SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – In coordination with the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) of Surigao del Norte, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 13 will conduct the School on the Air (SOA) on Organic Agriculture Production starting this April 2022.

This is to intensify the promotion of Organic Agriculture in response to the RA 11511, as an amendment to RA 10068, declared the comprehensive government policy of the Philippines to promote and further develop the practice of organic agriculture (OA) in the country. To ensure that farmers, fisherfolks Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), students, and other agri-enthusiasts individuals can access the knowledge and information on technological developments, particularly in the agriculture sector. ATI will conduct SOA Program which uses the radio as its primary tool and medium in delivering information on agricultural technology developments to the farm masses.

During the coordination meeting between ATI-RTC XIII and PAO headed by Ruby Ann Lagahit, Provincial Agriculturist on March 23, 2022, Ms. Lagahit expressed her full support for the program and hopes for smooth conduct of its activities during its implementation.

Moreover, Maria Den B. Parro, Agriculturist I and project officer, presented the initial modules on OA production to be used for the whole broadcast duration. Resource Persons will come from the PAO and the Provincial Agriculture and Veterinary Office (PVO).

The SOA on OA is set to air in May to September this year with 550 target enrollees. Its briefing will be on April 19, 2022. It will be participated by the Municipal Agriculturists and OA coordinators in the province. Here, target enrollees per locality will be defined along with their respective roles and responsibilities.

Moreover, this SOA is funded under the Organic Agriculture Program with Elena M. Baquiano as ATI-RTC XIII OA point person.