Giving Field Personnel Practical Facilitation Skills
BOHOL - The TOP Training focused on methods that agricultural extension personnel can use when facilitating discussions and workshops with local stakeholders. Participants explored participatory workshop techniques, stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and action planning as tools for organizing community priorities. These skills can help personnel guide conversations in a structured way while giving participants opportunities to contribute their perspectives. With 35 provincial and municipal extension workers taking part, the training brought together personnel who work directly with agricultural communities across different areas of Bohol.
Putting Farmers and Fisherfolk Into the Conversation
A major focus of the training was the importance of listening to farmers, fisherfolk, and other agricultural stakeholders when developing local plans. Their needs, experiences, priorities, and aspirations are intended to be incorporated into agricultural planning, particularly through the Municipal Agricultural and Fisheries Development Plans (MAFDP). This participatory approach recognizes that communities have firsthand knowledge of the conditions affecting their livelihoods. Giving that knowledge a place in planning discussions can help local agricultural offices better understand the concerns that need to be considered when developing programs and interventions.
From Community Priorities to Concrete Plans
The training connects facilitation skills with the practical task of turning community discussions into actionable plans. Instead of treating planning as a process handled only within government offices, the approach encourages agricultural personnel to create spaces where stakeholders can contribute to identifying priorities and possible actions. The initiative supports Gov. Aris Aumentado's commitment to a responsive and inclusive agricultural sector and aligns with the PGBh Strategic Governance Roadmap for a smart, resilient, and inclusive Bohol. By strengthening the people who facilitate agricultural planning at the community level, the province is building another channel for farmers, fisherfolk, and local government personnel to work together on the priorities that shape Bohol's agricultural future.
