ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) 6 (Western Visayas) gathered some 500 provincial and municipal agriculturists and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in the region for a three-day congress aimed at strengthening their good working relationships.
The congress, which ended on Wednesday, was anchored on the theme, “Agricultural Development Workers: Catalyst for Sustainable Agriculture and Fishery Community towards Competitiveness and Resiliency”.
In an interview, Manuel Olanday, DA-6 regional technical director, said AEWs play a vital role in ensuring that the department’s projects are implemented, the reason why they wanted to maintain a good relationship with them.
“DA is only at the regional level, so we want to get closer with them. Through them, the delivery of programs and projects of the government is going smooth,” he said.
Olanday said these AEWs are primary workers on the ground, serving farmers associations, disseminating information of various technologies, and providing other agricultural assistance.
They are also assigned to gather production data and provide updates to the regional agriculture office.
Each AEW covers three to four barangays or one is to 800 farmers, he said.
Meanwhile, Olanday noted that this is already the third time that they have initiated the congress and that there has always been fruitful discussions.
Among the results of the congress is the creation of the provincial federation of AEWs in the six provinces of Western Visayas – Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras.
“We could now enjoy good relationship with them through the direct exchange of communication, especially on their concerns and initiatives on how to further improve their services,” Olanday said.
He also said they have discussed their continuing desire to push the Magna Carta for Agricultural Development Workers.
“We are fighting and initiating something in the Congress and Senate to push the Magna Carta for our agricultural workers, particularly for their protection and continuing professional development,” he said.
The congress was held at the Punta Villa Resort and Convention Center in Arevalo district in this city. (PNA)
