Tinig ng Agrikultura sa Barangay (TAB): a DZLB participatory community radio program

Tinig ng Agrikultura sa Barangay (TAB), a College of Agriculture-led multi-agency and multidisciplinary participatory community-based radio magazine program, was aired by Radyo DZLB since Dec 6, 2008 every Saturday, 6-7 am to help people in Laguna and the CALABARZON [Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Philippines] Region appreciate life and business in agriculture, and entice them to use the recent technological advances. It started as a joint project of the College of Agriculture (CA), National Inst. of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT) and College of Development Communication (CDC) in cooperation with the Office of the City Agriculturist, Calamba City and the local government unit of Barangay Burol, Calamba City, the initial focal area. It evolved as a collaboration among the local government units in Laguna and Batangas, and a volunteer team of committed and motivated UPLB researchers and extension staff plus a retired University employee. An offshoot of the DLZB's August 2008 multi-sectoral partnership workshop and participatory development program planning sessions, the program has lived up to the station's commitment to serve as an active partner in pursuing UPLB's goal of excellence in the areas of food, agriculture, biotechnology, engineering and other developmental concerns. Featuring science and technology as a vital tool for agricultural and rural development, TAB has touched the lives of farming communities, and other stakeholders and listeners in the CALABARZON area by disseminating agricultural and developmental information based on the needs of the focal community, providing communication support to UPLB's extension programs, and promoting modern agriculture as viable community development enterprise. The program has been more than a vehicle for wider and faster dissemination of new and appropriate UPLB technologies. TAB also featured community-based news on agriculture and LGU [local government unit] development projects, recent trends and advances in agriculture and related fields, and success stories of farmers, professionals and practitioners, and other activities promoting community development. Through developmental broadcasting, TAB has created opportunities in community education, extension research and participatory agricultural development. It has proven that participatory community-based radio broadcasting is an effective means of technology promotion and extension to farmers and other stakeholders, a success story worth sharing and replicating for sustainable rural and agricultural development.