DSSC SIP Form No.

11

NARRATIVE REPORT

Introduction

My on-the-job training at the Office of the City Agriculturist (OCAG) proved to

be a fantastic and fulfilling experience as I set out on a road of practical study
and professional development. I thank the entity above all of us for leading me
into this government sector. I haven’t thought nor wish to be at this sector, yet
I regret none but instead jovial over the course of my time to be part of the
said sector.

As an overview of the field, I was sent out to the Office of the City
Agriculturist, a sector of the Local Government Unit prior to serving and
initiating programs for the agricultural aspect in locality. While it serves as a
single sector in the local aspect, it is still under by the Department of
Agriculture Regional Office in which all programs revolve and are being
initiated to their local governing sector.

Primarily, the Office of the City Agriculturist consists of 6 departments

(section). Namely Engineering department, Fishery department, Rice
department, High Value Crop Development Program, Organic department and
Cassava and Corn department. With these particular departments, tasks are
divided in accordance with their respective crops assigned by each
department. They seek to provide good service to local farmers in Digos City
and also initiate programs that engage local farmers to advance and apply
mechanization and or new practices that helps/aid their farming methods.

Being able to participate in the different programs they initiated for local
farmers was a great experience for me as a trainee. The comprehensiveness
of OCAG serves as the backbone of sustainable local farming that gradually
engaged into modern practices of farming but doesn’t purposely contradict old
methods but rather helps improve local farmers. Bu contributing mechanized
equipment to filed testing of new variety of crops and newly founded practices
and improvement for sustainable farming, the Office of the City Agriculturist
managed to create a bond between local farmer and able to perform their job
well.

In retrospectively, I can see how my on-the-job training in the Office of

the City Agriculturist was a life-changing experience that had a lasting impact
on both my professional and personal development. I have developed a
profound respect for all aspects of agricultural techniques and the crucial part
they play in forming communities and cultures courtesy to the immersion
experiences, mentorship, and hands-on learning. While my time at the City
Agriculturist's Office was marked by invaluable knowledge and skill
acquisition, it is important to acknowledge that there is no journey without its
share of challenges. The infrastructure limitations and the occasional lack of
modern tools were reminders that continuous improvement and adaptation
are essential for progress in any field.

This 180-hour internship, though it’s too short to turn our practices in
our profession into real practice in the real world: we still get what we long for.
While this limited hour has its end, I surely miss every opportunity to be part of
OCAG community.

Looking ahead, I am filled with a sense of purpose and determination

to carry forward the lessons learned during this training. I aspire to contribute
to the realm of agriculture by integrating traditional wisdom with modern
advancements, thereby fostering a harmonious coexistence between
humanity and nature.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the mentors, colleagues,

and everyone at the City Agriculturist's Office who made this training an
enriching experience. Their guidance, support, and dedication have been
instrumental in shaping my journey. This narrative report stands not only as a
documentation of my training but also as a testament to the boundless
potential that lies at the crossroads of learning and application.

As I step into the next phase of my professional journey, I am excited

to apply the insights gained and continue cultivating a holistic understanding
of agriculture. With unwavering enthusiasm, I am determined to contribute to
the sustainable development of agricultural practices, nurturing the seeds of
progress sown during these invaluable training periods.

Thank you and I hope to see myself working with the rest of the Office
of the City Agriculturist Office in way sooner and time bounded by God
Almighty.

Duties and Responsibilities

While the experience was overwhelmingly positive, it is important to

critically evaluate the premises within which the training took place. This
narrative report not only highlights the invaluable insights gained but also
presents a balanced perspective that includes an assessment of the facilities,
resources, and potential areas for improvement observed during the training
period.

RICE SECTION

Under the supervision of Sir Ryan Bustamante Arg, we had a good

start on our internship as we start the very first day on June 27, 2023, with
conducive agricultural machinery driving. Namely Tractor ( 4WD) and
Combine rice Harvester. I learned how to drive especially given that the
Davao del Sur State College doesn’t have those machines. Learning to drive
that equipment is vital for understanding how and what are the fundamentals
of that machinery.

Other than that, we’ve been into the actual rice field and observe how
walk-behind transplanter work. While there are quite a few complications that
happened when it was operated, I observe quite a few limitations that the
equipment needs to be modified for. The rice transplanter doesn’t work well
with deep mud or too much water in a specific field.

Furthermore, the mechanics where the depth at which rice seedling fall
into is not that long enough to penetrate rice seedling properly. Still needs to
be modified on that equipment.
 Alongside observing how the transplanter works, we also subjected to
manual transplanting which we are task to manually transplant a single field.
Transplanting isn’t that easy, manual or mechanized both fall into a lot of hard
work. Mechanized transplanter has a bit of advantage but not that far enough
to manual.

By observing and asking a few questions, I learned that walk-behind

transplanter works. Usually, it can be planted with a hill-to-hill distance of 12-
21 centimeters (about 8.27 in) with a minimum of 4 rows and usually operated
by a single person. With around 1.5 hectare per day, a big difference to
manual which took around 20 persons to finish a hectare of rice field.

Rice seedling needs to be 2-3 weeks to mature before transferring it to

the field. While it took around 110-130 days (depending on its variety) before
it will be harvested.

I appreciated all the effort that Sir Ryan made for us; from food to
safety to basics and teaching us fundamentals in his section. There’s nothing
to be critical of nor recommendation but to keep up the good work he’s been
doing till the next batch of OJT’s. By that, we thank you a lot of Sir Ryan
Bustamante.

FISHERIES SECTION

Headed by Miss Engr. Kristy Dela Pena, this section as well made us
contemplate how local fishery farming is.

On July 6, 2023; we’ve been deployed early in the morning on

Sinawilan, Digos City. We are tasked to observe how fish farmers do daily in
their fish cages and ask about anything but fish farming, particularly Milk-Fish
production. I learned that as much as we’re into rice fields, living and making
a sustainable source of income in the marines is as hard as it gets.

There are a lot of Fish Cages in Sinawilan Digos City that I lost count
on it, but I notice 2 different types of fish cage. The local type which is made
up of bamboo and the Norwegian type which basically an improved and most
economical in terms of long-term finance.
 Local type which made up of bamboo are the most common on
Sinawilan Digos City, and quite a few Norwegian Type. Based on what I
learned, there are approximately 10,000-12,000 fish heads in a single cage
(8-10m x 8-10m) with a minimum depth of the cage at 5m on seabed. Feeding
pattern is subjective, which turn out to be dependent on the fish weigh or
sizes, but feeding pattern is in

succession of 4 hours.

Considering the finance on a single fish cage, it is around 500,000

pesos from fingerlings to harvest. Which is a big amount of money and
therefore it’s a risk considering that we don’t know how seas most of the time.
But so far there is no recorded incidence other than stealing(rumored) on
some fish cages.

Considering the economic value as well on Milkfish production and as

well the source of income for hard labor farmers who feed their specific cages
every day, it is a sector which needs greater attention.

Well in fact, the fish landing is a good initiative from the local government. It is
in fact beneficial to the fisherfolks but however, it doesn’t function yet when
we arrived there. I mean, other than fish-landing there are unfinish works.

So far, I see no other issues regarding the fish landing. Ultimately, it’s
clear that the marine aquaculture in Sinawilan Digos is polluted. In fact, in
every corner there is biological waste from garbage and even non-
biodegradable waste. A thing that the local government should pay attention
to.

Even a simple coastal clean-up once a month will do for sure to simply
eradicate and clean it. Simply making law with no further action means
nothing, a coastal community clean and less polluted.

ENGINEERING SECTION

Headed by Miss Engr. Cristinflor Dela Cruz, we do not have much field
experience in her field due to her time too. Considering that she’s into
different seminars and training. But we still have an on-field check of different
walk-behind transplanters given to farmer associations here in Digos City.

Instead, we are tasked to make a developmental plan (attached in

collaboration to these files) and to check 3 times a day the Agrometer and
monitor it on daily basis. While she’s on seminar, we with Sir Ryan
supervision checked the new equipment given to the Davao del Sur State
College. A Rotary Shredder and a Composter which came from the Regional
Office (DA).

Which is almost worth a million pesos, a thing that DSSC should be

thankful for to have such expensive equipment. Prior to legal practice in
checking the equipment, in my own opinion, it wasn’t that efficient considering
that the composter runs on electricity at high power. Well in fact it took a lot of
trials to make it work or dry run.

The digester works with around 1ton and usually can work 8 hours a
day and will take 40 hours to completely compost any compost materials. The
shredder works well but produces a lot of dust, which I could tell is not
shredder anymore but pulverizes instead.

ORGANIC and HVCDP

While I spent of the days to previous sections, I’ve been into office
works with High Value Crops and Development Program and some packing of
different seeds to be given by anyone who wanted to do backyard farming in
locality.

While previous sections are intensive, HVCDP allows us to rest given that we
spent most of our days on field under the heat of the sun. But in the
meantime, we are tasked to do office work including computer work and
paperwork.

Along with organic section, packing and re-bagging prior for plant
cultivation. We spent our days in the organic section re-bagging and
repacking compost materials. We re-bag about 800 pieces and while some of
us spent on cleaning the area. Particularly separating a dying seedling of
coconut.
While there are no more office works in the OCAG, we make use of the time
to practice for our intermission number prior for the convocation headed by
the OCAG sector. It turned out to be successful and we are proud to provide a
simple intermission dance number during the convocation program.

In celebration with Padigosan as well, the Office of the City Agriculturist

along with us OJTs spent the day to experience Padigosan at first hand. This
as well turned out to be a successful celebration. In fact, in connection to the
convocation program; the City Mayor of Digos honorable Josef Fortich Cagas
is happy to every accomplishment that the Office of the City Agriculturist have.
Which a concluding statement for the city mayor to open up a more and
diverse program offered to OCAG.

Reflecting upon my narrative report detailing my on-the-job training

experience at the Office of the City Agriculturist (OCAG), I am pleased to
recognize the alignment of my practical experiences with the theoretical
knowledge gained from my coursework.

Throughout my report, I successfully applied concepts from my courses, such

as "Agricultural Sustainable Practices" and "Rural Development Strategies," to
the real-world scenarios I encountered at OCAG. These concepts helped me
appreciate the intricate relationship between sustainable agricultural
techniques and the socio-economic development of local communities. For
instance, my observation of OCAG's initiatives to engage local farmers in
advancing mechanization aligned with the principles I learned about
optimizing agricultural productivity through modern practices.

My engagement in the Rice, Fisheries, Engineering, Organic, and HVCDP

sections allowed me to apply theories of "Agronomy and Crop Science" to
understand the complexities of rice cultivation and the challenges faced by
fish farmers. The experience broadened my appreciation for the
interdisciplinary nature of agriculture and its intersection with environmental
science and engineering.

In terms of self-assessment, I positioned my performance between 3 to 4 out

of 5. This rating is influenced by concepts of self-efficacy and continuous
improvement from my "Professional Development" course. Acknowledging
areas where I excelled and identifying opportunities for growth aligns with the
self-assessment strategies we discussed in class.

Upon reviewing my report, I recognize areas where I could have integrated

more theoretical frameworks. Expanding on how the challenges I faced during
the training align with theories of "Organizational Behavior" and "Change
Management" could have enriched my analysis of the infrastructure limitations
and need for adaptation.

In conclusion, my narrative report not only showcases my practical

engagement at OCAG but also reflects my integration of theoretical
knowledge acquired from courses such as "Agricultural Economics" and
"Environmental Science." The alignment of theory and practice underscores
my commitment to a holistic understanding of agriculture. As I move forward, I
aspire to synthesize my theoretical foundations with real-world applications,
fostering a harmonious coexistence between agricultural development and
sustainable practices.

In conclusion, I would rate my performance within the range of 3 to 4

out of 5. I truly appreciate the challenges that have come my way, as they
have allowed me to stretch and grow in ways that I might not have imagined.
While there is always room for improvement and learning, I am satisfied with
the progress I've made and the dedication I've shown to facing those
challenges head-on. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue embracing new
opportunities for growth and development.

Self-Analysis

Upon reflecting on my narrative report detailing my on-the-job training

experience at the Office of the City Agriculturist (OCAG), I am pleased to
recognize the growth and insights I have gained throughout this journey.

In reviewing my report, I am particularly satisfied with the level of commitment

I maintained during the training. My descriptions of each section, including
Rice, Fisheries, Engineering, Organic, and HVCDP, showcase my active
involvement and keen observation. I successfully conveyed the intricacies of
each department's operations and their impact on local agriculture.

I'm pleased with my self-awareness in assessing my performance, which I

placed between 3 to 4 out of 5. This rating indicates my willingness to
acknowledge both my accomplishments and areas for improvement. My
emphasis on embracing challenges underscores my dedication to learning
and personal development.

Additionally, I am content with how I expressed gratitude towards mentors and

colleagues at OCAG. This demonstrates my recognition of the importance of
guidance and collaboration in the learning process. Furthermore, my
recognition of the need for continuous improvement and adaptation in any
field showcases my realistic perspective.

However, upon reviewing my report, I realize there are a few areas for
improvement. I could have expanded on the specific skills I acquired and the
lessons I learned during each section of the training. Sharing more about how
these experiences connect to my academic and career aspirations would
have provided a more holistic view of my growth.

In conclusion, I am proud of the detailed and insightful narrative report I've

compiled about my OCAG training experience. It highlights my engagement,
positive attitude towards challenges, and commitment to learning. This report
not only serves as a documentation of my training but also as a personal
testament to my dedication to pursuing a meaningful career in agriculture.

Evaluation of the Program

I am deeply grateful to both the Office of the City Agriculturist (OCAG) and
Davao del Sur State College (DSSC) for affording me the privilege to immerse
myself in the practical realities of agricultural development within the local
government sector. This experience has illuminated the power of bridging
academia and practical application, allowing me to witness firsthand the
tangible impact of the theoretical knowledge I've acquired during my studies.
OCAG's unwavering commitment to empowering local farmers and promoting
sustainable practices has left an indelible mark on me. The dedication of the
staff and their comprehensive approach to agricultural development have
inspired me to pursue a career path that not only values innovation but also
respects the traditions that have shaped our agricultural heritage.

DSSC's role in facilitating this opportunity is equally commendable. By

opening doors for students like me to engage with real-world challenges and
solutions, the college fosters an environment of experiential learning that goes
beyond the confines of the classroom. The alignment of DSSC's values with
OCAG's mission has allowed me to thrive in an environment that encourages
growth, collaboration, and meaningful contributions.

Looking ahead, I am enthusiastic about the prospect of leveraging the insights

gained from this training to further bridge the gap between theory and
practice. As I step into the next phase of my academic journey, I will carry the
lessons learned from OCAG and DSSC with me, striving to contribute
meaningfully to the field of agriculture and sustainable development.
Name: JEFREY M. BUTIL
Adress: Tienda Aplaya, Digos City
E-mail Add: jefroxbutil@gmail.com
Phone No.: 0938 590 7972
August 16, 2023

Office of the City Agriculturist

Lim-Bataan St. Brgy. Zone 3, Digos City

Dear Office of the City Agriculturist,

The depth of my gratitude extends to the heart of OCAG's commitment
to sustainable agricultural practices and community welfare. Your dedication
to fostering an environment where modern innovation and traditional wisdom
harmoniously coexist is truly commendable. Witnessing the initiatives to
engage local farmers in the adoption of mechanization while maintaining
respect for their traditional methods has inspired me deeply. This holistic
approach reflects the core values of OCAG and resonates with my own
aspirations to contribute positively to the agricultural sector.

The passion and expertise that each member of the OCAG team brings to
their respective roles have been instrumental in shaping my understanding of
the intricate dynamics within the agricultural domain. Your collective
willingness to share insights, answer questions, and provide guidance have
made my learning experience incredibly enriching. It is a testament to OCAG's
commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural professionals.

As I reflect on my narrative report and self-analysis, I am reminded of the

transformative journey I embarked on during my training period. The
challenges I encountered, the knowledge I gained, and the relationships I built
have all left an indelible mark on my growth. I am excited to carry forward the
valuable lessons learned from OCAG as I continue to pursue a career that
aligns with your organization's ethos.

Thank you once again for the privilege of being a part of OCAG. Your
generosity in sharing your expertise, the openness with which you embraced
me into your team, and the opportunity to immerse myself in real-world
agricultural practices are gifts that I will cherish as I progress in my academic
and professional journey.

With profound appreciation and warm regards,

JEFREY M. BUTIL
OJT Trainee