"Socio-Demographic Profile, Roles, and Challenges of Agrikulturang Makamasa Barangay Extension Technicians (AMBETs) in Corn Technology Extension Services in District 2, Davao Oriental"

Corn is a vital crop in District 2, Davao Oriental, sustaining food security and rural livelihoods. To strengthen technology transfer, the Department of Agriculture institutionalized Agrikulturang Makamasa Barangay Extension Technicians (AMBETs) under the Agrikulturang Makamasa Program (1998–1999). Their mandate is grounded in Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), with local ordinances and resolutions further legitimizing their roles and prescribing incentive guidelines. Despite these legal and political frameworks, limited systematic evaluation has been conducted of their effectiveness in disseminating corn technology. This study determined the socio-demographic profile, roles, and challenges of AMBETs in delivering corn technology extension services in District 2, Davao Oriental. A descriptive design was employed using survey questionnaires administered to 57 AMBETs selected through stratified random sampling across five municipalities. Data were analyzed through frequency distributions and weighted means. Furthermore, the results revealed that AMBETs are predominantly aged 55 and above (45.61%), male (64.91%), and married (78.95%), with modest educational attainment—most being high school graduates (54.39%). Nearly half (47.37%) have 7 or more years of experience in extension and corn technology. All are employed under honorarium-based arrangements, earning ₱1,000–₱3,000 per month, released quarterly, with incentives mainly from LGUs. On the other hand, the roles performed strongly include monitoring/reporting (WM = 4.36), administrative duties (WM = 4.35), and extension/training (WM = 4.23), while community engagement was moderately effective (WM = 4.05). In addition, then challenges include resource and logistical constraints (WM = 3.25), farmer receptiveness (WM = 3.08), low compensation affecting motivation (WM = 2.85), insufficient training (WM = 2.83), and political factors such as budget limitations, partisan influence, and uneven incentive distribution. To conclude, AMBETs are experienced, trusted grassroots extension workers who play a critical role in disseminating corn technology. However, systemic issues—aging demographics, limited education, inadequate training, precarious employment, low compensation, and political constraints—undermine their sustainability and effectiveness. Strengthening institutional support, depoliticizing incentive distribution, and enhancing training and compensation structures are essential to sustain AMBET-led agricultural development.