The City Government of Batac through the Office of the City Agriculturist in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) awarded the Certification of Accreditation to Onera Integrated Farm of Barangay Quiom and Adones Integrated Farm of Barangay Payao for their official establishment as Center for Agricultural Training at the City of Batac and the neighboring municipalities on August 29, 2023.
Onera Integrated Farm also received a check amounting to Php 100,000.00 from ATI personally handed over by Center Director Dr. Rogelio P. Evangelista. The fund will be used for the construction of their training hall.
Farmers from different barangays attended the awarding ceremonies, together with the barangay officials, Sangguniang Panlungsod members, Vice Mayor Windell D. Chua, and Mayor Albert D. Chua.
Vice Mayor Windell D. Chua highlighted the positive impact of the project to the agricultural sector of the city most especially to the farmers, agro-entrepreneurs and farm enthusiasts as there will be lesser expenses in transportation and they will be self-sustaining learning sites focused on increased income, improved marketing, and on-farm productivity.
Additionally, Dr. Rogelio P. Evangelista of ATI explained to the attendees the goals of the project: firstly, to become a stepping stone in establishing a farm school for TESDA, to become an extension service provider of the Department of Agriculture, and to become a farm tourism site in partnership with the Department of Tourism.
Mayor Albert D. Chua expressed his full support to the sectors of agriculture and fisheries, and emphasized his interest in aiming to become both a producer and a processor. Thus, he encouraged the strengthened coordination of farm operators to build more practical and sustainable learning sites.
