ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat, September 24, 2024 – Over 342 farmers from the municipalities of Isulan, President Quirino, Columbio, Esperanza, and Bagumbayan gathered at the Provincial Gymnasium of Sultan Kudarat for their Mass Graduation Ceremony after completing the School-on-the-Air (SOA) program on Coconut Production and Processing under the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
The ceremony marked the culmination of a season-long learning journey, which ran from July 8 to August 29, 2024, and was broadcasted through 91.1 FM Max FM Tacurong City and 105.1 FM Radio Natin Lebak. The program imparted valuable knowledge on coconut farming, equipping participants with essential techniques in crop management, pest and disease control, post-harvest handling, and value-adding practices.
The event was graced by notable officials including the Provincial Agriculturist of Sultan Kudarat Ms. Estela Hallegado, OIC-Center Director of the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center XII Dr. Jessie V. Beldia, Municipal Agriculturist of Bagumbayan Mr. Emmanuel Asug, and representatives from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) both at the provincial and regional levels. Their presence underscored the importance of the program in advancing agricultural development in the region specifically in the coconut industry.
In her welcome message, Provincial Agriculturist Estela Hallegado lauded the farmers for their dedication and hard work throughout the program. She emphasized the importance of continuously improving coconut production to ensure the sustainability and profitability of the industry, benefiting the economy of Sultan Kudarat. She also mentioned that coconut is one of the priority commodities of the Provincial Government aside from coffee. 
Selected farmers from each municipality were awarded for their outstanding performance during the program. Additionally, Certificates of Appreciation were given to SOA Coordinators and resource persons who contributed to the program’s successful implementation.
The event also included a response from Mr. John Lord Auman, Information Officer II of ATI-RTC XII, who expressed the institute's commitment to providing continuous learning opportunities to farmers.
The graduates were formally presented by Ms. Hannadi Guiamad-Pompong, Chief of the Information Services Section at ATI-RTC XII, and were confirmed by Dr. Jessie V. Beldia, who delivered the keynote message.
The ceremony concluded with a closing message from Mr. Greg Arellaga, Division Chief I of PCA-Sultan Kudarat, who reiterated the agency's dedication to supporting coconut farmers in their ongoing journey of growth and development highlighting the valuable efforts of each agencies in the implementation of CFIDP.
The SOA on CFIDP represents a major initiative aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of coconut farmers, empowering them to adopt innovative farming techniques, and contribute to the agricultural development of their communities. With the completion of this program, the farmers are now better equipped to improve their production practices and livelihood outcomes, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for the coconut industry in Sultan Kudarat.
This event not only celebrates the achievement of individual farmers but also highlights the collaborative effort of various government agencies in promoting agricultural education on air.