BUTUAN CITY – In view of the implementation of the School-on-the-Air (SOA) on Inbred Rice Seeds Production and Farm Mechanization, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 and the Provincial Local Government Unit through the Provincial Agriculture Office of Agusan del Norte wrap up final preparations for its official launching this coming July 9, 2020.

SOA coordinators from participating Local Government Units have already completed the enrolment and distribution of kits to the 320 farmers and other stakeholders. The enrollees are from the seven Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-priority areas namely Buenavista, Cabadbaran City, Jabonga, Las Nieves, Kitcharao, and RTRomualdez, all of Agusan del Norte and Butuan City.

The program will air at 5:30 -6:30 in the morning every Thursday for 16 weeks over Hope Radio 93.5 FM. Mr. Rodolfo D. Nalla of the Provincial Agriculture Office will serve as the program anchor and the same time Resource Person. Mr. Benjie Villaruben of PAO and Ms. Joan B. Dela Torre will also join the pool of RPs during the whole duration of the SOA.

The pre-test will also be administered by the anchor during the launch. This will serve as a basis for determining the level of knowledge of the enrollees on inbred rice seeds production and mechanization prior to the actual delivery of topics starting next week.

The SOA is funded under the RCEF-Rice Extension Service Program.