Reg’l info officers, farmcasters convened to strengthen communication efforts

Over 70 Regional Information Officers (RIOs), farmcasters of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Local Government Units (LGUs), and personnel from the DA Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (AFID) convened in a workshop from December 2 to 5 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan to enhance strategic communication efforts, share best practices, update stakeholders on national agriculture and fishery programs and synchronize strategies and craft more effective mediums for disseminating agricultural information.

AFID Chief Cheryl Suarez and Assistant Division Chief Adora Rodriguez emphasized the importance of reporting and communicating the “good news” in the agriculture sector, stressing the need for accurate, timely, and validated information for stakeholders. They also highlighted the significance of unified messaging in addressing critical agricultural issues.

Miriam Tejada, Radyo Pilipinas Puerto Princesa City’s station manager, shared effective radio broadcasting techniques. DA Regional Field Offices and Radyo Pilipinas stations nationwide have been partnering in the daily morning program Usapang Agrikultura, which has been airing from Monday to Friday since June 10 this year.

Meanwhile, Lovella Guarin of Bicol, James Earl Ogatis of Western Visayas, and Aurelle Arais of Caraga regions presented the best practices and challenges in managing the Usapang Agrikultura radio program. The program provided a platform for DA and its attached bureaus’ technical experts, farmers’ cooperatives and associations, young farmers, private partners, and other stakeholders to tackle technological innovations, success stories, and agri-fishery investment opportunities.

On the other hand, Philippine Rice Research Institute’s Senior Science Research Specialist Ruel Maramara discussed the integration of strategic communication efforts for the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. DA’s Agriculturist II Ma. Geralyn Lopez presented updates on interventions under the National Corn Program, while Senior Aquaculturist Cherry Romero delved into the developments in the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Salt Industry Project.

The information officers and farmcasters outlined communication strategies and planned upcoming dissemination activities. Farmcasters also affirmed their continuous contributions to the Regions On the Go segment of the DA’s Maunlad na Pilipino radio program.

Participants further demonstrated their commitment to environmental sustainability through a tree-planting activity at Gintong Butil Agri Farm and the Palawan Research and Experiment Station in Puerto Princesa.###Text by SMHToreno/DA-RAFIS & GCLuague/DA-AFID