The material also includes information on Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OpAPA) and Palayamanan. OpAPA uses ICT platforms such as e-learning and farmer’s text center to improve rice yield while Palayamanan is a diversified integrated rice-based farming system.

Gloria Manor, captain of Brgy. Bato, San Fernando, La Union said he learned the importance of using certified seeds from the Palay-Aralan sa Radyo material aired by Juanita Peralta, an extension worker .
 
“[I apply what I learn]. We used to plant our own seeds but shifted to certified seeds after learning from Ma’am Juanita’s program that using these seeds would give us higher yield,” Manor said.

Juanita Peralta, broadcaster and extension worker

Waking up before 5 am, Manor listens to Peralta’s radio program before going to the field. “Ma’am Juanita’s early morning segment fits my schedule. The information I get entices me to wake up early,” she said. Manor added that Peralta airs agriculture information on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Meanwhile, Reynaldo Casuga finds the program relevant to farmers who are not regularly visited by agricultural technicians.

“Technicians sometimes fail to visit other farmers’ field so it’s good that we have this radio program as farmers are guided and updated on new technologies,” Casuga said. By practicing the eight checks he heard over the radio, he harvested 100 cav/ha of palay instead of the usual 80 cav/ha.

Described by her listeners as dedicated and effective radio broadcaster and extension worker, Peralta observes that farmers are persistent information gatherers so as to increase their yield. “After my radio program, my cellphone never stops from ringing because farmers want me to further explain what I aired. They are really thirsty for knowledge to increase their yield,” Peralta noted.

To sustain listenership, Peralta usually invites rice experts and employs gimmicks such as airing a question which farmers will answer through cellphone. The first farmer to give the right answer wins a prize.  Peralta supposes that her listenership is expanding because the inquiries she receives through text are also increasing.

When asked why she is tireless in disseminating agriculture information, she said, “I want that even single information that we share over the radio or right in farmers’ fields will have an impact on farmers’ condition. Government’s money will only be put into waste if farmers will not benefit from the program,” Peralta said.

For more information on Palay-Aralan sa Radyo material, visit PhilRice’s Development Communication Division at the Farmers’ Training and Information Center, Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.