PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – Participated by the 14 Local Government Units of the province of Agusan del Sur, 535 enrollees composed of farmers, students, and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) completed the School-on-the-Air on Corn Production dubbed as “Wais sa Mais” on November 18, 2022 held at the Naliyagan Grounds.

Specifically, the number of graduates per municipality was: Loreto – 40, Rosario - 34, San Francisco - 40, La Paz - 40, Bunawan - 40, Bayugan City - 40, Trento - 40, Esperanza - 40, Prosperidad - 40, Sibagat - 40, San Luis - 31, Veruela - 30, Sta. Josefa - 40, and Talacogon - 40.

The SOA on Corn Production aims to intensify and strengthen the promotion of corn production in the target province and to contribute to food sufficiency. This also wants to address the problems and information needs of the participants in terms of producing corn.

It was heard over 93.5 FM Hope Radio Philippines Butuan every Thursday at 5:30-6:30 in the morning for 16 episodes. It started last June 9 to September 22, 2022. It was anchored by Joel B. Corvera and the resource persons were Jessamine Vea, Elena Bausing, Nila Estrada, Lufe Escuyos, and Nuymie Nuyad.

Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr. emphasized during his message the technology gap between the Philippines and other countries like Thailand. He encourages the graduates to listen and apply the knowledge they have gained through resource persons. And if they need assistance on their farms, the municipal and provincial agriculture are there to extend help. Soil analysis is ready to those who needs it to help them apply the nutrients that are needed by the plants. Further, he urge the parents to encourage their children to take up agriculture-related courses and not to look down to the course since this is the one that feeds the nation.

All graduates received their certificate of completion and t-shirt. All top one from the LGUs received one chargeable knapsack sprayer each while the top two got one pair of rubber field boots. The top 3 received one piece of raincoat each.

Roldan Pastor, one of the graduates from Loreto, Agusan del Sur shared, “I am very thankful to be a part of this SOA. I learned a lot and got updated information through the speakers from the land preparation, choosing the right variety of seeds, pests and diseases management, to harvesting and marketing. Even though I have to wake up early in the morning, it was all worth it because I gained a lot. May this SOA program continue until the next years.”