Around 450 farmers across Davao Region are now equipped with the latest durian production technologies that they can implement on their farms after recently graduating from the School-on-the-Air (SOA) on Durian Production Program.

In an interview on Monday, Janelle Flores, the chief of the Department of Agriculture-Davao (DA-11) regional agriculture and fisheries information section (RAFIS), said that the initiative, carried out through a partnership with the High Value Crops Development Program – 11, graduated its farmer-students on Aug. 29.

She noted that the SOA on durian production ran from July 15 to Aug. 22.

Flores said that despite its potential, many durian growers face challenges such as limited access to science-based technology, poor farm management, pests, diseases, and postharvest issues that affect fruit quality and marketability.

“SOA is a proven distance learning strategy using radio as a medium to reach a wider audience of farmers, rural families, and agri-preneurs,” she said.

Through this approach, she said farmers can learn improved techniques in durian production, processing, and marketing without leaving their farms, thereby promoting inclusive agricultural development.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Jaime Pelaris, the president of the Davao Region SOA Coordinators Farmers’ Association (DARESCOFA), conveyed his appreciation to DA-11 for its unwavering support to farmers.

“We thank you for the support and for always guiding the farmers in Region 11,” he said in a statement on Monday.

During the SOA graduation, Flores noted that DA-11 regional technical director Zabdiel Zacarias highlighted how the month-long SOA used farmers’ learnings as a bridge from limited knowledge to real progress. (PNA)