BUTUAN CITY – In support of the government’s effort to modernize the coconut industry, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center XIII and the Philippine Coconut Authority – Caraga will host this year’s School-on-the Air (SOA) program on Coconut Production. This is in coordination with the Provincial Local Government Units in three provinces - Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the Province on Dinagat Islands (PDI) through the Provincial Agriculturist Office.

To lay out plans and schedules, the ATI through the Information Services Section spearheaded by ISS OIC Chief Mr. Jason Paul Dads E. Jampac, conducted the SOA briefings on the following dates:  April 12, 2024, at Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort and Hotel for Surigao del Norte; April 22, 2024, in San Jose, PDI; and, April 29, 2024 in Tagbina for the Surigao del Sur. The activity served as a venue for understanding the Program objectives, mechanics, course outline, and the roles and responsibilities of partner agencies.

The program intends to reach up to 500 coconut farmers and youth and provide them with updated information and technology in coconut production to increase their income and productivity. It will cover topics on Good Agricultural Practices, Hybridization, Pests and Diseases Management, Intercropping Technologies and Farm Animals Integration, Processing Technologies, and Farm Enterprise, including CFIDP overview and components.

As part of the agreement, the Resource Persons will be from the PCA, and some will be from the PLGU, particularly those who completed the specialist training courses on Coconut. SOA coordinators from the different Local Government Units will aid in implementing the program, ably assisted by the assigned Coconut Development Officer, while program anchors will be from the Provincial Agriculture Office.

The program is set to hit the airwaves on the first week of June first week and will run until September 2024.