PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE

AND FISHERY EXTENSION

SYSTEM: LESSONS LEARNED
AND THE WAY FORWARD
AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS OF
DEVOLUTION
Presented by:

ASTERIO P. SALIOT
Director, ATI
On the 15th UP Diliman Governance Forum,
19 October 2006
*The bulk of this paper was taken from Dr. Tito
Contado’s Country Report on Decentralization of
Agricultural Service Delivery on August 25, 2004
 INTRODUCTION

• Being dynamic, the country’s agriculture and fishery

sectors have been continuously faced with challenges
and situations that influenced its performance in the
past years.
• The agricultural extension system in the Philippines
became a little more complicated when E.O. 116 was
issued by then President Corazon Aquino in 1987.
• The agricultural decentralization, which took effect
during the devolution of powers to the Local
Government Units (LGUs) as per Local Government
Code of 1991 further complicated the situation.
• From one central government that would supervise
and facilitate agricultural extension and training
services for farmers, fishers and other beneficiaries –
extension and training activities were passed on to
the LGUs.
• As agricultural extension services became
decentralized, several issues and concerns that
directly affected the farmers and fishers at the
grassroots level, surfaced.
• Often, agricultural extension in the provinces and
municipalities became less of a priority.
• In a lot of localities, it became more of a luxury
rather than a need.
 DA Bureaus and Attached
Agencies with Extension and
Training Activities

• Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)

• Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
• Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
• Bureau of Post-Harvest Research and Extension
(BPRE)
• Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM)
• Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)
• Cotton Development Authority (CODA)
• Fiber Development Authority (FIDA)
• National Tobacco Administration (NTA)
• Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
• Philippine Carabao Center (PCC)
• Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)
• Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA)
Extension and Training Activities
of the DA

• Technology Demonstration
• Training Services
• Diffusion of Information Through Tri-Media
• Advisory Services

However, due to the decentralization of functions in

the agriculture sector, the people in the grassroots
level were not able to experience these programs on
a first-hand basis.
 Objectives

• This paper aims to look into the current

situation of the agriculture extension and
training in the country.
• It also looks into some of the weaknesses of
the current agricultural training and extension
system, thus, corresponding
recommendations will be given.
 The Decentralized Agriculture
Extension System: An Overview

• RA 7160 known as the Local Government Code of

1991 is the legal instrument of the Decentralization
of the Agricultural Extension System in the
Philippines.
• On the basis of the Local Government Code, The
Department of Agriculture’s (DA) extension services,
was devolved to:
• Provincial LGU;
• City LGU; and
• Municipal LGU
 Agricultural Extension Work of
the Local Government Units

• The largest proportion of the country’s

agricultural extension force are with the LGUs
which consists of 79 provinces, 84 cities and
1,525 municipalities and more or less 42,000
barangays.
• The LGU inherited the general agriculture
extension (BAEx, now the Agricultural
Training Institute).
Some Limitations Encountered by
the LGUs

• Knowledge management strategies are more

restricted than when extension was not yet devolved.
• Reports indicate that extension workers are office
bound due to shortage of operational funds for travel
and information materials.
• In the context of the Agricultural Knowledge and
Information Systems (AKIS), the devolved extension
seems isolated and therefore has a very weak linkage
with national and international agricultural research.
• Strangely, the LGU extension service is highly
dependent on the Central Government (IRA) for
funding.
 The Legal and Institutional
Aspect of Decentralization

• As per Local Government Code of 1991, the entire budget

and personnel of DA assigned at the local level were
transferred to the LGUs – composed of 79 provincial, 84
cities and about 1,525 municipalities.
• These 1,687 LGUs provide services to 42,000 barangays.
• The BAEx remained at the central level but became a part
of the national Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
• ATI was mandated to train the agriculture staff of the DA
and the extension staff of the LGUs. It now serves as the
national policy and coordination agency for the
decentralized and fisheries modernization system.
 LGU Clientele

• Men, women and youth within their geographical

boundaries.
• Small, medium and big farmers of different
commodities as well as fishermen.
• Traders and consumers
 Objective of Decentralization

• Bring government service closer to the people;

• Give the local people the control and opportunity to
participate in the planning and implementation of
extension program;
• Make the responsible local government less dependent on
the central government for support of extension services
that benefits the constituents;
• Reduce the top heavy central government budget and
personnel; and
• Make the LGUs responsible for the cost of providing
needed agricultural services to their constituents.
 Scope of LGU extension services
as mandated by the Government

Barangay Level

• Agricultural support services including

distribution of planting materials and operation of
farm produce collection and buying stations.
Municipal Level

• Extension and on-site research services and facilities

related to agriculture and fisheries activities, including
dispersal of livestock and poultry, fingerlings and other
seedling materials for aquaculture, palay, corn and
vegetable seed farms, medicinal plant gardens, fruit trees,
coconut and other kinds of seedling nurseries,
demonstration farms, quality control of copra and
improvement and development of local distribution
channels, preferably through cooperatives, inter-barangay
irrigation system, water and soil resource utilization and
conservation projects; and enforcement of fishery laws in
municipal waters including the conservation of mangroves.
Municipal Level

• Pursuant to national policies and subject to supervision,

control and review of the DENR, implementation of
community-based forestry projects which include
integrated social forestry programs and similar projects;
management and control of communal forests with an
area not exceeding 50 square kilometers; establishments
of tree parks, green belts and similar forest development
projects.
Municipal Level

• Information services which include investment and job

placement information systems, tax and marketing
information systems, and maintenance of public library.
• Infrastructure facilities communal irrigation, small water
impounding projects and other similar projects, fish ports,
artesian wells, spring development, rainwater collectors
and water supply systems, seawalls, dikes, drainage and
sewerage and flood control, traffic signals and road signs
similar facilities.
• Public markets, slaughterhouses and other municipal
enterprises,
Provincial Level
• Agricultural extension and on-site research services and facilities
which include the prevention and control of plant and animal
pests and diseases, dairy farms, livestock markets, animal
breeding stations and artificial insemination centers and
assistance in the organization of farmers and fishermen’s
cooperatives, and other collective organizations as well as the
transfer of appropriate technology.
• Pursuant to national policies and subject to supervision, control
and review of the DENR, enforcement of forestry laws limited to
community-based forestry projects, pollution control law, small-
scale mining law and other laws on the protection of the
environment, and mini-hydroelectric projects for local purposes.
• Irrigation systems, reclamation projects and similar facilities.
City Level
• Disseminate information
• Render technical assistance to clienteles
• Assist and coordinate with local and national agency
representatives
• Promote and maintain clientele organizations
• Monitor and evaluate agricultural projects and programs
• Assist SMS and clientele
• Implement regulatory quarantine laws
• Formulate farm and family development plans
• Assist in the development of agribusiness projects
• Conduct farm and home surveys
• Assist in formulation plans, programs and home visit, followed
by training and techno-demo approaches.
 Structure of Agricultural Extension
Services in the Agriculture and
Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997
(AFMA)
• The AFMA mandates the:
“provision of training, information and support
services by the government and non-government
organizations to the agriculture and fisheries sectors
to improve the technical, business and social
capabilities of farmers and fisherfolk”
• However, the Local Government Code failed to
provide mechanisms for the central government or
next higher level of LGU to direct assistance or
augment services and facilities assigned to the LGUs.
 Corrective Measures included
in the AFMA of 1997

• Chapter 2 of AFMA calls for the “utilization of

research results through formal and non-formal
education, extension and training services”
• “Development of national extension system that will
help accelerate the transformation of Philippine
agriculture and fisheries from a resource-based to a
technology-based industry.”
• Agriculture and Fisheries services included training
services, farm or business advisory services,
demonstration services and information and
communication support services through tri-media.
• The “delivery of agriculture and fisheries extension
services shall be multidisciplinary an shall involve the
farmers, fisherfolks and their organizations and those
engaged in food and non-food production and
processing, including the private and public sectors.”
• Participation of LGUs, state colleges and universities
was clearly defined.
 Defined Roles of LGUs, SUCs
and Private Sector

• LGU is responsible for delivering direct agriculture and

fisheries extension services. The province is mandated to
“integrate the operations of the agriculture extension
services and undertake an annual evaluation of all
municipal extension programs.
• Private sector contribution is encouraged especially the
participation of farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and
associations and others in the private sector in the training
and other complimentary extension services especially in
community organizing, use of participatory approaches,
popularization of training materials, regenerative
agricultural technologies, agri-business and management
skills.
• SUCs shall assist in the LGUs extension system by
improving their effectiveness and efficiency through
capability-building and complimentary extension activities,
such as technical assistance, training of LGU extension
personnel, improvement of physical facilities, extension
cum research and information support services.
 Other Provisions of the AFMA

The AFMA also provide for the financing of agriculture

through:
1. Allocation of multi-year budgets that shall be treated as
grants
2. Transfer of funds from the DA to the LGUs as extension
grants, and
3. Placing the budget for agriculture and fishery at minimum
of 1% of the Gross Value Added
 Problems and Issues on the
Decentralization of Agricultural
Services (Legal Issues)

• No provision in the Local Government Code

for Local Government Units’ agricultural
extension to have functional relationship with
the Central Government, particularly the
Department of Agriculture.

The Local Government Code does not have a

specific provision for a functional and support
relationship with the Department of Agriculture.
• The local Government Code allows national
government programs at the local
government levels

Although national banners programs involve the

provision of agricultural services, they are still
managed by the Central Government Agencies
through the LGUs.
• The Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA 8550)
empowered the DA through BFAR to develop
cost effective, practical and efficient
extension services on a sustained basis to
municipal fishers in underdevelop areas.

This is in contradiction to the Local Government

Code which provided that direct extension delivery
services for farmers and fishermen is the
responsibility of Local Government Units.
• Unclear and inadequate legal basis for ATI to
serve as the APEX agricultural extension
agency of the country

Until a study of the agricultural extension system

was conducted in 2000, the national agency’s
records and profile on the decentralized agricultural
extension services were inaccurate.
• Municipalities are too small Operational Units
for Agricultural Extension

Due to small operational units for agricultural

extension, they cannot afford to hire the needed
Subject Matter Specialists (SMS), thus, extension is
isolated from the agricultural research system. Also,
these units cannot afford the needed administrative
personnel that would provide logistical support.
• No hierarchy of authority on Agricultural
Extension Program in the Provinces

The Provincial Agricultural Extension Service does

not seem to have the authority to provide policy
direction, allocate extension resources,
coordinate/supervise and monitor the
implementation of agricultural extension programs in
the territory.
• No functional APEX agency for agricultural
extension at the national level

DA has no institutional channel to work with LGUs

on agricultural extension policy, coordination,
support and monitoring. Also, the LGUs do not have
a national institution to work with on matters of
agricultural extension policy and coordination and
partnership support on agricultural extension.
• DA Decentralization to 15 Regions has no
positive impact on the Devolved Agricultural
Extension Service

DA’s resource allocation for the decentralization of

agricultural services is not felt at the local level. Also,
the DA does not have policies, coordinative and
resource allocation functions for the devolved
agricultural function.
Human Resource-Related Concerns

• Number of Extension Personnel Devolved

In 1992, 59% (17,673) out of the 29,638 DA

personnel were devolved. Also, when PIDS
conducted a study in 2000, results showed that
there were about 25,097 personnel in the devolved
agricultural services. This trend maybe favorable to
the devolution policy, however, it clearly shows that
the municipality is a small operational unit of
agricultural extension compared to the provincial
level, which could maximize the functions of the
devolved personnel within its geographical
coverage.
• Cultural Adjustment

The interest and priorities of each local government

official vary, thus, funding for agricultural services
depended on the economic class of the LGUs and
interests of local officials.
• Lack of incentives for career advancement

One of the most common complaints of devolved

agricultural extension staff was the limited
opportunities for career growth. From stable and
promising position, agricultural workers have closed
priorities of climbing the career ladder since most of
the provincial offices are not connected with the
regional and national DA structure.
 Financial Concerns

• Funds for programs and projects for National

Agricultural development agenda

National agenda is not shared as a joint agenda with

the decentralized government. In addition, when the
extension components of the funds are directly
administered by the DA agencies instead of coursing
it through the LGU, it causes field operation
disruption instead of improving and strengthening
the extension work.
• Lack of ideology of cooperation or
interdependence in pursuing the country’s
agricultural and development agenda

When the Local Government Code of 1991 was

passed, agricultural services were assigned to the
LGU without any reference to its being a part of the
national responsibility and authority for agricultural
modernization and development.
• Lack of an institutional system of financial
transfer for agricultural extension

When the BAEx was abolished, the central

government has lost a mechanism of working with
the devolved agricultural extension service. On the
other hand, the LGU, the devolved agricultural
extension does not have an organizational set-up for
the agricultural extension through which assistance
in extension can be achieved.
 Recommendations to make
Decentralization Work

• Strengthen partnership with LGUs and

central government

If the partnership of LGUs and the central

government is not clearly spelled in the Local
Government Code, a legislation, which includes
terms of partnership – specifically on planning and
financial sharing transfers – should be passed.
• How else can partnership be institutionalized
and strengthened?
- A state policy that agricultural and fisheries
production, trade, safe and sustainable development
is a joint responsibility between the central
government and the LGUs.
- A nationally declared policy that financing the
devolved agricultural extension work is a joint or
cooperative responsibility of the LGUs and the central
government.
- Strengthening of existing but useful mechanisms and
creating new instruments and mechanisms of
partnership between central government and LGUs
on making the devolved agricultural extension work
more efficient and cost-effective.
• Performance-Based financial incentives

The central government may use its financial

contribution to the LGUs in exchange of well-defined
outputs and achievements.
• Retooling and Energizing the human resource
in agricultural extension

Respond to personnel who need retooling and

energizing so that they can conduct themselves
knowingly, with the proper attitude and needed
competence.
• Re-create and strengthen the ATI as the APEX
and lead agency for agricultural extension
system of the country

Strengthen the ATI as the national Agricultural

Extension and Training Agency.
• The ATI should have the mandate and
adequate resource allotment to perform the
following essential functions:
- Provide policy direction
- Serve as the administrator of the transfer of national
fund to support the devolved agricultural extension
operation in accordance with defined performance
targets
- Coordinate and stimulate the exchange of
experiences on extension among the LGU extension
officials
- Monitor, evaluate and plan the over-all
decentralized agricultural extension service of the
country.
- Ensure access to research knowledge, and
- Set standards to ensure cost-effective quality
extension service.
• Achieve national and structural goals

National goals such as poverty alleviation,

competitiveness, safe and sustainable agriculture
could be realized more efficiently and effectively if
shared with the LGUs.

• Improve the performance of farmers

Every farmer in the locality should belong and

enrolled to a participatory farmers’ organization
under the guidance of a well-trained and highly
motivated and well-paid devolved agricultural
extension worker.
 General Recommendations

• Greater Tax Decentralization

LGUs in the Philippines suffer from vertical fiscal gap

because many types of taxes are either easier to
administer at the central level or are deemed
unsuitable for local government imposition. This
imbalance should be addressed by assigning more
tax bases to the LGUs.
• Reassessing Tax Revenue Assignment Across
LGU levels

There is a mismatch between the assignment of

revenues and expenditure responsibilities to the
different levels of local government.

• Redesigning intergovernmental transfers

This would address the disparities in the fiscal

capacities of the LGUs as well as ensure that they
get the appropriate financing for their basic services.
• Re-orienting LGU and central government
officials on partnership and interdependence
in governance

Create a realistic program of re-orienting LGU and

central government officials to make their
partnership interdependent.
• Amendment of the Local Government Code
and the AFMA or the enactment of a new law
on agriculture and fisheries extension in the
Philippines, with the following functions:
- Lead in the development of a national extension policies and
agenda
- Develop and implement national policies and programs for
continuous improvement of the quality of extension methods
- Manage the national IEC budget for agriculture and fisheries
- National leadership in the development and implementation of
the National Information Network (NIN)
- National leadership in developing IEC partnerships towards
increased investment and private sector participation
- National leadership in developing, implementing a national
system of strengthening institutional IEC capacities
- Ensure access to research knowledge; and
- Set standards to ensure cost-effective quality extension services