Code of Agrarian Reforms

Section 119

For the purpose of accelerating progressive improvement in the productivity of farms, the advancement of farmers and the strengthening of existing agricultural extension services through the consolidation of all/promotional, educational and informational activities pertaining to agriculture, the present Bureau of Agricultural Extension of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources is hereby placed directly under the executive supervision and control of the President and hereinafter renamed Agricultural Productivity Commission. Upon the effectivity of this Code, the Agricultural Tenancy Commission of the Department of Justice, together with its powers, duties, responsibilities, files, records supplies, equipment, personnel and unexpended balance of appropriations, is hereby placed under the Agricultural Productivity Commission as a separate office thereof.

Section 120

The Agricultural Productivity Commission shall be administered by an Agricultural Productivity Commissioner who shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments and who shall have a compensation of sixteen thousand pesos per annum. No person shall be appointed as a Agricultural Productivity Commissioner unless he be a holder of at least a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural from a reputable school or college of agriculture and shall have practiced agriculture for at least five years, and who is of recognized competence in agricultural economics or any of its equivalents.

Section 121

The Agricultural Productivity Commissioner shall exercise the same powers and duties vested in the Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Extension.

Section 122

In addition to the existing divisions of the Bureau of Agriculture Extension, herein renamed as Agricultural Productivity Commission, there shall be a Division of Cooperatives and such other divisions and sections as the Agricultural Productivity Commissioner may deem necessary to organize in order to carry out the promotional and educational activities of the Commission.

Section 123

The extension workers shall be recruited and selected from graduates of agricultural college with adequate practical experience and training in actual crop, tree, poultry and livestock farming: Provided, however, That in the event there are no graduates of agricultural colleges available, graduates of agricultural high schools may be temporarily employed. Training of extension workers shall be done in conjunction with research institutions to insure their maximum efficiency.

Section 124

In addition to their functions under Republic Act Numbered six hundred eighty, it shall be the duty of extension workers: (1) To reside in the locality where they are assigned, to disseminate technical information to farm families, and to demonstrate improved farm and home management practices and techniques; (2) To work with individual farmers in farm planning and budgeting, guide them in the proper conduct of farm business and work out schedules of re-payment of loans obtained by farmers; (3) To assist farmers in securing the services or assistance of other agencies, or their personnel, having to do relevant activities and problems of farmers; (4) To visit newly-established independent farm operators either singly or collectively at least once a month; (5) To promote and stimulate the growth and development of the youth towards improved farm and home management practices and techniques, as well as the development of their skills for small-scale industries and the like; (6) To encourage the formation and growth of private associations, study clubs, committees and other organized groups of farmers, familiarize them with modern methods of farming and interest them to actively participate, collaborate or take the initiative in agricultural research, experimentation and implementation of projects in cooperation with the Agricultural Productivity Commission and other agencies; and (7) To promote, stimulate and assist in the organization of farmers' cooperatives, including multi-purpose cooperatives. (Amendments to RA No. 3844 (Agricultural Land Reform Code), Republic Act No. 6389, [September 10, 1971])

Section 125

In addition to the funds herein transferred, there is hereby appropriated from the general funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated the sum of five million pesos, or so much thereof as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Chapter.