Aiming to boost the cacao industry in Antique, 300 farmers from the municipalities of Barbaza, Culasi, Hamtic, Patnongon, San Jose, San Remigio, Sibalom, and Tobias Fornier have successfully completed the School-on-Air (SOA) on Cacao Production.
The program, aired over DYKA 801 Antique from July to September 2024, was led by the DA-WV Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) and the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) in partnership with the Provincial Agriculture Office of Antique, equipped local farmers with essential knowledge and techniques to improve cacao farming in the province. The graduation ceremony was held concurrently with the nationwide Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat Caravan, on September 13.
DA-WV Regional Information Officer James Earl Ogatis emphasized the importance of updating farmers with modern cacao production techniques.
“The goal is to bring appropriate knowledge on cacao production to your communities. The DA hopes that whatever you have learned from this SOA, you will apply in your respective areas to boost productivity and income,” stated Ogatis.
Antique Acting Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Gina Jordan recognized the graduates’ potential and the market opportunities for cacao highlighting the great market potential of cacao due to the high demand for chocolate.
“Now that you have graduated, we expect that the 300 of you will actively engage in cacao planting. This is not the end but just the beginning of how we can develop cacao production in Antique. You are the key to this growth,” said Jordan.
DA-WV Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulation Zarlina Cuello congratulated the graduates and reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing investment in Antique’s agricultural sector.
“We in the DA have a mandate and a directive from our President and Secretary to increase government investment in Antique. Our department aims to significantly boost farmers’ incomes, not just in rice and corn, but in all crops, livestock, and also high value crops like cacao,” she said.
RTD Cuello added, “I hope that after three years, we will see the impact of the 300 graduates on agricultural development in Antique through cacao production. Congratulations, and may we all rise to meet the challenges in our agricultural sector.”
The SOA program also recognized ten outstanding graduates for their excellent performance: Melly Jane Valente from Culasi, Salvacion Corbin of San Remigio, Jessica Minguez and Hazel Ganzas from Sibalom, Riza Villanueva of Patnongon, Galileo Nacionales of Barbaza, Herminia Buenabiles of Hamtic, Luzviminda Dionisio of San Jose, and Jeselie Casalan from Belison. These top achievers were awarded a Certificate of Recognition along with a spade, plastic crates, pruning shears, plastic sprinkler and a radio set. Other graduates received certificates of completion and assorted farm tools and collaterals.
DA Undersecretary for Policy, Research, and Regulation Asis Perez also congratulated the graduates, encouraging them to work diligently in producing food to support areas facing food shortages. Vice Governor Edgar Denosta and DA-WV APCO for Antique Sonie Guanco and Relvin Paragua graced the event, providing inspiration to the farmer graduates.
The SOA program was anchored by Provincial Farmcaster Arlene Edna La Vega with Provincial HVCDP Nancy Motecastro and Provincial Cacao Coordinator Anthony Borcillo as the resource persons. # (Text and Photos by: MSSubang/DA-RAFIS 6)