In 1991 the Palawan Seed Farm or Palawan Agricultural Experiment Station was renamed STIARC – Research Outreach Station for Hillyland Zone (Low Elevation) by virtue of Administrative Order NO. 6 and 19 series of 1991 issued by former Agriculture Secretary SENEN BACANI and Regional Special Order No. 122 series of 1991 by Director CONRADO I. GONZALES.
However, in 1990 and 1991, Puerto Princesa City Hall, Palawan Sport Complex and Palawan State University building were erected within the area of the Station, claiming 2/3 of the land area. At present, 20 hectares are being maintained by the station to implement its research and production projects. The main office is located in Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines headed by the Station Superintendent or Agricultural Center Chief III. The Station is part of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan (MIMAROPA) or Region IV-B.
A. General
- To implement local Research, Development and Extension corollary to Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA).
B. Specific
- To establish projects in coordination with other local research institutions and laboratory support facilities
- To implement, review and monitor on-going research and development Projects in accordance with the Work and Financial Plan for the station;
- To take part in the formulation, development and implementation of R, D & E plan for the Province
- To support and strengthen a local R & D information network through collaboration with other agencies
1. The Provincial Agricultural Center (PAC)
2. Laboratories (Located at PAC)
A. Palawan Soils Laboratory (PSL) - A regional facility responsible forproduction of organic fertilizer and analysis of soil for proper fertilizer recommendation.
B. Tissue Culture Laboratory – The laboratory was established at theProvincial Agricultural Center (PAC) in Irawan, Puerto Princesa City last September 2002.
This is a Joint Project of the Department of Agriculture – Research Outreach Station and the Palawan Tropical Forestry Protection Programme (PTFPP). The PTFPP provided funds for the procurement of laboratory equipment and apparatuses. As counterpart, the Department of Agriculture was responsible for the renovation of the building, procurement of chemicals and laboratory supplies and training of two (2) staff involved in the operation.
This project involves collection of stocks, plant, materials, preparations of stock culture, media culture and construction of green house. Tissue Culure is the most rapid method of multiplying plants for thousands or even millions of plants produced from a small tissue in a short time. This process consists growing plants as a bud in an artificial environment so that numerous plants can be produced from a single mother plant tissue.
It is at present gaining great importance as a tool to study various basic problems not only in the field of physiology, biology and genetics but also in forestry, horticulture, and agro-forestry.
In the Philippines, plant tissue culture is already popular. It is already being done in production of crops such as banana, orchids, potato, coconut, abaca and other forest and fruit trees.
In Palawan, it is quite important considering the distance from other provinces. It is noted that quality plant materials are still coming from other provinces. Putting up a laboratory of this kind would be a great help to our farmers, growers and the province as whole.
Objectives:
General -
- Mass production of high quality plant materials for commercial and research purposes.
Specific -
- To mass produce high quality planting materials;
- To produce planting materials free of systemic diseases and soil-borne pests;
- To get uniform plants in the field.
C. Seed Testing Laboratory
A newly established laboratory which shall be responsible for testing the seeds for purity, germination, variety and moisture content to meet quality standard.
3. Abo-Abo Rural Agricultural Center
The center was originally part of Brooke’s Point, Palawan as there were two RAC’S established in the municipality (one was in Brgy. Maasin) during the establishment of PIADP in November 1982. It became part of municipality of Española when this municipality was established on July 26, 1993.
Abo-Abo RAC was approved thru a Brgy. Resolution by then Brgy. Captain Doris Martinez and its councilors requesting the Department of Agriculture – PIADP thru its Project Manager Nestor Arcega Torres, that an agricultural center be considered in Brgy. Abo-Abo because of its far distance from the town proper of Brooke’s Point, Palawan. Among other things stipulated in the resolution was the willingness of barangay to donate 10 hectares (100,00 m2) land from barangay reservation area with Lot No. 643 Pls-618-D to be utilized for that purpose.
In 1983, staff houses and nursery was temporarily constructed and in year 1985, permanent buildings were then erected.
In 1990, when PIADP was terminated and all RAC’s under the program were maintained by skeletal force.
In 1993, all RAC’s were turned-over to local government units except Abo-Abo RAC, which was then retained and put under the administration of DA-STIARC-ROS, Palawan. This was so, because of its research function and strategic location in the southern part of Palawan and ultimately became the satellite station of the DA-STIARC-ROS, Palawan. The RAC is headed by an Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Danilo Jimenez – a DA-STIARC-ROS permanent employee.
Abo-Abo RAC is 400 meters from the National Highway and 130 kilometers from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
As satellite station of the DA-STIARC-ROS, the RAC has strategic goals/objectives to perform:
- To conduct agricultural researches intended to help farmers improve their production both on crops and livestock;
- To produce high quality seeds and plant materials and cater to the needs of farmer in the Southern Municipalities of Palawan;
- To serve as training facility to students, technicians and planners seeking technical know-how and agricultural updates; to conduct demonstration projects developed through research and development projects.
