The Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas concluded its five-month-long School On Air on Smart Rice Agriculture (SOA-SRA) radio program on October 11, graduating approximately 400 farmers from the municipalities of Dingle, Passi City, Pototan, and Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
Conducted in partnership with DYRI RMN Iloilo 774kHz, the SOA-SRA program ran from June to October this year. It supported the DA’s MASAGANA Rice Program, which aims to increase the yield and productivity of rice farmers in Iloilo’s key rice-growing areas.
Through radio broadcasts, the program provided essential training and guidance on smart rice production technologies, helping farmers to adopt modern practices and improve their crop outcomes.
DA Western Visayas Regional Information Officer James Earl Ogatis emphasized that the SOA-SRA program was designed to drive innovation in the rice sector by delivering continuous education on advanced farming methods.
Lessons focused on the Palay Check System, Integrated Pest Management, and Soil Health—topics essential for empowering smallholder farmers and strengthening local agriculture.
Agriculturist II Ian Calibara, who discussed the various forms of support offered to farmers under the MASAGANA Rice Program, confirmed the graduation of this year’s SOA-SRA cohort.
During the graduation ceremony, the top five farmers from each participating municipality received recognition certificates and garden tool sets as rewards for their outstanding participation.
National Food Authority (NFA) Acting Regional Manager Herielle Jumagbas also called on rice farmers to support the NFA’s palay buffer stocking initiative by selling their clean and dry palay for P29.00 per kilogram. This program helps maintain a stable rice supply and offers farmers a reliable market for their produce.
In addition, representatives from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Regional Manager Eva Ulie Laud and Chief Marketing Sales Officer Jose Ma. B. Torres Jr., shared information about the crop insurance services available to rice farmers. These services provide financial relief to farmers affected by pest infestations, flooding, and other adverse weather conditions, safeguarding their livelihoods and promoting resilience in the agricultural sector. (via DA Western Visayas)
