INDANG, Cavite - According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the CaLaBaRZon is one of the top swine producers in the country ranking second. It accounts to about 22.77% of the national produce in 2013.

Among the provinces, Cavite has the lowest percentage of swine population, having 8.90%, while Laguna has a total swine population of 10.57%, 14.45 % for Quezon, 19.66 % for Rizal, and the highest population with 46.42% of swine population is the province of Batangas (PSA, 2015).

On May 21, Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A in collaboration with 702 DZAS AM, Cavite State University, Provincial Government of Cavite through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Cavite launched a School-on-the-Air (SOA) dubbed as Radyo Eskwela sa Pag-aalaga ng Baboy.

The activity aimed to update swine raisers and students on the appropriate technologies related to sustainable pig farming and provide an alternative, sustainable and affordable swine raising technology for commercial and backyard swine farming.The SOA aired over 702 DZAS AM from June 25 –September 24, 2018, reaching over 600 agriculture students of CvSU and swine raisers from the city/municipalities of Cavite province.

After 14 weeks of airing, a total of 623 participants from various municipalities and cities in Cavite and agriculture students of Cavite State University successfully completed the program.

ATI IV-A Center Director Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico congratulated the participants and extended gratitude to the collaborating agencies for the success of the activity.
“Malawak po ang ang oportunidad sa Sustainable Pig Farming, hindi lamang po ito nakatali sa pag-aalaga ng baboy. Maging ang mga pakain tulad ng Madre De Agua ay maaring pagkakitaan. Tulad na lamang ng paggawa at pagbebenta ng concoctions ay maaring gawing extra income,” CD Cosico shared.

Project Officer Ms. Janine L. Cailo highlighted the use of social media platform (Facebook) to broadcast the SOA thru the Facebook Live. “Malaking tulong ang paggamit ng Facebook Live upang marami tayong maabot na audience lalo na ang mga kabataan,” she added.

One of the graduates, Ms. Marissa Molina from GMA, Cavite expressed her gratitude to the radio teachers of SOA for sharing their expertise and knowledge. “Ito po ay isang napakagandang programa na naipamahagi sa mga katulad naming nag-aalaga ng baboy, dahil dito nagkaroon po tayo ng kaalaman tungkol sa mga alternatibong pamamaraan tulad ng natural na pagkaen at mga halamang gamut na makikita lamang natin sa ating bukid o kapaligiran. Makatutulong ito upang mabawasan ang gastusin lalo na kung nag-aalaga ng commercial na baboy. Isa po itong napakalaking tulong lalo na sa akin na nagsisimula pa lamang sa pag-aalaga ng native na baboy,” she also added.

During the ceremony, outstanding students, partner agencies, and radio teachers were given appreciation and recognition.
The mass graduation was held on October 24, 2018 at Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite.