THE NTA Quality Assurance Division (QAD) has started gathering leaf samples of Virginia, Native and Burley from major training centers and tobacco contract growers.
Cyrus Raymond C. Olivenza and Kathlyn Mae A. Tejano, Science Research Specialist II and I, respectively, visited La Union and Pangasinan, through the provincial branch offices, from May 10 to 13 to collect leaf samples for Crop Year 2021-2022.
This is in connection with the implementation of the “Annual Physical and Chemical Evaluation of Locally Grown and Tobacco Leaf Project” of the agency. QAD collects leaf samples every year to update the historical data on the physical and chemical characteristics of locally grown tobacco leaf. Samples will also be used as reference materials in seminars to be conducted on the Harmonized leaf grading.
According to Olivenza, they were able to collect 35 samples of Virginia, 39 for Burley and 25 for Native.
The QAD has not able to gather leaf samples for the past two years due to travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In La Union, the QAD team on May 11, assisted by Branch Roving Team headed by NTA La Union Manager Dr. Giovanni B. Palabay, collected 1 kg of tobacco leaf sample per grade and for each tobacco type from the buying stations of Trans-Manila Inc. in Agoo, Associated Anglo-American Tobacco Corporation and Continental Leaf Tobacco (Phil.) Inc., in Bacnotan, and A & J Trading Center in Sto. Tomas, and from a field canvasser and farmer cooperators from Agoo and Bauang.
In Photo: (L-R): Chief Agriculturist Emma Beth B. Fantastico, Kathlyn Mae A. Tejano and Cyrus Raymond C. Olivenza of QAD, two personnel from A & J Trading Center, Supervising Tobacco Production and Regulation Officer (TPRO) Warlie V. Oribello, Senior TPRO Christopher R. Supang, and NTA La Union Manager Dr. Giovanni B. Palabay.
[With Reports from Aryann Sangil & Cyrus Raymond Olivenza / Photo: Aryann Sangil]