Major practice in University Extension Office, Research Extension and Training, Cental Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz Nueva Ecija [manuscript]
Date
2019
Authors
Rohn Jericho L. Dayap
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The major practice aimed to practice and develop desirable work attitude and values in extension management, to develop knowledge and skills in agricultural extension methods, techniques and strategies by engaging in extension office activities, and to increase in knowledge in various fields of agricultural extension, extension approaches and methods.
The major practice was carried out at University Extension Office, Research, Extension and Training (RET), Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The major practice started on June 14, 2019 to July 26, 2019 with a total of 240 hours.
The major practice student was assigned in Mango Techno-demo Learning Site. Aside from mango, different varieties of fruit trees and vegetable crops were planted such as pomelo, mango and eggplant. This crops were planted in order to maximize the usage of the area.
The major practice activities and outputs were presented based on the involvement on the agricultural extension modalities such as Capability Building, Techno-demo, Monitoring and Evaluating. In capability building, lakbay aral was conducted. The major practice student learned how to take care the natural resources and how to communicate with Indigenous People. In techno demonstration, there are establishment and maintenance of Mango techno-demo learning site, under this are clearing/cleaning/weeding on the Mango Techno-demo Site to avoid competition in terms of nutrients water and space. Cleaning includes the removal of dried mango branches and leaves in the field. Pest management have three practices were done namely spraying of pesticide, bagging of mango fruit, and installation of insect traps to protect the fruit, to maintain the quality of the fruit, and lessen the damage caused by fruit files. Nutrient and water management are practiced to maintain the growth and development of the crops. The mango seddling production includes the preparation of soil media and potting, planting of seeds and seedlings and nutrient management.
After the one-month of major practice at the University Extension Office, the major practice student learned how to deal and communicate with his supervisor, Extension Office personnel, clients and co-major practice students; learned to appreciate the importance of agricultural extension, to enable farmers adopt the technology taht can improve their living conditions by lowering the cost of production and increase farm yield and income; learned to facilitate, monitor and evaluate trainings such as lakbay-aral. Documentation, monitoring and evaluation are needed to improve future training activities, and gained knowledge and skills in managing techno-demo projects specifically mango orchard production. During the major practice at Techno-demo Learning Site, major practice student met problems such as lack of personal protective equipment specifically in the application of insecticides like spray mask, gloves, goggles, jacket/long sleeve, pants and boots and long pouring of rain during the conduct of the major practice. Based on the problems met, the major practice student made the following recommendations. Purchase of personal protective equipment is needed for the protection against the adverse effect of chemicals, and establishment of working shed is needed to be able to do task even during rainy season such as potting.