CHAPTER 3: PHILOSOPHY, PRINCIPLES, AND PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

Question 1

reflects the guiding principles of fostering education,
sustainability, community involvement, and innovation, all while promoting fairness and inclusivity
in rural development.

Answer 1

Philosophy of agricultural extension-

Question 2

PHILOSOPHY OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

Answer 2

1. Empowerment and Education:
2. Sustainability and Development
3. Community-Centered Approach:
4. Equity and Inclusivity:
5. Innovation and Adaptation:

Question 3

Extension services aim to educate farmers and
rural communities by providing them with knowledge and skills to improve agricultural
practices, productivity, and livelihoods.

Answer 3

Empowerment and Education:

Question 4

The focus is on promoting sustainable
agricultural practices that balance environmental, economic, and social goals.
Extension agents work to foster long-term development that benefits current and future generations.

Answer 4

Sustainability and Development:

Question 5

Extension philosophy emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the specific needs of local communities.

Answer 5

Community-Centered Approach:

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Agricultural extension services should be accessible to all, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location. The philosophy promotes the idea that extension should work towards reducing disparities and promoting equality in agricultural development

Answer 6

Equity and Inclusivity:

Question 7

Principles provide the framework for designing and implementing effective agricultural
extension services. The emphasis on ensures that extension activities are relevant, context-specific, and beneficial
to farmers and rural communities.

Answer 7

education, participation, sustainability, and
adaptability-

Question 8

Various experts, such as Van den Ban and Hawkins,
Rivera and Alex, and Mosher, have written extensively on these principles, offering

Answer 8

1. Principle of Need-Based and Demand-Driven Services:
2. Principle of Participation:
3. Principle of Adaptation to Local Conditions
4. Principle of Education
5. Principle of Sustainability:
6. Principle of Innovation and Continuous Learning:
7. Principle of Two-Way Communication:
8. Principle of Gender and Social Inclusion:

Question 9

o Extension programs should be tailored to meet the specific needs and
demands of farmers and rural communities. This ensures relevance and
increases the likelihood of adoption of new practices and technologies( Oakley,
P., & Garforth, C, 1985)

Answer 9

Principle of Need-Based and Demand-Driven Services:

Question 10

o Farmers and rural communities should actively participate in the identification,
planning, and implementation of extension activities. This participatory
approach fosters a sense of ownership and enhances the effectiveness of the
interventions (Rivera, W. M., & Alex, G, 2004)

Answer 10

Principle of Participation:

Question 11

o Extension messages and technologies should be adapted to fit the local
ecological, cultural, and socio-economic conditions of the farmers. This
principle stresses the importance of context-specific solutions (Van den Ban,
A. W., & Hawkins, H. S, 1996)

Answer 11

Principle of Adaptation to Local Conditions:

Question 12

o Extension is fundamentally an educational process, aiming to provide farmers
with the knowledge and skills needed for better decision-making in farming
practices. It emphasizes the role of extension agents as educators, not merely
providers of information (Mosher, A. T., 1978).

Answer 12

Principle of Education:

Question 13

:
o Extension should promote agricultural practices that are environmentally
sustainable, economically viable, and socially acceptable. The goal is to ensure
long-term productivity without degrading the natural resource base (Pretty, J.,
1995).

Answer 13

Principle of Sustainability

Question 14

o Extension services should encourage continuous learning and the adoption of
new technologies and innovations. It fosters a culture of experimentation and
adaptability among farmers (Rogers, E. M.,2003).

Answer 14

Principle of Innovation and Continuous Learning:

Question 15

o Effective agricultural extension relies on two-way communication between
extension agents and farmers. Feedback from farmers is crucial for adjusting
programs to meet their actual needs (Chambers, R, 1997)

Answer 15

Principle of Two-Way Communication:

Question 16

o Extension services should address the needs of all segments of the rural
population, including women, youth, and marginalized groups. This principle
emphasizes equity and inclusiveness in access to extension resources

Answer 16

Principle of Gender and Social Inclusion:

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• is to improve the quality of life for farmers and rural communities by enhancing agricultural productivity, sustainability, and overall rural development

Answer 17

goal of agricultural extension

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Ultimate Goal of Agricultural Extension:

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1. Enhancing Rural Livelihoods:
   o Improve the living standards of farmers and rural populations by increasing

Question 19

Objectives of Agricultural Extension:

Answer 19

1. Increase Agricultural Productivity:
2. Promote Sustainable Agricultural Practices
3. Facilitate Technology Transfer and Innovation:
4. Enhance Problem-Solving Skills:
5. Strengthen Farmer Decision-Making:
6. Foster Community Development and Empowerment:
7. Improve Market Access and Income Generation:
8. Support Food Security and Nutritional Improvement:

Question 20

o Equip farmers with knowledge and technologies to boost crop and livestock
production while ensuring efficient use of resources.

Answer 20

Increase Agricultural Productivity:

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o Encourage environmentally friendly farming techniques to preserve soil, water,
and biodiversity for future generations

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Promote Sustainable Agricultural Practices:

Question 22

o Serve as a bridge between research institutions and farmers to introduce new
tools, technologies, and farming methods that can improve productivity.

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Facilitate Technology Transfer and Innovation:

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o Train farmers to identify, analyze, and solve problems in their farming systems
through critical thinking and adaptive management.

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Enhance Problem-Solving Skills:

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o Empower farmers with the ability to make informed decisions regarding crop
selection, pest management, marketing, and resource use.

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Strengthen Farmer Decision-Making:

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o Encourage collective action and cooperation among farmers through participatory methods, improving social and economic development in rural areas.

Answer 25

Foster Community Development and Empowerment:

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o Help farmers access better markets and improve the profitability of their agricultural products by building marketing skills and creating networks.

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Improve Market Access and Income Generation:

Question 27

o Contribute to food security by ensuring that farmers are able to produce enough food for their families and communities, and improve dietary diversity through various farming initiative.

Answer 27

Support Food Security and Nutritional Improvement:

Question 28

typically follows a structured framework that categorizes objectives into different levels, ranging from broad, overarching goals to specific, actionable objectives.

Answer 28

hierarchy of objectives of extension-

Question 29

This hierarchy plays a crucial role in organizing extension activities and ensuring that they are aligned with overall developmental goals.

Answer 29

1. Ultimate Goals 2. Intermediate Goals 3. Specific Objectives 4. Operational Objectives

Question 30

• These are broad, long-term aspirations that extension seeks to achieve, often aligned with national or global development goals. Examples include: o Achieving food security. o Promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Answer 30

Ultimate Goals

Question 31

• These are specific outcomes that contribute to the ultimate goals. They often address key areas of focus in extension work. Examples include: o Increasing agricultural productivity and efficiency. o Improving the quality of life in rural communities. o Enhancing access to markets and services

Answer 31

Intermediate Goals

Question 32

• These are clear, measurable targets that outline what extension aims to achieve in a particular program or activity. They guide the implementation of extension services. Examples include: o Training 500 farmers on sustainable farming techniques within a year. o Increasing the adoption of new crop varieties by 30% in a specific community. o Facilitating the establishment of 10 farmer cooperatives by the end of the project.

Answer 32

Specific Objectives

Question 33

• These objectives focus on the practical implementation of extension activities and may involve specific tasks or strategies. Examples include: o Organizing monthly training workshops for farmers. o Distributing educational materials and resources. o Conducting regular field visits to provide support and guidance

Answer 33

Operational Objectives

Question 34

Agricultural extension services in Region VIII and Northern Samar involve a network of stakeholders working together to improve agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and sustainability. The actors include

Answer 34

1. Farmers and Farmer Groups 2. Extension Workers/Agents 3. Government Agencies 4. . Research Institutions 5. Private Sector and NGOs

Question 35

• Role of Farmers as Recipients and Participants in the Extension Process o In Northern Samar, rice and coconut farmers are among the key beneficiaries of extension programs. For example, the Department of Agriculture Region VIII supports farmers in adopting high-yield rice varieties and sustainable farming practices through initiatives like the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program. In Catarman, coconut farmers receive training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to manage the Brontispa beetle infestation affecting their crops. • Farmer-led Initiatives and Innovation- o Farmers in Northern Samar are also organizing cooperatives and associations to support their collective goals. For instance, the Northern Samar Coconut Farmers’ Cooperative actively participates in workshops and training provided by local extension workers, focusing on value-adding processes like the production of virgin coconut oil and coconut-based handicrafts, which helps increase farmers' income.

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Farmers and Farmer Groups

Question 36

o Farmers in Northern Samar are also organizing cooperatives and associations to support their collective goals. For instance, the Northern Samar Coconut Farmers’ Cooperative actively participates in workshops and training provided by local extension workers, focusing on value-adding processes like the production of virgin coconut oil and coconut-based handicrafts, which helps increase farmers' income

Answer 36

Farmer-led Initiatives and Innovation-

Question 37

• Roles and Responsibilities (Communication, Education, Technology Transfer) o Extension workers in Northern Samar play a critical role in communicating new farming techniques, such as using climate-resilient crops. They also assist farmers in accessing government programs, such as Farmers’ Field Schools (FFS), which provide hands-on learning experiences on crop management techniques for upland farmers cultivating root crops like sweet potatoes and taro. • Skills Required for Effective Extension Work (Technical Knowledge, Interpersonal Skills) o In Region VIII, extension agents often work in remote areas with limited infrastructure. In the uplands of San Isidro, Northern Samar, extension agents provide training on sustainable upland farming practices, including soil conservation techniques and agroforestry, helping local communities improve crop yields while preserving their natural environment.

Answer 37

Extension Workers/Agents

Question 38

• National, Regional, and Local Government Roles o The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VIII (DA-RFO VIII) coordinates agricultural extension services in Northern Samar. Through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), farmers in Gamay and Bobon are being trained in mechanized farming techniques and given access to post-harvest facilities to improve rice production efficiency. • Policy Formulation and Resource Allocation o The Provincial Government of Northern Samar plays an active role in resource allocation for agricultural development. Under the One Eastern Visayas agricultural strategy, LGUs coordinate with the DA to ensure that farmers have access to subsidies and farm inputs, especially in remote areas like Palapag and Catubig. . Research Institutions • Role of Research in Developing Relevant and Up-to-Date Technologies- o Research institutions like Visayas State University (VSU) play an important role in agricultural innovation in Region VIII. VSU collaborates with local extension agents to introduce improved root crop varieties that are more drought resistant, which is crucial for upland areas in Northern Samar where water availability is limited during dry seasons. • Linking Researchers with Extension Workers and Farmers- o In Leyte, research centers like the Leyte State University Research and Development Center work in partnership with Northern Samar extension agents to train farmers on the benefits of using biofertilizers and organic farming practices. These innovations are then disseminated to farmers, especially those growing vegetables and root crops in Northern Samar.

Answer 38

Government Agencies

Question 39

• Contribution of Private Companies in Providing Inputs, Market Access, and Training o The Eastern Visayas Regional Agricultural Cooperative (EVRAC) partners with seed companies to provide farmers in Laoang and Allen, Northern Samar with access to high-quality seeds and fertilizers. These inputs help improve crop productivity while ensuring that farmers have reliable markets to sell their produce. • Role of NGOs in Capacity Building and Grassroots Mobilization o NGOs like Leyte-Samar Rural Development Foundation (LSRDF) are active in capacity-building efforts across Northern Samar. They collaborate with LGUs to provide training to women farmers, focusing on sustainable vegetable farming and income-generating activities like backyard poultry production. These initiatives aim to empower rural families and improve food security in the region.

Answer 39

Private Sector and NGOs

Question 40

Conditions for Extension to Evolve

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1. Technological Advancements 2. Policy and Institutional Support 3. Capacity Building and Training 4. Community Engagement and Participation 5. Adaptability to Climate Change and Market Demands

Question 41

o Digital and ICT innovations in agricultural extension o Use of mobile phones, apps, and digital platforms for information dissemination

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Technological Advancements

Question 42

o National policies supporting agricultural extension o Institutional frameworks for extension services

Answer 42

Policy and Institutional Support

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o Continuous training and education for extension agents o Strengthening farmer-to-farmer extension networks

Answer 43

Capacity Building and Training

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o Importance of participatory extension approaches o Building trust and collaboration with rural communities

Answer 44

Community Engagement and Participation

Question 45

o Integrating climate-smart practices in extension o Addressing changing market conditions and farmer needs

Answer 45

Adaptability to Climate Change and Market Demands

Question 46

aims to empower farmers through education, promote sustainability, and foster community-centered development.

Answer 46

Agricultural extension-

Question 47

involve participatory approaches where farmers and communities actively participate in identifying challenges and solutions.

Answer 47

Extension services-

Question 48

is to improve rural livelihoods by increasing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating technology transfer.

Answer 48

goal of agricultural extension-

Question 49

aim to enhance farmers' problem-solving and decision-making skills, improve market access, support food security, and foster community development.

Answer 49

Extension services-

Question 50

(SAAD) Stand for -

Answer 50

Special Area for Agricultural Development

Question 51

(IPM) Stand for-

Answer 51

Integrated Pest Management

Question 52

(FFS) Stand for-

Answer 52

Farmers’ Field Schools

Question 53

(DA-RFO VIII) Stand for-

Answer 53

Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VIII

Question 54

(RCEF), stand for-

Answer 54

Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund

Question 55

(VSU) Stand for-

Answer 55

Visayas State University

Question 56

(EVRAC) Stand for-

Answer 56

Eastern Visayas Regional Agricultural Cooperative

Question 57

(LSRDF) Stand for-

Answer 57

Leyte-Samar Rural Development Foundation