In its fifth year of the implementation, the Strategic Communication Project under the RCEF Extension Component strengthen its campaign to reach the unreached farming communities especially to areas where there are no farm schools and have limited access to information.

In collaboration with the local government units, the DA-PhilRice Bicol identifies 7 communities where need-based knowledge, sharing, and learning (KSL) activities be launched. These includes the island municipalities of Capul, Biri, Laoang, Monreal, and distant areas of San Jose de Buan, Pagsanghan, and Bulusan.

As a prerequisite, the team has started to assess these communities and their communication requirements through a Focused Group Discussion (FGD). This strategy will address the needs and constraint of rice farmers which affects their yield and income from irrigated to rainfed ecosystem. Also this will help determine how best to disseminate useful information. (FB, DA-PhilRice Bicol, February 19, 2024)