After three months of learning thru radio broadcast since July 2021, a total of 159 Benguet coffee farmers were confirmed graduates under the Department of Agriculture-CAR’s School-on-Air (SOA) Program on Coffee during the graduation ceremony held at the Sports Complex, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet on December 2, 2021.
The ceremony was led by DA-RFO CAR OIC-Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey together with Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, Bakun Mayor Bill Raymundo, Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan, and DA-RFO CAR High-Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP) Regional Focal Person Joan Bacbac.
The SOA is an extension program of the Department that aims to reach out to more farmers in the more remote parts of the Cordillera region transcending boundaries through the aid of radio as the main medium of communication. The farmers continuing learning is in sync with the social distancing protocol measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus.
For this year, the SOA course on Coffee titled “Quality Enhancement of Coffee Production from Seed to Cup” was offered in Benguet province. It was launched in July 16, 2021 and aired at the Mt. Province Broadcasting Corporation DZWT 540 AM from July 27 to October 2, 2021. Out of 162 enrollees from the nine participating municipalities of Benguet, 159 were able to complete the requirements of the course.
“The coffee that we have in the region is still not enough. I hope through this program, we will have more coffee producers,” said Governor Diclas.
The graduates received a Certificate of Completion and tokens of appreciation. Ten (10) Best Performing Students were also recognized for excelling in the quizzes, trivia and onsite practicum and gaining the highest overall scores.
Emille S. Milo of Sagubo, Kapangan ranked first with 100% total scores followed by Betty A. Lagman of Sapid, Mankayan with 98%. Lina Benwasen of Boklaoan, Kapangan; Neil Vincent Paran of Banangan, Sablan; and Rebeccas Tamawa of Poblacion, Tuba ranked 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively. Tops 6-10 were Juliet Longgawe of Beling-belis, Kapangan; Alma Eban of Labueg, Kapangan; Hector dela Cruz, Sheilo dela Cruz, and Mayla Canabe – all of Balili, Mankayan.
Furthermore, the municipal and provincial SOA coordinators who facilitated the SOA implementation in their areas were recognized for their support and commitment; hence, they contributed to the successful program implementation. They were the direct contact of the DA-CAR Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) and High-Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP) who supervised the SOA Program.
“Hopefully, we apply what we learned in this training. Because just like the blade that turns dull when not in use, so is our mind. Let’s put these learnings into good use so we can produce more quality Benguet coffee,” said Dir. Odsey.
For next year, SOA courses on coffee and banana will be offered to Mountain Province and Apayao, respectively as part of the Department’s goal to intensify learning and trainings for farmers and agricultural extension workers alike through various modalities as applicable in the target areas.**
