Thursday, November 26, 2009

157 Aklan Farmers Complete SOA Course


Director Remelyn R. Recoter of DA-RFU 6 talking of the importance of adopting new technologies on rice farming during the first graduation ceremony of Palay-Aralan School on the Air on PalayCheck System recently.

"I am truly grateful that the School on the Air aired over Community Broadcasting Information System (CBIS) Aklan helps me to fully understand the Palaycheck technology" said Mr. Ariel Igong-Igong of Barangay Liloan, Malinao, Aklan.

Igong-Igong was one of the 157 farmer-graduates of School On The Air (SOA) on Palaycheck System con-ducted by the DA-RFU 6 in collaboration with the office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Aklan and the LGU Kalibo.

According to Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, Regional Technical Director for Operations of DA 6, the SOA on palaycheck system is one of the activities the DA undertakes through the Education and Extension program of FIELDS thrust and priorities.

Dir. Recoter stressed "learning is a continuous process and encourages all farmer-graduates to share what they have learned to other farmers in their respective community," Recoter stressed.

Meanwhile, Mayor Raymar Rebaldo of Kalibo, Aklan affirmed his strong support and partnership with the DA in the implementation of SOA program and other agriculture related projects in Kalibo. He expressed optimism for the conduct of SOA on fisheries dubbed as "Palaisdaan sa Kahanginan" and for other priority crops in the province of Aklan.

"Through this SOA program we can provide vital information and technologies to far flung barangays where our farmers are in need of new technologies to improve their farming practices and increase their production," said Mayor Rebaldo.

Atty. Diego M. Luces, provincial administrator likewise encourages the farmers to plant hybrid rice for better production and good price in the market. "The farmers should be vigilant in reporting pest and diseases occurring in their fields to the proper authorities," Luces added.

The SOA on palaycheck system emphasizes on the eight keychecks farmers should follow in order to increase yield, have a better produce and minimize production losses in the fields. These are: use of certified seeds, no high and low soil spots after final leveling, practice synchronous planting after a fallow period, sufficient number of healthy seedlings, sufficient nutrients at early panicle initiation to flowering, avoid excessive water or drought stress situation, no significant yield loss due to pests and cut and thresh the crop at the right time. /MP

No comments: