Cagayan de Oro City, June 7 – To help boost awareness, the ‘Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita’ radio program of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) and Central Mindanao University (CMU) was featured over the weekend’s Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security -X (CORDS-X) podcast.

In the webisode with Communications Secretary Jose Ruperto M. Andanar, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado shared that said initiative, is anchored on Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar’s directive, of tapping community radio stations for a massive information, education and advocacy towards agri-fishery development.

The Program hits the waves over DXMU-FM 88.9 every Tuesdays and Thursdays and is the first among all DA-RFOs nationwide to have forged a partnership with a state university in the implementation of a radio program.

“It all started with Sec. Dar’s instruction, asking the regional field offices, in having a radio station that can be readily tapped to help DA in bringing and sharing information and updates, especially on technologies to farmers and fisherfolk, and for them to be apprised with the programs and activities that DA has been implementing,” the agri executive detailed its inception.

Said undertaking is officially inked on May 26, alongside with DA-CMU’s launching of the 50-hectares hybrid rice derby and technology demonstration in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

“For our part, we are happy to support this noble undertaking to provide an example that with the cooperation among DA-10, CMU and other private companies, all together, we can bridge in helping out those who are involved in rice production,” CMU President Dr. Jesus Antonio G. Derije remarked.

With the rice techno demo already in place, the DA-10 official reported that one of the highlights of the Program will include a thorough discussion on the components of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) which eyes to scale up rice farmers’ productivity and income.

“Aside from our regular program, we will also be involving our DA attached bureaus, agencies and corporations. We will enlist them to be our guests, including private seed companies for them to discuss innovative technologies, and our farm machinery and equipment suppliers,” Collado said, noting this will also be contributory to the Program’s success.

Meanwhile, Dr. Derije committed in pooling technical experts such as professors, station manager, licensed electronics engineer and broadcasters to assist in the Program.

The ‘Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita’ program had its maiden airing on the same day of DA-CMU’s MOA signing, where it centered on Fall Armyworm, its characteristics and nature, prevention, control and management, especially that it has already affected some corn farms in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental provinces.

Further, the Program marks DA-10’s continuing support to the extension program of CMU, as it has funded P4 million to rehabilitate and convert DXMU radio station from AM to FM back in 2012, with listenership coverage not only in Bukidnon, but also reaching North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Davao City and Agusan del Sur.

The radio program is anchored by DA-10’s communication arm, the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS).#