Agriculture Secretary William Dar visited the Tobacco Block Farm model in Barangay Silag in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur to see firsthand the implementation of farm clustering in tobacco production and various projects under the Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP).
The Secretary saw on Saturday (January 16) the grown tobacco under the Tobacco Contract Growing System and had a tour with NTA Candon Branch Manager Cesario Sambrana in the farm area to see the implementation of the livelihood programs of the pilot farm, such as the Gulayan at Manukan sa Barangay, Beef Cattle Production Project, Improved Tobacco Seedling Production, and Curing Barn Assistance Project.
The Secretary also had an opportunity to have a conversation with the local tobacco growers in a brief dialog.
With the Secretary during the visit were Asst. Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes, DA Regional Director Nestor Domenden, Sta. Maria Mayor Brigido Camarillo and other local officials.
The Tobacco Block Farm model in Sta. Maria, one of the eight pilot/model Block Farms in major tobacco areas in the country, had an aggregate area of 58.5 hectares involving 60 farmer-cooperators from the adjacent barangays of Silag, Ag-agrao and Pacang.
The NTA has tapped tobacco growers who are willing to be organized into farm clusters for more efficient farming activities and undertake the integrated development of the area.
[Photo credit: Almario Ancheta]