by Mike Crismundo

PATIN-AY, Agusan del Sur – The farmers who attended the four-month School On the Air (SOA) late last year at Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) are now ready for climate change mitigation, it was learned Sunday.

image: http://www.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/y3.jpg

(MB File Photo/ Photo by Keith Bacongco)
The 250 farmers successfully completed the rice and climate change program implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the agency’s information section.

SOA is fully supported by the provincial officials of Agusan del Sur, personally spearheaded by Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza. The provincial government is extending farming seeds and post-harvest facilities.

In partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)-Agusan and Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC), and in coordination with the Provincial Agriculture Office of Agusan del Sur and the Municipal Agriculture Office of Bunawan town, the farmers learned climate change mitigation through the SOA.

The four-month study on air is a privilege for farmers who are in far-flung communities.

In the SOA, the farmers study the range of current land uses and management practices associated with dairy production, climate and environment related problems, and adoption of improved feeding and climate-smart practices.

Techniques on technologies addressing climate change and strengthening natural resource management were also discussed.

“This four-month study on air is a privilege that needed to be grabbed because this opportunity comes not every day and besides, our farmers will learn and prepare some mitigating measures in any calamities,” stressed Gov. Plaza as he expressed gratitude to DA and ASSCAT officials who initiated the program.

ASSCAT President Juarlito V. Garcines appreciated the non-formal education through the use of radio. He admired the effort and initiative of the DA in intensifying the campaign for rice sufficiency and security thru extension works with the help of mass media.

“We are looking forward for our next partnership with the department. We will continue to be allies for the development of the agriculture sector in the region,” he added.

Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/agusan-del-sur-farmers-ready-for-climate-change-mitigation/#6zQls9cXUaMdpBY9.99