Davao city: Around 450 farmers across the 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.

According to Philippines News Agency, Janelle Flores, the chief of the Department of Agriculture-Davao (DA-11) regional agriculture and fisheries information section (RAFIS), highlighted that this initiative was carried out through a partnership with the High Value Crops Development Program - 11. The farmer-students graduated from the program on August 29, after undergoing training that ran from July 15 to August 22.

Flores pointed out 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. The SOA program is a proven distance learning strategy using radio as a medium to reach a wider audience of farmers, rural families, and agri-preneurs, enabling them to learn improved techniques in durian production, processing, and marketing without leaving their farms. This approach promotes inclusive agricultural development.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Jaime Pelaris, the president of the Davao Region SOA Coordinators Farmers' Association (DARESCOFA), expressed appreciation to DA-11 for its support to farmers. "We thank you for the support and for always guiding the farmers in Region 11," he said in a statement.

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.