ATTENDANCE AND OBSERVATION IN THE 1ST UMAANI EXPO

IN AGRICULTURE TRAINING INSTITUTE-REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER I

(ATI-RTC I), STA. BARBARA, PANGASINAN

by:

ALARILLA, Jose Carlo A.

SALENGA, Carmela R.
 I. Introduction

The Agriculture Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I), located at

Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasian, it is the Region I line agency of ATI which aims to
empower the farmers and fisherfolks so that they become more globally competitive.

Following the mission mentioned, the agency hosted the 1st Umaani Expo 2017 from
March 28 to March 31. The four-day event showcased Pangasian’s and other
neighboring provinces’ best agricultural products and modern farming technique which
led to the success of their business ventures. It was sponsored by Governor Amado I.
Espino.

The primary stakeholders in the event are the participants, majority of which are
from Pangasinan; secondary are the lecturers who are experts in the matter who came
from various places in the country and the exhibitors from their respective agencies.
Majority of the participants flocked on the first day where IEC materials from different
booths almost ran out, but their number dwindled in the following days.

The teaching-learning methods used in the event are: first, one-way lecture
discussion wherein resource speakers are discussing in front of diverse and big
audience in assembled stages; second, lecture with slides in conference rooms; third is
question and answer wherein clarifications are allowed because the number of listeners
is relatively lower; and fourth, demonstration wherein resource speakers teach the
participants how to use certain farm mechanization equipments. However, there are
speakers who use English and Iloco, languages that not everybody can relate or
understand.

The event was a good opportunity for a variety of people. It can help those who are
already engaged in the field of agriculture to learn new techniques and strategies to
increase their income and profit. It is also helpful to those are planning to venture into
the field for they can consult experts to give them advise according to the resources
around them. Development Communication practitioners can likewise improve their
interpersonal communication skills, development of IEC materials and event
organization.

II. Methodologies and Procures

The expo started with a thanksgiving mass at 8:00 A.M. of March 28 while it formally
opened with a message from Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol at
around 10:00. The afternoon session was a combination of the agribusiness forum and
cooking competition.

The second day was the Agew Na Umaani’y Pagey which revolved around forums
on rice technology, farm mechanization field demonstration, rice product contest and
fellowship with Umaani partner organizations and other rice stakeholders.

The third day is the Agew na Umaanid Tanaman which was a discussion on good
agricultural practices, pinakbet cooking contest, folk media competition and the
awarding of prizes.

The last day was the simultaneous Agew na Sumisgay Tan Manag-ayep and the
Agew na Manag-ayep. For the former, there were stakeholders’ forum among bangus
and tilapia growers, fish processors and municipal fishermen and contests on biggest
and heaviest freshwater and saltwater fishes and the awarding of prizes. For the latter,
there were livestock display exhibit, goat show, goat cooking contest, goat milk feeding,
dog show, livestock display and exhibit and the awarding of prizes.

There also some ice breakers in forms of games wherein speakers gave prizes to
the first person who answered the questions they asked. Other games include biik and
chicken catching. To add more entertainment, there are also dressed and decorated
animals such as carabaos and goats where people can take photos with.
 Exhibitors were awarded with certificates of appearance while the participants were
given certificates of participation in the in the closing program.

III. Results and Discussions

The 1st Umaani Expo 2017 was beneficial to different stakeholders; specifically those
have particular inclination to agriculture. It was like an introduction for the beginners and
an experience sharpener and additional information for their counterpart.

Looking at the program disseminated prior to the start of the program, it is noticeable
that it has been carried out according to plan, which is commendable in the part of the
organizers. Majority of the lecturers were also able to hold the participants’ attention
although they could have done better if they had connected better with them through
careful language selection.

In general, ATI-RTC I hosted a successful event that is true to their mission which is
to empower the farmers and improve their living.

IV. Conclusions

1. The 1st Umaani Expo 2017 combines informative, instructional and

entertaining teaching-learning techniques where participants will get the
agriculture related information they seek;

2. The entertainment aspect of the event helps the participants have a break
from some highly intellectual lectures and allows them to absorb more
information from the next speakers;

3. Demonstration on the use of certain modern farming machineries

encourages more learning since it gives them a more realistic and
operational experiences;
4. Some lecturers seemed not aware of the language preferences and
diversities among the participants; and

5. The holding of concurrent lectures was not a good idea since it divides the
interests of the participants as they cannot go to multiple discussions at
once;

V. Recommendations

1. Since the expo can provide long-term benefits to the economic stability of
the farmers, it should be continued or sustained in the coming next years
and;

2. There should be at least two to three minute ice breakers in between

speakers to prevent the participants from going home and miss important
points in the event; and

3. Speakers should be oriented on the common language that everybody

can understand.