On September 10, 1976, a group of newsmen and information writers formed the Philippine Agriculture Journalists Inc. Its main goal then was to unite and strengthen the natural ties among agricultural writers and communicators in the country. PAJ was also organized to improve the craft and standards of journalism by launching in 1978 the annual “BINHI Agricultural Journalism Awards.” Other projects followed such as seminar-workshops, fora and field trips. By late 1980, PAJ hosted the Asian Agricultural Journalists and Writers Association (AAJWA) Conference in Manila. It was attended by delegates from Japan, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysian and some members of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) from the United States, Germany and Ireland. Although AAJWA has turned dormant, PAJ has maintained links with IFAJ. In the light of global agricultural trade issues in the GATT and Uruguay Round Talks, PAJ believes it is important to maintain linkages with international organizations. PAJ has evolved from a social club mainly for the welfare of its members into an organization now imbued with social goals and responsibilities. It has taken an advocacy position towards sustainable development and a rural-based development strategy as the shortest and cheapest but ironic route to industrialization. PAJ is now expanding and building chapters in the regions and provinces. It also publishes a regular “PAJ News Service,” which serves as an outlet for Metro Manila journalists, countryside-based respondents, writers and communicators connected with research institutions, agricultural colleges, agencies and various agriculture-based NGOs and industry associations. With the thrust towards countryside development, devolution and decentralization, PAJ believes it could serve as the most effective conduit to information dissemination in the countryside and play a crucial role in the advocacy towards policy reforms and in strengthening the democratic institutions and interaction among the major actors in rural development.
