The Department of Agriculture Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) envisions establishing an outreach center in every province to prepare the ground work for quality research according to OIC-Regional Executive Director Lorenzo M. Caranguian as announced during the DA-CAR Annual Research Review held in Baguio City.
There are Research Outreach Stations (ROS) already in Luna, Apayao and in Rizal, Kalinga. Recently, Mayor Anthony D. Wooden of Tadian donated 10 hectares for the establishment of the Western Cordillera Research Center in Mountain Province. In Abra, DA-CAR needs to visit the site recommended by the Field Operations Division (FOD) and have an audience with Governor Jocelyn Bernos.
For the Province of Ifugao, Caranguian already coordinated with Governor Pedro G. Mayam-o regarding the 10-hectare donation in Lamut for the establishment of an ROS in the province. In Benguet, the Baguio Dairy Farm will be developed into combined research and extension facility.
Part of the development of the Baguio Dairy Farm is the establishment of the Development and Training Center and Guestel worth 100M pesos. Also, DA-CAR will pursue the establishment of an integrated laboratory that will include soils laboratory, seed testing laboratory, tissue culture laboratory, pest and diseases laboratory, animal diagnostic laboratory, feed laboratory, bio-control laboratory and all other laboratory needs merged into one.
“Research Outreach Station is the implementing arm for research and production of the DA-CAR Regional Field Office,” said Research Chief Consuelo Aligo of ROS Luna. Also, an ROS is helpful because it provides easier access to the programs and projects of the department for the farmer-beneficiaries, she further clarified.
It is not too late for the DA-RFO-CAR to carry out these plans but it would take much time to accomplish according to Caranguian.
By Karen T. Gawigawen