More than 1,000 farmers with students from the different municipality of Oriental Mindoro attended the Department of Agriculture Rural Integrated Agricultural Center (DA-RIARC) 47th Foundation Anniversary entitled DA’s Grand Field Day on June 22, 2017. The celebration also coincides with the DA’s 119th anniversary.
The celebration aims to introduce the center to the community especially to the farmers. In this facility, visitors can learn about different ways of farming such as organic agriculture and livestock raising. They also cater different research regarding production on mushroom, banana, herbal plants, and fruit-bearing trees, among others.
On the same day, led by Dr. Louella Rowena Lorenzana, OIC-Regional Executive Director, and Engr. Colleta Quindong, Oriental Mindoro Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO), opened their Banana Tissue Culture Laboratory. The facility opts to improve the Research and Development of banana production in the province.
“Dati po ay nakakapag-produce lamang kami ng 500 pieces ng (banana tissue) ngayon po ang aim namin ay 5,000 per month na,” the APCO revealed.
Meanwhile, in the celebration, farmers had an educational tour and freely harvested the vegetables in the 250 hectares farm of RIARC. They were introduced to different organic ways of farming which the Department has been promoting in line with its program in Good Agricultural Practices.
Apart from free harvest, they also took home different giveaways from the regional-agri department through a raffle. The prizes were hand sleeves, shirts, umbrella, agricultural implements such as pump and engine, urea, knapsack sprayer, palay and corn seeds, as well as pairs of sheep and goat heads. DA’s partner suppliers such as Ramgo and East-West Seeds also gave gifts to the farmers.
Booths showcasing different products were also present in the event. Attendees learned and tasted adlai, soya, and mushroom products. Ramgo and East-West also sell their products in the event.
Honorable Lito Malabanan, Mayor of Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, graced the event and thanked DA for always granting their request.
“Simula po ako nong ako’y umupo lahat po ng sulat ko ay pinagbibigyan nila katulad ng irrigation namin, water impounding system, pati hybrid seeds, fertilizer, tractor nandiyan na. Tamad lang na magsasaka ang hihindi (sa mga ito) para sa ikauunlad ng agrikultura,” he said.
The Honorable Mayor also let RIARC use their trucks as service for the event. He also expressed 100% support for RIARC’s plan in venturing to Agri-Tourism as it may also help boost the economy of the municipality.
