Jessamine E. Vea (right), Provincial SOA Coordinator, with Perla Galaura (left), resource person, during the first session of SOA on Cassava Production on May 28, 2019 at Hope Radio Philippines Butuan.
Baan, Butuan City – To step up farmers’ knowledge and the promotion of planting cassava in Caraga Region, the School on-the-Air (SOA) on Cassava Production for Agusan del Sur started airing last May 28, 2019 and will be heard every Tuesday at 5-6 am at Hope Radio Philippines Butuan (DXIM 93.5 FM and DXHR 1323 AM).
The program is anchored by Jessamine E. Vea, Provincial SOA Coordinator. Resource persons will also come from the Provincial Agriculture and Veterinary Office (PAVO).
There were nine municipalities and one city who are participating namely: Sibagat, San Francisco, Esperanza, Rosario, La Paz, Trento, Prosperidad, San Luis, Loreto, and Bayugan City.
Said SOA is a development initiative which will run for 16 weeks through the use of radio intended to address problems and information for various stakeholders such as farmers, Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), students, housewives, and other agriculture-minded individuals.
Topics to be discussed are the importance of cassava production, site and variety selection, land preparation, crop establishment, nutrient management, pest and diseases management, harvest and post-harvest practices, and cost and return analysis.
With the support of the PAVO and the Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs), it is expected to culminate in September 2019.