800 farmers graduate from DA “School on the Air” program

THE GRASS IS GREENER: Around 800 farmers across Region 12 (Soccsksargen) graduated from the Department of Agriculture (DA) “School on the Air” (SOA) program last Friday, equipping them with modern farming technology and effective techniques in increasing productivity and profits.

The farmers earned their DA certification on acquired farming techniques by listening to the radio in their homes and farms.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol was present during the farmers’ graduation at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato. He said the enrolled farmer-beneficiaries learned about farm mechanization and climate change mitigation, as well as effective means to fight infestation such as rats, black bug attacks, and stem borer. With this knowledge, the farmers can improve in their profession for long-term sustainability.

Piñol also urged all the other farmers in the region to participate in all DA programs, which aim to help them improve production and income.

Education through innovation

The SOA is one of ATI’s offerings on its distance learning technology package on agriculture and fisheries-related matters. It’s composed of a series of radio programs that systematically and progressively talk about agricultural subject matters. The programs are aired for a period of over three months, after which enrollees are given a certificate of completion.

via Philippine News Agency / Edwin Fernandez