Agri services: Renationalization or devolution?
Currently, a debate over the renationalization of agriculture and fisheries extension services is ongoing, with calls to transfer these responsibilities from local government units (LGUs) back to the Department of Agriculture (DA). This is being done amidst the calls for the government to impose a food emergency.
This discussion is not new—it harks back to the Local Government Code of 1991 and Executive Order No. 138 in 2021, which mandated the devolution of extension services to LGUs. The intent was to empower LGUs to tailor agri-fishery extension services to their unique local needs while the national government, through the DA, assumed a “steering” and policymaking role.
Currently, the DA administers well-established national programs such as rice, corn, high-value crops, fisheries, and livestock, complete with dedicated budget allocations implemented through its regional field offices (RFOs). With devolution, the primary responsibility for delivering these crucial services—often referred to as “last mile” services—rests with the extension workers of LGUs.
To address the notable challenges of devolution and in line with EO 138, the DA in 2020 initiated the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (Pafes) to bolster its field operations. The RFOs were directed to pilot this initiative in the provinces starting in 2021.
Pafes offers a framework to fortify the DA’s last mile linkages by positioning the province as the operational unit for agri-fishery extension (AFE). This model encourages the implementation of province-led collaborative AFE programs through a pluralistic system co-managed by the governor, regional directors of the DA and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, municipal LGUs, other national agencies at the provincial level, the private sector, and civil society organizations. Financial support is provided through a combination of national (DA) and local co-financing arrangements.
To operationalize Pafes, the following steps are essential: (1) signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for its formal establishment; (2) issuance of an executive order by the governor to set up the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center (Pafec); (3) mapping out a Collaborative Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Program (CPAFEP); and (4) signing co-investment agreements.
As of Nov. 15, 2024, beyond the pilot phase, 74 provinces (97 percent) have signed MOAs with the DA, 73 (96 percent) have established Pafecs, 54 (71 percent) have mapped out CPAFEPs, and 35 (46 percent) have signed co-investment agreements for Pafes (DA Operations).
The pioneering volunteer efforts of the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (CAMP), a group of agri-fishery scientists, development specialists, and agri-business practitioners, led to the early piloting of Pafes in Ilocos Norte, setting a template for other provinces. This initiative aimed to make extension services more accessible to farmers and fisherfolk by decentralizing decision-making and service delivery. The close proximity of LGUs to local communities enables a faster response, particularly during calamities, and allows for more customized services tailored to the specific needs of farming and fishing communities. Furthermore, provinces benefit from economies of scale in budgeting, providing sustainable financial support alongside the DA.
Internationally, the most successful agricultural extension models, as seen in Japan, China, and India, feature strong partnerships between national and provincial governments with sustainable, equitable co-financing from the national government.
To further strengthen the DA’s last mile operations, the following measures are recommended: (a) appoint a top-level overseer (undersecretary for operations) to supervise, monitor, and accelerate the mainstreaming of Pafes in regions and provinces, with the support of the assistant secretary for operations, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and RFOs; (b) allocate substantial dedicated counterpart funding for Pafes; and (c) mobilize the League of Provinces to support Pafes and become co-owners of the DA’s food security programs.
With the momentum behind Pafes, reverting to the renationalization of agri-fishery extension services would be counterproductive. The current path, rooted in local empowerment and collaborative governance, promises a more responsive and effective agri-fishery extension service for the nation. This could greatly help in ensuring sustainable food security instead of food emergency.
—————-
Dr. Rex L. Navarro is vice president of CAMP and former director of the DA-ATI.
