DA mulls use of more radio programs for information dissemination

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture is mulling the use of more regular radio programs in the dissemination of information on rural development projects.

Following the success of CHARM2-On-Air, the official radio program of the Second Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management (CHARM), the department now wants to increase the use of radio programs to inform, educate and update the beneficiaries of its ongoing and upcoming rural development projects.

Through the use of radio programs, the department would also be able to update project beneficiaries and other listeners on the activities, strategies, approaches, scope and parameters of DA projects.

“It can be a good way to solicit public understanding.  It may be true that we are already in the com-

puter age, but remote provincial areas do not have access to wifi. Radio requires only a small battery and a transistor so even at sea or in the fields, our farmers and fisherfolk will still get information on our programs,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

CHARM2-On-Air is aired on local radio stations in four provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region such Abra, Benguet, Kalinga and Mountain Province.

Part of the radio program is CHARM2 School-On-Air which aims to help project beneficiaries come up with informed decisions by providing them with relevant information.

Alcala said this sharpens the beneficiaries’ analytical perspectives as they undertake decisions that lead to improved farm management, better yield for the farmers, improved nutrition for the consumers and eventually, food security for the country.

The DA earlier said that it has completed 85 percent of CHARM2 as part of government’s efforts to promote rural progress across the nation.

CHARM2 is the second phase of a special project of the Department of Agriculture. CHARM1 focused on achieving progress in indigenous communities in three provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), namely Abra, Benguet and Mountain Province through increased market access for their produce.

This is done through various improvements in the production and trading chain of profitable crops.

Because of the success of CHARM1 the coverage of the project was widened. CHARM 2 is currently being implemented in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province.