The Agricultural Training Institute in MiMaRoPa and its partners composed of representatives from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office MiMaRoPa, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Occidental Mindoro State College, Philippine Information Agency, Local Government Units of Occidental Mindoro, Office of the Provincial Agriculture-Occidental Mindoro, and local radio stations had its collaborative meeting on February 16, 2021 in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro for the implementation of Unified School-on-the Air Program on Smart Rice Agriculture (SOA-SRA).

In support to the first paradigm of DA Secretary William Dar which is modernization and competitiveness of Philippine agriculture through scaling of cutting edge technologies, SOA-SRA will share rice technologies particularly on NextGen varieties, RCM, PRISM and PRIME, among others through the use of radio.

The activity aims to engage all partners in the conduct of said program. With this, critical mass of small farmers and local intermediaries will be reached and educated on modern technologies on smart rice production.
Present during the meeting were Center Director Pat Andrew B. Barrientos, Assistant Center Director Ruben P. Jugno and ISS Chief Josephine G. Darm. Also, said partners from the different agencies, institutions, SUCs, media and local radio networks shall serve as technical working group (TWG) in the implementation of SOA-SRA in Occidental Mindoro.

The airing of the program will kick off on March 29, 2021 in identified local radio stations in the province.