ATI-RTC XIII Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo (left) encourages households to listen and apply the knowledge they will gain through the "Okay sa OA: School on-the-Air on Organic Agriculture Production" with Joel B. Corvera during its launching on July 10, 2020 at Hope Radio Phil. Butuan 93.5 FM.
BAAN KM 3, Butuan City – Aiming to promote the healthy, sustainable and natural way of farming, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) in partnership with the Provincial Agriculture and Veterinary Office (PAVO) of Agusan del Sur launched its “Okay sa OA: School on-the-Air (SOA) on Organic Agriculture (OA) Production” on July 10, 2020.
This is to strengthen the promotion of OA production technology in response to RA 10068 through the use of radio to reach a larger number of audiences ranging from farmers, Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), students, housewives, and other agri-enthusiasts and individuals.
PAVO Operations Division Head - Elena S. Bausing said, “The province of Agusan del Sur has long been supporting RA 10068 together with the Municipal and City Agriculture Offices. Since 2010, we have conducted a number of trainings, seminars, and information drives encouraging our farmers to do organic agriculture. In the year 2013, our province was recognized as a National Organic Agriculture Awardee. We hope that together with ATI, Organic Agriculture Production will be intensified in our community.”
The said SOA has a total of 330 enrollees from the 12 participating Local Government Units (LGUs) of Agusan del Sur namely: Sibagat, Esperanza, Prosperidad, San Francisco, Bunawan, Rosario, Trento, La Paz, San Luis, Loreto, Veruela, and Talacogon.
“May this SOA be a way for the people to appreciate the role of agriculture especially in this time of Covid-19 pandemic. May it be cultivated and applied to each household that food production in each family will not be a problem now and for the future. With this, we are answering the call and support our Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar’s - Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita,” said ATI-RTC XIII Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo during his message.
Also present during the launching were: Nila S. Estrada – Provincial OA Focal Person of PAVO, Mary Grace B. Salve – Media Production Specialist II and Ressell Angelie S. Fetalsana – Information Officer II and SOA on OA In-charge.
The program was hosted by Joel B. Corvera - Farm Caster of PAVO, and will be heard over Hope Radio Philippines Butuan 93.5 FM every Friday at 5:30 – 6:30 am for 16 sessions until October 23, 2020.