The Rice Extension Services Program (RESP) where the 10% of the rice fund is allocated will be made available for the extension services provided by DA-PHilMech, DA-PhilRice, DA-ATI, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for teaching skills on rice crop production, modern rice farming techniques, seed production, farm mechanization, and knowledge/technology transfer through farm schools nationwide which are as follows: seventy percent (70%) to TESDA, and ten percent (10%) each to DA-ATI, DA-PhilRice, and DA-PHilMech. The RESP aims to enhance, through strategic extension services, the capability of RCEF beneficiaries in rice and seed production, mechanization, and other relevant skills for improved competitiveness and income. Specifically, it aims to:

  • Improve knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices of RCEF beneficiaries in producing more rice at a reduced production cost through training programs, enterprise development assistance, and communication support services;
  • Increase access to modern, science-based farming techniques and other relevant skills by developing farm schools and strengthening their capacities on rice knowledge/technology transfer; and
  • Enable availability of training programs under RCEF through a scholarship scheme.

Components Briefer

  1. Training Programs: The training programs are designed and delivered to a.) rice and machine specialists, b.) trainer, c.) RSBSA-listed Farmers, Farm Workers, and their dependents, and d.) Seed Growers, Inspectors, Analysts, Inspectors, and Other Extension Intermediaries to improve their Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, and Practices (KASP) primarily on inbred rice and seed production, mechanization, and other relevant skills.
  2. Strategic Communication Services: This is to complement the training programs in enhancing the target client’s knowledge and access to information services on high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies as well as other skills and opportunities (e.g., machine services, scholarships, training offerings) to improve their competitiveness and income. Additionally, it seeks to reinforce favorable changes in farmers’ perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors toward a competitive rice industry.
  3. Enterprise Development Assistance: To ensure viable and sustainable FCA operations, the RCEF-RESP is offering enterprise development assistance to various farmers’ organizations. Specific assistance to be offered include but not limited to: business and operational plan preparation and capability-enhancement training.
  4. Development & Strengthening of Farm Schools: Farm Schools refer to existing TESDA-registered Farm Schools (FS) and Technology Institutions (TTIs), ATI Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs), Schools for Practical Agriculture (SPAs), and Extension Service Providers (ESPs), Agricultural State and Local Universities and Colleges (S/LUCs), and other training providers (e.g., DA-ATI RTCs, DA-PhilRice, DA-PHilMech). The Farm Schools are the sites where the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and other relevant training are conducted.
  5. Scholarship Program: TESDA designs and implements a scholarship program through the use of vouchers (scholarship grant certificate) intended for RSBSA-listed farmers and farm workers. The scholarship vouchers will be awarded to beneficiaries for them to be enrolled to various training regulations offered by TESDA.