Farmer-scientists research, development and extension training program (FSTP): a methodology to enhance farmers' information technology services (FITS) in Argao, Cebu and Bohol (Part 2: an expansion)

The goal of the FSTP-FITS project is to develop the technical and scientific capabilities of farmers in growing corn, vegetable fruits, root crops and other crops to enhance their knowledge on appropriate farming technologies and make them succeed in the business of farming and live in prosperity. Moreover, this project also aims to institutionalize the enhancement of the technical capability of the researchers and extension workers at the regional, provincial and municipal levels for better services in their respective constituents. FSTP is basically an integrative and holistic three-phase Research, Development and Extension (RDE) methodology: phase 1 (Research Exposure, Technical Empowerment, Enterprise Development and Values Formation); phase 2 (On-Farm Trials for Technology Verification and Adoption) and phase 3 (Farmer-To-Farmer RDE and Technology Transfer at the Barangay [village] Level). Every phase is a season long training for corn. Farmers were given some decision tools on what particular technologies to adopt based on the best results of their experiments. It showed in their experiments that the different areas have some variations in the results due to location specificity. They found out that productivity improved and consequently increased their income through proper utilization of organic like Bio-N, chicken manure and inorganic fertilizers; the use of hybrid and open-pollinated varieties of corn; planting of 1-2 seeds per hill and distance of 75 cm x 25 cm; detasseling as IPM and breeding techniques; and intercropping. Farmer-scientist who took the FSTP Phase 3 became indigenous extension agents by serving as teachers to fellow farmers through sharing their acquired knowledge and skill. They also acquired the skill of a scientist by conducting experiments of their own. To facilitate the comprehension and adoption of the FSTP corn technologies, several audio-visual materials were translated to the local language, produced and distributed to the farmer-scientists and Municipal Agriculture Offices which they used as reference in their farming practices. Lack of post harvest facilities and other farm equipments are some of the problems in pursuing corn production. Changing weather condition especially too much drought and rain badly affects the growth of the plants. Climate change concept was being tackled in the training for the farmers to learn to gradually cope with it. Through the formation of Farmer-Scientist Associations, farmers are now empowered to gain more bargaining power in terms of price for their produce, to seek for assistance from service provider, to lobby for some advocacies, to develop project proposals for implementation, etc. to uplift agricultural productivity for the whole community. Through the training process, the associated values formation and enhancement were also developed. They learned to take responsibilities by participating and committing to do their tasks in their group assignments through data collection and analysis, report preparations and discussion and group reporting during their class sessions where they shared to their fellow farmers the experiences and skills they have learned and acquired. They also improved their personality in the process which included good grooming, dealing not only with fellow farmers but also with other people like the scientist/ resource persons, politicians, high government officials invited in their areas, business men, etc and therefore expanded their networking horizon for their advantage. The participation, commitment and working relationships of all the partner-agencies is also enhanced for project sustainability. FSTP institutionalization is done through the issuance of SB or SP resolution by the concerned LGUs (provincial and municipal) for yearly budget allocation also to ensure project sustainability. Likewise a regular monitoring and evaluation of FSTP activities are done by LGUs to timely address issues and concerns. With the existing contribution of FSTP in the farmers' improved corn productivity and income at present time, all the project sites expressed their intention to continue with the program after its termination.