The Department of Agriculture (DA) of Philippine and the Department of Science Technology (DOST) are teaming up to educate agricultural extension workers plus farmers and fisherfolk on new farm-related technologies through the Internet.
These two departments have launched the electronic learning Programme for Agriculture and Fisheries in cooperation with the group of state universities and colleges (SUCs) and non-government organisations. The programme aims to modernise agricultural extension work by harnessing the digital revolution to bring new Information and Technologies closer to rural communities. Through its Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), along with the DOST and their partner-agencies, the department is undertaking this online programme in step with the DA's electronic-Extension Programme, which aims to modernise agricultural extension by bringing information closer and faster to the extension workers, farmers and fisherfolk in the country. The programme is one of the components of the Comprehensive Agriculture and Fisheries Integrated Management System (CAFIAMS), an ambitious programme being undertaken by the Department that will allow small farmers, fisherfolk and agribusiness entrepreneurs cruise the information superhighway by tapping into a DA-run electronic database system for information on new technologies to help them boost yields, optimise profits and eventually engage in online trading or marketing of their produce. The programme also offers certificate courses on agricultural technologies of various commodities especially designed for agricultural extension workers, farmers and fishers in the Philippines. These courses are being developed with the DOST-PCARRD, BAR, SUCs, the ATI Regional Training Centres and DA's Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA)-High Value Commercial Crops Programme. Digital courses on Corn, Coffee, Citrus, broiler, Meat Processing, as well as agri-videos or video clips on various technologies will also be offered under this programme. These e-Learning courses will be delivered via online with the website address at www.e-extension.gov.ph
