The Mindoro Horticultural Center, is one of the biggest stations for research and production of crops and livestock under the Department of Agriculture – RFU IV.

A survey headed by Dr. Alfredo V. Palo and by the late Dir. Eliseo C. Carandang, made possible the establishment of the station through Presidential Proclamation No. 626 acknowledged on April 21, 1970 upon the intercession of the late Min. Jose J, Leido Jr. including the subsequent segregation of 316 has. from Block 1 of the Mindoro National Agricultural School (now Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology) reservation for the operations of the station.

The development of the station started on June 1970 when the late Mr. Cesar B. Bait became the Officer In-Charge. The station started on activities such as clearing of forest, putting up of temporary nursery for fruit trees and building of employees’ cottage. Production activities were hampered by rough roads, limited transportation facilities, heavy rain downpour, lack of drinking water source, and problem on squatters.

The problem on squatters was solved through amicable settlement during the terms of Dir. Domingo Panganiban, BPI Director, and Dr. Alfredo V. Palo, Officer In-Charge, BPI Region IV. An area of 56 has. was slashed from the reservation to be distributed to the squatters including some cash given as payment for the improvements made by them on areas claimed by the station.

Mr. Ricardo E. Cortez became the first Superintendent of the station from 1971 to 1975. During this time the Administration Building was built as well as the research and production building was constructed. 

On January 14, 1976 Mr. Alfonso A. Barrientos took over as Superintendent. Research activities flourished and livestock was added to the existing projects of the station. Additional Employees’ Cottage was built. 

In 1989 Mindoro Horticultural Center was changed to Oriental Mindoro Agricultural Experiment Station (ORMAES) for the research function of the station. As such, ORMAES was then renamed Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center – Research Outreach Station for Lowland Development Zone.

Mr. Jovileo C. Landicho became the Center Chief from July 1, 1998 to October 18, 2001. During this time, the ORMAES reservation was titled, a new conference hall was built and fencing of ORMAES compound was started.

On October 19, 2001, Mr. Napoleon M. Sarabia took over as Center Chief. In his early course of time the fencing of the whole ORMAES compound was completed. Furthermore, the Administration Building, Farm Machinery and Working Shed were repaired and renovated.

The station pursues and pushes towards research and development along with production of high quality plant and seed materials by way of modern agriculture.