The School-on-the-Air on Smart Rice Agriculture (SOA SRA) is a radio-based distance learning program targeting provinces with <4 t/ha yields. It aims to create awareness and impart knowledge on smart-rice technologies, and to educate the farmers on using integrated crop management for rice production.

It was launched last August 22, 2022, via live radio broadcast at DXFL 88.9 Dipolog City and simulcast at DXSZ 97.7 RCFM Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, which was aired every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 am to 12:00nn

During the launching program, Mr. George Valiente, the designated Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) in the Department of Agriculture – Zamboanga del Norte Satellite Office, highlighted that the recipient of this program were the low-yielding areas in the region, specifically, Zamboanga del Norte which has <4 t/ha yield for irrigated and <2.8 t/ha for rainfed.

A target of 2,000 individuals from the selected municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte officially enrolled and successfully completed the program after the series of lessons for 3 months.

The culmination program was then held per municipality last November 8, 9, 10, 11, 21, & 2022 in the municipalities of Manukan, Sindangan, Siayan, Godod, Salug, and Liloy respectively. The participants gladly received their certificate of completion and some also received different farming tools such as knapsack sprayers, boots, and shovels as an award during the Q&A and raffle activities.

This program was made possible through the efforts of the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office 9, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – Zamboanga del Norte, and the Local Government Units (LGUs).