TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite - The School on the Air (SOA) on Livestock, currently being implemented by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in CALABARZON will cater to college students taking up Agriculture and related courses in the region.

The learners will come from SUCs in the region offering Agriculture courses namely, Cavite State University- main campus), Laguna State Polytechnic University- Siniloan campus, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Mulanay branch, Southern Luzon State University - Lucban campus, University of Rizal System - Tanay and Batangas State University Lobo campus.

The SOA program will provide relevant information to the participants on management practices and value adding processes focusing on five livestock commodities: goat, free range chicken, native pig, bees and duck.

For the first time in SOA implementation, the Center will also make use of a different platform to disseminate the package of technology. Popular video sharing platform, Youtube will be maximized in place of a community radio station.

Instead of listening to a series of radio broadcasts, learners will watch 10 episodes of technology videos on the Youtube channel, “ATICalabarzon SOALivestock” every first day of the week. These episodes will showcase on-farm and demonstration activities of actual management and value adding practices of successful farms in region IV-A that are also accredited extension partners of ATI.

As part of the pre-broadcast activities, the Information Services Section led by chief, Dr. Rolando Maningas finished six batches of program launching in August at the participating universities mentioned.

Dr. Analita Magsino, Dean of College of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR) of Cavite State University - main campus expressed her strong support to the program during the launching activity.

“Expect something worthwhile today. Ang Cavite State University ay extension service provider ng DA-ATI. So, lagi [nila] tayong ka-partner sa mga programa. Sa mga estudyante naman natin, we wish that you devote time to participate in this SOA” she said.

Following the SOA format, learners will also need to satisfy other requirements such as enrolment forms, pre and post examinations, quizzes and one long examination in order to graduate from the program. The culminating activity will be held in November at the participating SUCs.

Dubbed as “ATIng Eskwelahan: Hayop na Pangkabuhayan,” the program can be accessed and shared publicly starting September 2, 2019 on ATICalabarzon SOALivestock Youtube channel.