Central Visayas – Two Thousand Three Hundred Eighty (2,380) participants from all over the region completed the School-on-the-Air on Smart Rice Agriculture (SOA-SRA) which was aired over DYHP 612 KHz RMN Cebu and simultaneously mainstreamed at the Agricultural Training Institute-VII (ATI-7) Facebook Official page from July 17, 2023 to September 01, 2023 at 4:00-4:30 AM.
In order to achieve food security and better lives, SOA-SRA seeks to teach and implement climate-smart rice technology among the region's rice farmers. It is also well recognized that radio is a cheap and efficient learning tool. It is acknowledged as the main news source and the most widely used, convincing, and reliable communication medium, especially for vulnerable populations and distant areas, thus the SOA-SRA.
Topics discussed include modules on Rice Tarrification and Liberalization, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Financial Risk Mechanism, Technologies on Rice Production to Post-Harvest, and Marketing. Pools of speakers were Felix Tubiano, Science Research Specialist –II (SRS II) of the Department of Agriculture - Bohol Agriculture Promotion Center (DA-BAPC); Jason Care Parina, SRS-I of PhilRice; Christian Owen Vallejos, Team Head/Insurance Underwriter and Melanie Jabel, Acting Insurance Underwriter of Philippines Crop Insurance Corporation; Cecile Opada, SRS II of BAPC; and Reynadez Curayag, Agriculturist I of ATI-7, respectively.
Recognizing the efforts of the enrollees/listeners, ATI-7 chose Top 3 graduates per province based on highest scores from post-test/exams. Winners for the province of Bohol were the following: Ma Fe Buno (Top1); Susan Baga (Top 2) & Luz Evardo (Top 3). For the province of Negros Oriental: Rotilla Alcantara (Top 1); Norma Guevarra (Top 2); Dorie Verbo (Top 3) while from Argao, Cebu: Juvelyn Senining (Top 1); Concepcion Manila (Top 2); Nerissa Binag (Top 3). For Lazi, Siquijor were: Christy Mae Tome (Top 1); Jocelyn Baguis (Top 2); Mila Lalem (Top 3). Each winner was given cellphone and medals as an award. Further, lucky texters also received 100 worth of load and after training support to all graduates.
Doris Isabel Racho of the ATI-7 Information Section served as the project officer assisted by Shanemie Carelle Pradera who also acted as Anchor with Ms. Jolina Dano of DA- 7 as co-anchor during the 21 Episodes. Limuel Pattrick Borbano and Rosmalyn Pusta of ATI-7 also joined as support staff.
The SOA-SRA is a collaboration of the ATI-7 and DA- 7. Partner agencies like PIA, PCIC & PhilRice supported the program. Graduation rites per province were concluded on September 18 at Brgy. Panubigan, Canlaon City; September 20 at Brgy Tulic, Argao, Cebu; September 26 at Ubay Gym, Ubay, Bohol & September 28 at Lazi Social Center, Lazi, Siquijor.
“Daghan ta ug nakat-onan sa atoang pagmata-mata sa kadlawon sa atong School-on-the-Air. Kalipay nato ni mga farmers. Salamat kaninyo mga maam ug sir sa paghatag sa amoa og chance na ma apil ani na programa. Salamat sa atoang mga resource speakers. Amoang e apply og unsa amoang nakat-unan labi na sa palay check system. Hinaot inyong ipadayon ang suporta sa mga mag-uuma. Makasalig mi na naa mi kadoolan mga farmers sa panahon sa mga kakulian. Daghan kaayong salamat.’ said Rotilla S. Alcantara, one of the SOA-SRA graduates.
