange
is a difficult task
considering the needs
and problems that
beset the extension
system and the
realities of life in the
rural areas. It requires

a lot of committed
human resources, adequate budget and support services from the government
organizations non-government organizations and local government units.
 The following areas of concern pose challenge to the extension delivery system.

1. Wide Geographic Area of Coverage

The Philippines is Composed of 16 regions, 78 provinces, 96 cities, 1,513
municipalities and 41,943 barangays (DILG, 2000). ldeally, an extension worker
should serve 3 barangays in order to be effective.

2. Ecological Zones
In the Philippines, there are different ecological
zones like the lowland irrigated, lowland rainfed,
and upland hilly, mountainous, and coastal areas.
An extension worker should know the
characteristics of these zones so as to be better
prepared to give appropriate assistance to the
people in terms of agricultural and fisheries
production projects.

3. The Culture of the People

Understanding the culture of
the people is one
requisite to successful extension
work. Research results and technology
which are good for one culture may not be acceptable to people with another
culture.
4. Problems of the People
Among the problems which must be given attention by the extension workers
are rapid population growth, poverty, low productivity in agriculture and fisheries,
unemployment, underemployment, inadequate basic services, and environmental
degradation. The people should be involved in the identification of alternative
courses of action or solutions to solve these problems.
Approximately 75 percent of the population live in the rural areas and
depend on agriculture as the main source of livelihood. The farmers, fishermen and
other workers who live on a mere subsistence level should be converted into a
farmer, fisherman, blue collar worker-entrepreneurs. Until and when the rural
people would earn beyond what is needed for food and basic necessities that they
will be able to buy the other amenities in life. Improved purchasing power of the 75
percent of our people who live in the rural area implies an increased productivity of
industries. For example, more computers maybe seen in the villages or barangays
and more farmers can buy farm machineries needed in their farm.

Making the youth busy in their farms and homes by engaging in productive
enterprises will reduce migration to cities or urban areas where most prostitution
problems occur.

Advocating entrepreneurial projects and training the people to become

entrepreneurs may lessen underemployment and unemployment problems thus
contribute to economic productivity of the nation.

Massive information campaign to increase people’s awareness and

consciousness about the environmental problems like floods, wildlife nearing
extinction, pollution, should be undertaken.
5. Globalization, Information and Communication
Revolution
Globalization concerns can be addressed thru extension by enhancing
competitiveness of people in agriculture and fisheries production in both domestic
and
foreign markets. As
greater knowledge
and skills become
important due to
changes in
technology, there
are corresponding
changes in the
education and
training needs of
the people.
These necessitate
assessment of the
training and
education needs of the people so that appropriate
programs can be designed for them. Information and communication revolution
makes access to information easier but there is much to be desired in terms of
equipment and facilities.
With the foregoing challenges, government agencies, non-government
organizations or private sectors, local government units, people’s organizations and
other partners in extension should work hard hand-in-hand with each other. Basic
and support services should be improved/enhanced and made readily available to
people who are in dire need of them. in dire need of them.

Commitment,
cooperation,
coordination, and
complementation
are key-values
and strategies to
remember for the
sake of our
fellowmen.
Commitment is
being concerned
 with other people. It is also giving the best of oneself in helping others. Cooperation
is a
process by which individuals, groups and organizations come together interact and
form psychological relationship for mutual gain or benefit. Coordination means
harmonized and unified efforts of organizations and people while complementation
connotes providing the needed support lacking in one organization. Implementation
may also mean partnership among the different organizations. Added to these
values are the right attitudes of extension workers and clientele towards extension.
Moreover, disseminating appropriate technologies and relevant information to the
clientele using different methods and coaches must be done.
Extension being problem and issue-oriented, change and development-
focused, and transformation directed requires that the human resource who will be
involved in extension delivery should possess the following characteristics:

a. Has multi -disciplinary theoretical and

practicalgrounding.
b. Sensitive to the needs and problems of
individuals,organization,and communities
.
c. Open to change and development
d. Commitment to work for development in
accordancewith whatpeople and communities
want.

Our experiences and consolation in working with the people in the barangays, in
cooperation and partnership with national government agencies, local government units,
nongovernment organizations, in teaching undergraduate and graduate students of
agriculture and fishery courses, extension education and rural development as well as in
training and communicating with people who belong to different sectors in our society
inspire us to write a book on extension. If we want to be self-fulfilled in public service,
extension maybe one consideration. You will forever be remembered if the people felt that
you are concerned about their welfare.
ACTIVITY SHEET

ACTIVITY 2

Chapter 2

Name: JOHN HARRIS S. REMOLACIO Course/Year/Section: BAT-IIIB Score:

_________

Direction: Answer the questions correctly and substantially.

(Point is based on the 5 point rubric.

1.As an extension worker, how will you help solve the problems of the people in a certain
locality. Use the format below to present your answer’

PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS
Outstanding cooperation, coordination, and
complementation are key-values
and strategies to remember for the
sake of our fellowmen.

Good Has multi-discipilinary theoretical and

practical groundings
Fair Sensitive to the needs and problems of
individuals,organizationz and communities
Poor Open to change and development
Very Poor Commitment to work for development in
accordance with what people and
communities want
2. Why is culture important to people?

Understanding the culture of the people is one requisite to

successful extension work. Research results and technology which are good.
Assessment (insert Rubrics)
Each question will be graded based on this five (5) point rubric.

LEVEL DESCRIPTION

. an outstanding example of courage. marked by

superiority or distinction; excellent; distinguished:
5 - Outstanding
an outstanding student. continuing in existence;
remaining unsettled, unpaid, etc..

acceptable, excellent, exceptional, favorable, great,

marvelous, positive, satisfactory, satisfying, superb,
4 - Good
valuable, wonderful, honest, respectable, able,
efficient, proper, reliable, suitable, talented

Something or someone that is fair is reasonable,

3 - Fair
right, and just.

lacking sufficient money to live at a standard

considered comfortable or normal in a society.
2 - Poor people who were too poor to afford a telephone. no
food to eat homeless , No house

a situation in which someone does not have

1 - Very Poor enough money to pay for their basic needs. No
house, No money, and a fat man
Assignment (if any)
Learner’s Feedback Form
 
Name of Student: ___________________________________________________
Program : ___________________________________________________
Year Level : ___________ Section : ___________
Faculty : ___________________________________________________
Schedule : ___________________________________________________
 
Learning Module : Number: _________ Title : ______________________
 
 
How do you feel about the topic or concept presented?
□ I completely get it. □ I’m struggling.
□ I’ve almost got it. □ I’m lost.
 
In what particular portion of this learning packet, you feel that you are struggling or lost?
___________________________________________________________________________
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Did you raise your concern to you instructor? □ Yes □ No
 
If Yes, what did he/she do to help you?
___________________________________________________________________________
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If No, state your reason?

___________________________________________________________________________
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To further improve this learning packet, what part do you think should be enhanced?
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How do you want it to be enhanced?
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NOTE: This is an essential part of course module. This must be submitted to the subject
teacher (within the 1st week of the class).