Uday Farm in Sitio Maglunod, Barangay Quezon in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, was recognized as a learning site for agriculture (LSA) by the Department of Agriculture Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) in Western Visayas June 11.
The farm, managed by Reginald Marticio, produces high-value crops and bananas and integrates livestock and poultry, and is now a sustainable and diversified farming site, the city said in a press release.
Marticio received the certificate and P150,000 in financial grant from Dr. Lyn Bantigue, agriculturist II and LSA alternate focal person of ATI Western Visayas.
City agriculturist Ricardo Panunciar Jr. and City Agriculture Office Rice Program implementer Verney Briones were also present during the certificate and grant turnover.
Briones said that as an LSA, Uday Farm will be a demonstration area for agricultural training and seminars, and will serve as a technology transfer hub for local farmers and agricultural stakeholders.
It can also generate income by hosting paid training sessions organized by various agencies.
He noted that Uday Farm is currently the only LSA-certified farm in San Carlos, but the city may be eligible to host up to three LSAs, depending on the variety of agricultural commodities produced.
Briones said the certification is valid for five years, subject to annual monitoring and assessment by ATI.
Farms that fail to implement the required developments during the period may be disqualified, allowing other qualified farms to benefit from the program.
With an LSA now in San Carlos City, he said local farmers will have easier access to capacity-building opportunities, which can help improve their productivity and farming knowledge. ||
