SEC. 119. Creation of the Agricultural Productivity Commission.&mdashFor 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.
SEC. 120. Commissioner of the Agricultural Productivity Commission.&mdashThe 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 Agricultural Productivity Commissioner unless he be a holder of at least a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture 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.
SEC. 121. Powers and Duties.&mdashThe Agricultural Productivity Commissioner shall exercise the same powers and duties vested in the Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Extension.
SEC. 122. Division on Cooperatives.&mdashIn addition to the existing divisions of the Bureau of Agricultural 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.
SEC. 123. Recruitment, Selection and Training of Extension Workers.&mdashThe extension workers shall be recruited and selected from graduates of agricultural colleges 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.
SEC. 124. Functions of Extension Workers.&mdashIn 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 farmers, and to demonstrate improved farm 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 with 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 conduct educational activities that will acquaint leaseholders and other independent farm operators with their rights and responsibilities under this Code;
(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.
SEC. 125. Appropriation.&mdashIn 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.
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
