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

FSTP has been implemented by the Agricultural Systems Cluster (ASC)- College of Agriculture UP Los Baños (CA-UPLB) in the provinces of Bohol and Argao, Cebu for five years since 2006-2011. It is implemented with partnership with PCARRD-DOST, LGUs at the provincial and municipal levels, SCUs like Bohol Island State University (formerly (VSCAFTS), Department of Agriculture RFU7 (DA-ATI and APC) and other agencies. The FSTP-FITS project was originally launched in the three selected municipalities of Bohol namely: Loon, Ruero and Sierra Bullones and was expanded to Ubay, Corella and Calape and in the original DA-RFU7 funded areas of Panglao and Davis. The goal of the project is to develop the technical and scientific capabilities of farmers in growing corn, vegetables, 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 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 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 on 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 75cm X 25cm; detaching as 1Pm and breeding techniques, and intercropping. Farmer scientist who took the FSIP Phase III became indigenous extension agents by serving as teachers to fellow farmers through sharing their acquired knowledge and skills. 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 association, farmers are now empowered to gain more bargaining power in terms of price for their produce, to seek for assistance from service providers, 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 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 (Local Government Units)(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.