The study generally aimed to determine the performance of the agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in the implementation of agriculture programs and projects in the third district of Laguna, Philippines. The data were gathered from 31 AEWs and 151 farmers of the six local government units using a researcher-made questionnaire. The data were treated and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that AEWs in the third district of Laguna were dominated by single, middle-aged, female and agriculture professionals. Also, the study suggest that age, sex, and employment status have no significant difference as to the performance related dimensions but with strong effect sizes that have practical significance. Further, there was strong correlation between the level of competency of AEWs and level of support of LGUs/MAOs to the performance of the AEWs which implies that the higher the level of AEWs technical knowledge and skills and substantial support from LGU/MAO, the better services are being rendered by the AEWs. This study has also proved that programs and projects are still being dominantly funded by the national government and little has been provided by the respective LGUs. Based on the findings, an enhanced monitoring and evaluation tool was recommended to ensure the successful execution of the programs and projects. It is further suggested for LGUs the immediate augmentation of AEWs to effectively deliver agricultural extension services to the farmers. Finally, it is recommended to include LGU-funded agricultural programs as a criterion to obtain the Seal of Local Good Governance.
banner programs, food sufficiency, agricultural extension workers, farmers monitoring, program reforms
This paper is presented in 3rd International Research Competitions 2023
Abdul, B., Ridha, J., Chlloub, M. A., & Lafta, A. H. (2021). Study on Major Constraints and
Problems Facing the Agricultural Extension Workers in Iraq. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353827796
Abdullah, A., Jamil, M.H., Mustabi, J., Asnawi, A., (2021). Strengthening of agent extension
Capacity in efforts to improve the empowerment of beef cattle farmers. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 788 012159
Adams, A., & Jumpah, E. (2021). Agricultural technologies adoption and smallholder farmers’ welfare: Evidence from Northern Ghana. Cogent Economics and Finance.
Adebayo, J. A., & Worth, S. H. (2022). Women as extension advisors. Research in Globalization, 5, 100100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resglo.2022.100100
Adriano, L. (2019). More Women now Engaged in Agriculture. Philippines News Agency
Afzal, A., Al-Subaiee, F., & Mirza, A. (2016). The attitudes of agricultural extension workers towards the use of E-extension for esuring sustainability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sustainability, 8(10).
Akter, S., Rutsaert, P., Luis, J., Htwe, N., San, S. S., Raharjo, B., & Pustika, A. (2017). Women’s empowerment and gender equity in agriculture: A different perspective from Southeast Asia. Food Policy.
Alabi, Olabode & Ajayi, Adedayo. (2018). Assessment of Desired Competencies of Agricultural Extension Agents in Sustainable Agriculture Development Activities in Southwest Nigeria. Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development.18. 11-20.
Brown, E., Decena, F.L & Ebora, R. (2018). The Current State, Challenges and Plans for Philippine Agriculture. Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region.
Bugarin, J. (2018). Philippine Rice Programs in Retrospect. An Input to Philippines Prospective Rice Productivity and Sufficiency Program.
Buisan, P.U. (n.d.). Job Performance on the Devolved Agricultural Services. ACADEMIA. https://www.academia.edu/13455334
Chanco, B. (2020). Why Cut Agriculture Budget? Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/09/14/2042158/why-cut-agriculture-budget
Cidro, Dario & Radhakrishna, Rama. (2020). An Assessment of the Hybrid Rice Program in the Philippines as Perceived by Farmers. Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344864685
Cidro, Dario & Radhakrishna, Rama. (2020). Devolution of Agricultural Extension: The Philippine Experience. ResearchGate. 10.13140/RG.2.2.33502.25925.
Channell, M. (2021). Vrooms Expectancy Theory: How to Motivate Staff and Increase Performance. Retrieved from https://www.tsw.co.uk/blog/leadership-and-management/vrooms-expectancy-theory
Cruz, T. D., Del Rosario, R. M., Jacobo, A. G., Sudario, F. S., Torres, J. P., & Vargas, D. S. (2006). Structure and conduct of agricultural extension services of local government.
Cook, B. R., Satizábal, P., & Curnow, J. (2021). Humanising agricultural extension: A review. World Development, 140, 105337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105337
Declaro-Ruedas, M. (2019). Technology Transfer Modalities Utilized by Agricultural Extension Workers in Organic Agriculture in Philippines. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 23(3), 75. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v23i3.6
Declaro-Ruedas, M. (2015). The agricultural extension workers’ attitude toward organic agriculture in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro. ISSAAS Book of Abstracts
Declaro-Ruedas, Mary Yole Apple & Bais, Leoniel. (2019). Communication Modalities Used in the Delivery of Extension Programs to Small Scale Livestock Raisers in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. International Journal of Agricultural Extension. 7. 39-44. 10.33687/ijae.007.01.2786.
Ekumankama, Oo & VA, Chukwu. (2019). Correlates of Field Extension Workers’ Job Performance and SocioEconomic Variables in Akwaibom State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Research. 10. 10.35248/2593-9173.19.10.257.
FAO. (2019). Agricultural Extension Manual, by Khalid, S.M.N. & Sherzad, S. (eds). Apia.https://www.fao.org/3/ca5007en/ca5007en.pdf
Gregorio, G.B., and Rico C. A. (2020). Assessing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Agricultural Production in Southeast Asia: Toward Transformative Change in Agricultural Food Systems. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development 17(1): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.37801/ajad2020.17.1.1
Hadi, Majeed. (2018). Training Needs of Agriculture Extension Officers in Iraq. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327777638
Herrity, J. (2022, October 1). The importance of training employees: 11 Benefits. Retrieved from www.indeed.com
Herrera, A.M. (2019). Building Resilience of Coconut Smallholder Farmers in the Philippines: Final Evaluation Report of the FarmerLink Program. https://grameenfoundation.org/documents/FarmerLink_Evaluation_Report_1_22_2019.pdf
Intong, J.D., & Ravelo, E.C. (2020). Organizational Commitments, Competencies and Job Performance of the Agricultural Extension Workers in Bukidnon Province, Southern Philippines. International Journal of Agricultural Education & Extension
Jilito, M., & Wedajo, D. (2021). Agricultural extension agents’ education and turnover intentions in public extension services in Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Extension.
Jimenez, D. (2021, October 19). Extention agents grow new skills to cultivate a better future for CGIAR impacts. Retrieved from www.alliancebiodiversityciat.org
Martinez, J.E. (2013). Governance in Agriculture and Rural Development. https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Chap5.pdf
Statistica (2020). Agriculture in the Philippines- statistics and facts. https://www.statista.com/topics/5744/agriculture-industry-in-the-philippines
The World Bank (2000). Decentralizing Agriculture Extension: Lessons and Good Practice. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/692031468175770380/pdf/319050Decentralization0Ag0extension.pdf
Cite this article:
Delgado, E.A. & Villacruel, P.D. (2023). Performance of agricultural extension workers in the implementation of agriculture programs and project in the third district of Laguna. The Research Probe, 3(2), 5-12. https://doi.org/10.53378/trp.12232
License:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.
