Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) PalaySikatan 2.0 technology demonstration officer, Joakim Roe H. Lasco, is taking a new approach to influencing farmers in Tago, Surigao del Sur, to adopt rice management strategies through knowledge sharing and learning (KSL) activities.
Lasco, a graduate of the RCEF Rice Specialists’ Training Course, conducts regular meetings with farmer-partners to discuss the current conditions of crops in the field, and supplements these with further discussions of arising matters to give them more knowledge.
“More than being a technical expert, I also consider myself an extension worker, as I believe incorporating extension activities like KSL in my work is essential in helping farmers appreciate new information and technologies demonstrated to them,” Lasco said.
He focuses on capacitating farmer-partners with skills to properly identify pests and diseases, a crucial ability for making sound integrated pest management (IPM) decisions. These may include incorporating practices such as using resistant varieties, crop rotation, and the use of biological and chemical control agents.
“Most farmers only believe after seeing, so conducting KSL activities like regular field meetings and discussions helps them sustain the knowledge imparted while making sure the field is well monitored,” Lasco explained.
The techno-demo officer guides farmers in the appropriate application of proper inputs to combat pests and diseases, directing them toward the use of cost-reducing practices—a topic he consistently emphasizes. He endeavors to leave farmer-partners with enough knowledge that they can use even after the conclusion of the field demonstration.
“Seeing them improve and gain, both in their livelihood and in knowledge, after working with them in the field is probably the best legacy I can leave as a technical expert and extension worker,” he added.
