The Agribusiness Forum entitled “Transforming Agricultural and Food Product Ideas into Reality through

Agropreneurship” first speaker is Mrs. Maria Riccia Knust's who is the vice president of ROMARCOM gave
insights can be directly related to agricultural extension, a field focused on educating and empowering
farmers to improve productivity and sustainability. The AGREE framework she presented—Awareness,
Generate, Refine, Elevate, and Empower—mirrors the core functions of agricultural extension services.
Awareness in agricultural extension is about understanding the local agricultural landscape: the types of
crops grown, the challenges faced by farmers, and the market opportunities or risks such as pests,
climate conditions, and consumer demand. Extension workers must be aware of these dynamics to tailor
advice that fits farmers' specific needs. Generate is akin to the process of creating new solutions for
agricultural issues. Agricultural extension involves the introduction of innovative practices such as new
crop varieties, pest control techniques, or soil management strategies. By generating ideas, extension
agents help farmers adopt practices that are more productive and sustainable. Refine ties into the
continuous improvement aspect of extension work. Just as businesses refine their strategies through
mentorship and feedback, extension services must gather insights from research, successful practices,
and farmer feedback to fine-tune the advice given. Extension workers must stay updated with the latest
agricultural developments and work with researchers and local experts to ensure that their
recommendations are evidence-based and practical. Elevate in agricultural extension involves upgrading
the knowledge and skills of both extension workers and farmers. Collaborating with research institutions,
universities, and larger agricultural companies ensures farmers access to cutting-edge knowledge and
techniques. This helps elevate agricultural productivity and the capacity of the farming community.
Finally, Empower is central to agricultural extension, which aims to empower farmers not only with
technical skills but also by fostering self-reliance, decision-making capabilities, and community
leadership. Extension services focus on ensuring that farmers are motivated, have access to necessary
resources, and maintain well-being, which enhances their productivity and resilience.

Mrs. Maria Riccia Knust's experience partnering with a major corporation like San Miguel highlights a
valuable lesson about humility and continuous learning, even at the highest levels of business. She
shares that the owner of San Miguel once sought her insight before making a critical decision,
underscoring the fact that no matter how successful or established a company is, there is always room to
learn from others. This approach to business aligns perfectly with the philosophy behind agricultural
extension. In agricultural extension, the idea that "even big companies don’t know everything" resonates
deeply. Farmers and agricultural stakeholders, no matter how experienced or knowledgeable they may
be, benefit from continuous learning and collaboration. Agricultural extension services exist precisx`ely
because farming is a dynamic field, constantly evolving with new technologies, environmental
challenges, and market demands. Extension agents serve as intermediaries who gather the latest
research and best practices and share them with farmers, helping them stay updated and adapt to
changes.

Much like San Miguel seeking advice to refine its decision-making, farmers, too, must be open to new
insights, whether from agricultural experts, researchers, or even fellow farmers. The complexity of
agriculture—from managing soil health and water resources to understanding market trends and pest
control—requires a willingness to learn continuously. Just as Knust emphasized that no one knows
everything, extension workers and farmers must maintain a growth mindset. They must collaborate, ask
questions, and seek feedback to improve. Agricultural extension is, in essence, a system of mutual
learning. It is not just a one-way flow of information from experts to farmers; farmers also bring
practical, on-the-ground knowledge that can inform research and policy. This exchange of insights
between big companies and external partners, like what Knust experienced with San Miguel, is mirrored
in the agricultural sector, where learning and adaptation are key to both short-term success and long-
term sustainability.

The phrase "GT Oil Company: Dream, Passion, Growth, Care, Share" reflects a vision rooted in ambition,
dedication, and responsibility. The company's dream represents its aspirations, which are fueled by
passion—a key driving force behind its innovations and commitment to excellence. Growth symbolizes
its ongoing journey toward expansion and impact, while care reflects a deep sense of responsibility
toward the environment, communities, and people. Lastly, sharing embodies collaboration, where
knowledge, resources, and benefits are distributed for collective progress.

Relating this to agricultural extension, the parallel is clear. Agricultural extension services are driven by
similar values. The dream of enhancing food security and improving farmers' livelihoods is central to
agricultural development. Passion drives extension workers to empower farmers with knowledge, while
growth is seen in the advancements in farming techniques and yields. Care is reflected in sustainable
farming practices and environmental stewardship. Finally, sharing is the essence of extension—
disseminating information, skills, and technology to farmers, enabling them to grow and thrive.

In both contexts, success is defined not just by individual progress but by collective impact. Whether it’s
oil exploration or agricultural innovation, the essence of dream, passion, growth, care, and share is the
foundation for building sustainable futures in both industries.