(image sources: top in.pinterest.com, bottom vrogue.co)
Know that there is now the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI),
which used to be the Bureau of
Agricultural Extension (BAEx). Now, how has ATI fulfilled its mandate?
At its website, ATI (ati2.da.gov.ph) says:
(The)
Agricultural Training Institute is the capacity(-)builder, knowledge bank and
catalyst of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries extension system.
Nota
bene: ATI is the (1) capacity-builder, (2) knowledge
base and (3) catalyst of the agriculture & fisheries extension system.
“Knowledge base”? Here is the result of my
search for ATI knowledge (as is, not italicized):
Philippines "Agricultural Training
Institute" "cropping systems" "costs & returns"
Results? Zero!
That
tells me that ATI is busy training farmers but not training them to count
the costs and returns of farming! My question: Why not?!
I’m
particularly disappointed that ATI is not concerned with costs & returns – ATI
doesn’t know that that would tell anyone if the farming or fishing
effort is economical or rewarding?
The ATI website says:
“The Institute continues to explore various
areas of collaboration and partnership for its agricultural extension
initiatives to ensure that the farmers and fishers can maximize the services
designed to uplift their living conditions.”
“Designed to uplift their living
conditions” is welcome – but that is short of “designed to uplift them from
poverty to prosperity”!
ATI seems to be concentrating on
“Rural-Based Organizations” (RBOs). The website says, “ATI also adopts holistic
approaches and strategies to encourage engagement and commitment among the said
stakeholders [RBOs] to bring about significant changes in the countryside.” The
website does not explain what it means by “significant changes in the
countryside.”
Elsewhere, there is the National Urban and
Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP). The website says:
“NUPAP is one of the banner programs of the
Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote urban and peri-urban agriculture and
other emerging agriculture practices through agricultural extension and
training programs.”
Also:
“The ATI implements the ATIng Gulayan
Community Garden where technical and financial assistance are provided to
community gardens if they meet the basic requirements for the establishment of
integrated urban agriculture gardens. Interested barangays with vacant spaces
for setting up communal gardens either vertical or plot gardens can qualify for
the assistance provided under the program. Likewise, homeowners’ associations,
schools, and universities in urban areas can also be tapped to establish their
vegetable gardens.”
Alas and alack! Nothing said about ATI training and/or
helping farmers and gardeners to always win in their cost-and-returns efforts –
low costs with high returns. I wonder why?!@517
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