Butuan City – Aiming to improve the productivity of the farmers and to strengthen the promotion of corn production in the region, The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 (ATI-RTC) 13 in partnership with the Provincial Agriculture Office – Agusan del Norte successfully launched the School-on-the-Air on corn production: “Radyo Eskwela sa Mais Ika’y Wais” on May 18, 2021 (Tuesday) 5:00AM – 6:00AM thru 93.5 FM Hope Radio Butuan.

During the Airing, ATI-RTC 13 Information Services Section Chief, Fil Victor A. Babanto, gave an orientation and mechanics of the SOA program to the listener. Further, He elaborated that the program will run for 16 weeks, aired every Tuesday 5:00AM – 6:00AM from May 18 to September 7, 2021. Six Hundred enrollees are expected form the province of Agusan del Norte including Butuan City. Moreover, ATI Center Director, Mr. Samuel L. Calonzo greeted the enrollees and pledge that the Institute continues to deliver extension support and services to the corn farmers through this program.

The program is anchored by Mr. Miguelito D. Velasco, Provincial SOA Coordinator. Resource persons will also come from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).

This will be participated by nine (9) municipalities and two (2) cities. These ae Carmen, Jabonga, Kitcharao, las Nieves, Nasipit, RTR, Santiago, Tubay, Cabadbaran City and Butuan City.

Moreover, course content would cover the 16 modules: Natural Farming Technology Systems, Corn-based farming systems, Concepts and Principles of IPM, Soil Agronomy, Natural enemies and insect pests, Life cycles, Varieties and seed production, Agro-Ecosystem Analysis, Food Web and Food Chain, Corn Ecosystems, Nutrient Management, Water Management, Weed Management, Pests Management, Harvest and Post-Harvest Management and Corn by-products utilization.

With the support of the PAO and the Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs), it is expected to culminate in September 2021.