The Center, through the Partnership and Accreditation Section (PAS) accompanied 47 members of the Balaybay Small Water Impounding Irrigators Association of Casillejos, Zambales, at the Garden Nen Ines and Darjanes Farms last February 12, 2025.
The benchmarking activity aimed to provide the association with hands-on learning opportunities and exposure to best practices, thereby allowing them to apply it in their own respective farming activities.
Garden Nen Ines specializes in ornamental plants, particularly various anthuriums. The garden has a rich history, having been started by the owners during the 1980s. The main attraction in this garden is the fields of anthuriums, which cover the majority of the garden. Other mini attraction that welcomes visitors are its photo booth area, wishing well, and the bamboo benches where you can rest after walking around the garden. A refreshment store is Garden Nen Inez is a certified ATI-RTC-CAR’s Learning Site for Agriculture for ornamental plants.
Just a-walking distance is the Darjanes Farm, coined from the owner's name Dario and Jane. The farm focuses on ornamental and sunflower seed production. The farm is a recipient of the Farm Family, an RBO-assisted Project.
Both farms are located in Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet.
The group also visited the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center for them to have a glimpse of the operations and the flow of trading of vegetables from the farmers to the consumers.
