PANGANTUCAN, Bukidnon — A total of 305 farmers in this municipality completed the 21-episode School-on-the-Air (SOA) BREWdio program on coffee production and processing on Sept. 5, as part of the Agricultural Training Institute’s (ATI) efforts to support Bukidnon’s coffee industry

The program, implemented in partnership with DXDB Radyo Bandilyo Malaybalay, is one of several ATI initiatives that produced farmer-graduates across the province. It covered farming practices, post-harvest techniques, and marketing strategies aimed at improving yield and income.

Training modules included varietal selection, soil fertility management, pest and disease control, harvesting, quality control, and financial literacy.

Local officials emphasized the need for continued collaboration between farmers and the government in implementing Bukidnon’s 10-year coffee industry roadmap. They said the skills gained through the BREWdio program are expected to support the long-term sustainability of coffee as a livelihood.

The roadmap aims to expand production areas, enhance bean quality and output through technology and training, strengthen farmer cooperatives, develop post-harvest infrastructure, and promote Bukidnon coffee in both domestic and international markets.

Bukidnon Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque congratulated the graduates and acknowledged their role in the province’s coffee sector.

“You are the true champions of coffee farming—the pride not only of Pangantucan but of the entire province of Bukidnon,” he said.

Municipal Agriculturist Teodoro Quirante III said the program affirms Pangantucan’s role in advancing the coffee industry and aligns with the province’s development plans.

“Swerte ‘ta nga gihatagan og panahon sa ATI aron mapadayon ang School-on-the-Air (SOA) Program. Karon, ang probinsya nagtinguha nga mahimong Arabica Capital of the Philippines,” Quirante said.

(We are fortunate that ATI gave us the opportunity to continue our broadcast training program. Bukidnon is now working toward becoming the Arabica Capital of the Philippines.)

Quirante said farmers remain focused on continuous improvement and learning.

ATI project officer Marylie Monteroyo-Suralta encouraged participants to apply their training beyond the program.

“We hope that your learning does not end here but becomes the beginning of greater success—not only for the economy but also for your families,” Suralta said. (Leanel Gebon D. Balacuit/RLRB/PIA-10/Bukidnon)