Agricultural extension service delivery in the Philippines: the case of Nueva Viscaya

Devolution has provided an elbow room and a legal framework for sincere and innovative leaders, who have the initiative to institute reforms and mechanisms that will improve the lives of their constituents. Since 80 to 85 percent of the population is dependent on farm-related livelihood, then Governor Agbayani believed that focusing the provincial government's resources in developing agriculture would benefit the majority of his constituents and would contribute to alleviating poverty in the area. This principle then became a shared vision to all sectors of the province. With the 1991 Local Government Code and a participatory governance, agriculture extension workers have been enabled to plan and implement extension strategies or approaches which they think are the best for the community. They did not merely follow the policies or approaches being advocated by DA [Department of Agriculture] and other NGAs. This gave rise to innovative programs (such as TREE for Legacy and other co-management schemes farmer-led extension programs, push-for-farm-systems approach), creation and strengthening of farmer associations and cooperatives, and promotion and development of the fruit, vegetables and livestock industries. As fifth class province prior to 1991 Local Government Code, the devolution of personnel from the DA, DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] and Department of Health was not an easy affair. But, through the years, the birth pairs of devolution were smoothed out. Most, if not all, of the devolved agricultural personnel in the province are now content. However, they are affected by the unhappy state of the extension workers in the municipal governments. Interviews reveal the sentiments that even as devolution provided opportunities for local governments to chart their own development, the poorer local governments are at a great disadvantage, because of the very limited funds available to remunerate their staff and spend for projects. Some ATs [Agricultural Technologies] in the poorer municipalities are reportedly earning as little as PHP6,000 per month, which is similar to the salary of provincial clerk. This discrepancy of personal benefits impacts upon their productivity, especially for those demoralized aging ATs. The local governments are at the forefront of the delivery of basic services. Provincial extension workers work through and with municipal workers to deliver services to the people. Failure to deliver at the municipal level could mean failure to deliver at the provincial level. Some provincial agricultural extension workers cite instances where the municipal ATs are not cooperative. When a project fails, the provincial workers get criticisms, but when it succeeds they share it with the municipal workers, who could also take full credit. These personnel issues underscore the need for Provincial Agricultural Extension Program. This program will enable the provincial agricultural related offices to be more strategic and effective in assisting the municipalities in providing agricultural extension to their constituents. The resources available in the province could be distributed more equitably, considering the financial status and technical capabilities of the different municipal governments. With devolution agricultural extension service delivery is changing to suit the needs of the community. New agricultural technologies and delivery approaches are emerging. Hence, constant retooling or capacity building of the extension workers is paramount. With the limited training opportunities provided by DA, the provincial extension workers play a key role in providing this service to the municipal extension workers. As they consider the agricultural development of the whole province, they have to think in terms of how this could be achieved in collaboration with their municipal counterparts. Devolution also facilitated the entrance of new players and partners in the field. NGOs and international organizations (such as United States Agency for International Development, United Nations, Ford Foundation, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and the European Union) have contributed resources to the province in terms of projects and capability building programs. Devolution in Nueva Viscaya has improved agricultural extension service delivery because, along with a shift of focus from crops to farmers, the necessary political support has been achieved. Financial support to agricultural extension-related offices and activities has evidently increased in percentage through the years. This has allowed the hiring of more extension workers. With the increased allocation of resources to agricultural extension services delivery, an improvement of the productivity and social situation is expected. The production trends in livestock, poultry and crops show a very significant increase. Amazing decrease of poverty incidence from 54.8 percent in 1991 to 9.3 in 2000, is more felling. The success of the co-management schemes and its accompanying support services greatly contributed to poverty reduction, because the significant decline in poverty incidence is most evident in the households in upland barangay [villages].