NTA convened on August 16 the Techno Updating Task Force for a one-day online workshop today to come up with the recommended technologies for quality tobacco production for this coming crop year, 2021-2022.
Participants in the annual activity facilitated by the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Operations were the Branch Managers, Chief Agriculturists, and representatives from the private sector.
In his message during the opening program, NTA Administrator/CEO Robert Victor G. Seares Jr. stressed the importance of technology updates to help meet the goal of the agency to increase yield and income of tobacco growers for another crop year.
According to Deputy Administrator Sambrana, the workshop aims to identify mature information and technology components for inclusion in the package of technology for tobacco production of Virgina, Burley, and Native.
Sources of mature information and technology components are Research and Development (R&D) conducted by the Farm Technology and Services Department, R&D of the private sector, protocol research, National Seed Industry Council (NISC) adaptability trials of tobacco variety, and farmers’ best practices validated by the extension workers.
The workshop is divided into three Focus Group Discussions on Production Technology headed by Vigan Branch Manager Minerva P. Mizal for Virginia, Pangasinan Branch Chief Agriculturist Roger T. Madriaga for Burley, and La Union Branch Manager Dr. Giovanni B. Palabay for Native Tobacco.
The results of Protocol Research were presented by researchers accredited by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, research assistants, and participating company.
Deputy Administrator for Support Services Benedicto M. Savellano and Director Teofilo R. Quintal of the NTA Governing Board also attended the opening program.
[Photo: Melanie Rapiz-Parel]