Objective
- Provides guidelines to DA officials and employees for engaging farmers, fisherfolk, livestock and poultry raisers, RIC, 4-H Club members, and devolved agriculturists as partners.
- Aims to achieve AFMA objectives following the guiding principles.
Definitions and Scope of Participation
- Farmers: Small farmers as defined by RA 7607, including various agricultural producers earning at least 50% income from farming activities.
- Fisherfolk: Individuals personally engaged in fish taking, culture, and processing as per EO 240 IRR.
- Livestock and Poultry Raisers: Farmers engaged in raising livestock and poultry.
- Farmers/Fisherfolk Associations: Groups composed of farmers, fisherfolk, livestock and poultry raisers.
- Rural Improvement Club (RIC): Associations of rural women focused on family welfare, community leadership, women's empowerment, and entrepreneurship.
- 4-H Club: Registered NGOs of farm youths aged 12-30 years, engaged in agricultural projects promoting self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
- Also covers recognized organizations of agricultural professionals: PAPCA and DAP.
Organization and Composition
- Abolishes the Revitalization Committee created under AO 12.
- Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) designated as National Secretariat and overall coordinator.
- ATI Director to coordinate with DA-RFU Coordinators and national presidents of relevant associations/clubs.
- DA-RFUs serve as Regional Secretariat headed by Regional Executive Directors and designated Regional Coordinators.
- Provincial and Municipal Coordinators appointed by Governors or Mayors to assist in planning, project implementation, cooperative formation, and linkage facilitation.
- Coordinator positions require relevant educational background or training to align with the associations'/clubs' orientation.
Sustaining Activities and Support Projects
- DA provides interventions including:
- Training on work values, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
- Financial and material support for:
- Consultative meetings of officers and leaders.
- Farm Family Forums and Achievement Days at various levels.
- DA-initiated livelihood and socio-economic projects.
- On-the-job trainings and observation tours.
- Inter-agency programs such as Kabataan 2002, BIDANI, and Population Education.
Fund Support
- DA budget allocates line item funding starting CY 2002 for quarterly distribution to Regional Field Units (RFUs).
- Fund allocation proportionate to number of provinces per region, capped at Php 3 million per year for the region with the most provinces.
- Livelihood project funding sourced from the initiative of the associations/clubs.
Coordination with Local Government Units
- Implementation shall be coordinated with LGUs under existing Memoranda of Agreement between DA, DILG, and leagues of local government officials.
Applicability of Associations/Clubs Constitution and By-Laws
- Each association/club continues to be governed by its own Constitution and By-Laws in conduct of activities.
Effectivity
- Guidelines effective immediately upon approval (April 15, 2002).
- Revokes AO No. 12 dated July 12, 1996, and other inconsistent issuances.