In pursuit of additional LSA to be certified, the Regional Training Center of the Agricultural Training Institute in the Cordillera Administrative Region through the Partnership and Accreditation Section (PAS) leads in the validation of Dr. Fermin R. Quinto, Sr. farm located at Rizal, Kalinga last April 30, 2024.
Leading the team were Ms. Maribeth M. Ladu-an, Agriculturist II and Livestock Focal, Engr. Windel Baaten, Mr. Carevem Bayawa, and Ms. Jaila Sagpa-ey, Information Officer under the Information Services Section.
Initially, the farm was endorsed by the City Veterinary Office of Tabuk City and the Provincial Veterinary Office of Kalinga. The farm is located at Liwan West, Rizal, Kalinga and has a total land area of 18 hectares.
The team noted the following findings:
- The farm is an integrated livestock-based farm
- The farm is engaged in cattle production (6 heads), sheep (35 heads), goat (5 heads), native swine (7 heads), duck and layer production (1700 heads). To support livestock production, forage arid grazing area is also being maintained in the farm. Wastes from the livestock area are being composted and utilized in the crop production area.
- It also has various fruit bearing trees such as jackfruit, calamansi, mango, kasoy, ponkan, star apple, guyabano, chico, bugnay, papaya, and banana production. Also, bamboo plantation can be seen in the area.
- Various lowland vegetables were also planted like upo, eggplant and ampalaya.
- Basic facilities such as farm house, comfort room, wash area and holding area (good for 20 pax) are currently in place. They have regular 5 workers. On-call workers are being arranged when needed.
- Farm is being utilized as hands-on and learning areas for interns and OJT of various schools in Rizal and Tabuk City.
- Owned and being managed of former city veterinarian of Tabuk City Dr. Quinto and her wife.
For the owner to have information on what a Learning Site for Agriculture is, they were oriented on the basic features and responsibilities of becoming a learning site.
GAP certification was also recommended to the applicant.// with reports from Maribeth M. Ladu-an
