SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – After the 10-week airing of lecture discussions, 729 coconut farmers across the region graduated from the “School-on-the-Air (SOA) on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Coconut” of the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) CALABARZON.
On Friday, October 4, coconut farmers and farming enthusiasts from 11 participating local government units (LGUs), guests, and key officials from partner agencies convened at San Pablo Multipurpose and Convention Center to celebrate the crucial role of coconut in providing lucrative ventures and improving rural lives.
Dubbed as “Masaganang Coco-buhayan: Radyo Eskwela sa Pagniniyugan,” the program aims to train participants on effective and efficient coconut farming strategies or GAP and ultimately strengthen the coconut industry in CALABARZON by highlighting its potential as a sustainable livelihood and innovative enterprise for farmers.
“Marami po kaming natutunan mula Episode 1 hanggang Episode 20. Talaga pong punong-puno ng karunungan ang aming kaisipan at talaga pong ito’y aming pagyayamanin at amin pong ibabahagi pa sa aming mga kasamahan. Ang hiling ko lang po marami pa po tayong maturuan ng tamang pagtatanim, lalo na po ang mga kabataan na susunod sa amin,” said in his impression by Mr. Carlito Enriquez Jr., a graduate from Agoncillo, Batangas.
Meanwhile, Mr. Francisco Rubio, a successful entrepreneur from Quezon and the founder of Green Life Coconut Products Philippines Inc. (GreenLife), served as the keynote speaker—inspiring fellow coconut farmers and farming enthusiasts to continue innovating coconut products and succeed in this venture.
Mr. Bibiano Concibido, Jr. (PCA IV-A Regional Manager III), Engr. Remelyn Recoter (ATI Director IV), Sen. Cynthia Villar (Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food), and Dr. Rolando Maningas (ATI CALABARZON Center Director) also delivered a message of support for the completers.
(WATCH: SOA GAP for Coconut Graduation Ceremony) - https://fb.watch/v5TjDmQhXe/
The SOA program aired 20 episodes from June 19 - August 23, 2024, on partner radio stations 106.3 Radyo Natin Laguna, 92.7 Spirit FM Infanta, 102.5 Radyo Natin BonPen, and via YouTube channel and Facebook page of DA-ATI CALABARZON.
This was participated by 11 LGUs across the region, namely Magallanes, Cavite; Agoncillo, Batangas; Tanay, Rizal; Luisiana, Magdalena, and San Pablo City in Laguna; and Atimonan, Mulanay, Padre Burgos, Gen, Nakar, and Real in Quezon)
Topics covered include Site Selection and Management, Field Layout and Planting, Planting and Replanting of Damaged Palms, Farm Maintenance, Farm Diversification, and Harvesting and Postharvest Handling, based on the Philippine National Standard (PNS) Code of GAP for coconut.
The 20 episodes were delivered by radio teachers from a pool of coconut specialists and subject matter specialists from various attached agencies and bureaus under DA, particularly the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region IV-A.
In the course of the program, ATI CALABARZON administered various quizzes and tests to assess participants’ knowledge and understanding.
Still under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) and in collaboration with the PCA IV-A, this is the second time the ATI CALABARZON implemented the SOA program dedicated to the coconut industry after its pilot implementation last year.
News by: Archie Linsasagin
