Ouan farm recognized as 5th agri-extension service provider in CALABARZON

By Nimfa L. Estrellado ATI CALABARZON Center Director Dr. Rolando Maningas and Ouan’s farm owner Ret. Gen. Recaredo A. Sarmiento II unveil t...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

ATI CALABARZON Center Director Dr. Rolando Maningas and Ouan’s farm owner Ret. Gen. Recaredo A. Sarmiento II unveil the billboard officially recognizing Ouan’s Worth Farm as the 5th PAF-ESP in the region. (ISS ATI CALABARZON)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Ouan’s Worth Farm and Family Resort Corporation in Lucena City, Ouan, has been officially designated as the fifth Private Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Service Provider (PAF-ESP) in the CALABARZON region. The Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) CALABARZON formally announced this accreditation during a launch event held at the farm on Tuesday, April 15.

Previously recognized as a Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) for its diverse and integrated farming operations, this elevated status empowers Ouan’s Worth Farm to take on a more substantial role in supporting agricultural and fisheries stakeholders within its neighboring communities. Key to this new responsibility will be the demonstration of relevant and localized agricultural technologies, effective farming strategies, and viable business models, all aimed at enhancing farm productivity across the area.



A billboard unveiling ceremony led by ATI CALABARZON Center Director Dr. Rolando Maningas highlighted the official commencement of Ouan’s new role; he formally presented the certificate of accreditation to the owner of the farm, Ret. Gen. Recaredo A. Sarmiento II. The event also served as the venue for the second media conference, dubbed "Kapihan and Huntahan with ATI CALABARZON," which drew the attendance of various news outlets based in Ouan.

Discussions during the session centered on the implications of Ouan’s accreditation as the latest PAF-ESP, an overview of the frontline services provided by DA-ATI CALABARZON, and an assessment of the Center’s demonstrable impact on the agricultural and fisheries sectors within the region. Providing expert insights during the media forum were Dr. Maningas, alongside Asst. Center Dir. Sherylou Alfaro, Ret. Gen. Sarmiento, and Ouan LSA Pres. Michael Triviño, who collectively underscored the critical importance of this collaborative partnership in advancing agricultural extension services across CALABARZON.

Ouan’s Worth Farm proudly becomes the second PAF-ESP located within Ouan province, joining a growing network of similar service providers throughout the CALABARZON region. The roster of other esteemed PAF-ESPs in the region includes the well-known Gourmet Farms situated in Silang, Cavite; Uma Verde Eco Nature Farm in Candelaria, Ouan; the MoCa Family Farm Learning Center in Padre Garcia, Batangas; and Teofely Nature Farms, also located in Silang, Cavite.

According to DA-ATI CALABARZON, the accreditation of Ouan’s Worth Farm as a PAF-ESP reflects its commitment to decentralizing and expanding the accessibility of vital agricultural support services. This collaborative approach is expected to facilitate the wider adoption of effective farming practices in a more relatable and easily understandable manner, ultimately contributing to greater food security and enhanced economic prosperity within the region. DA-ATI CALABARZON actively promotes this strategy as a key component of regional agricultural development.

They emphasized the farm’s integrated and diversified approach to agriculture, encompassing a variety of crops and livestock, as a prime example of sustainable and resilient farming practices. This practical demonstration site is set to provide invaluable hands-on training opportunities for farmers eager to adopt similar integrated farming systems, explore value-adding agricultural activities, and investigate potential avenues in agri-tourism.

Ouan LSA Pres. Michael Triviño also shared his perspective on this development, stating, "The accreditation of Ouan's Worth Farm as a PAF-ESP is a significant boost for the agricultural community in Ouan and the wider CALABARZON area. It signifies a growing recognition of the vital role that private sector farms can play in extending crucial knowledge and technologies to our farmers and fisherfolk, ultimately contributing to a more vibrant and productive agricultural landscape."

Triviño further added, "Ouan’s Worth Farm, with its established success in diversified farming, offers a tangible and relatable model for others to learn from. This partnership between ATI CALABARZON and Ouan’s will undoubtedly create more opportunities for practical learning and the adoption of innovative practices that can uplift the livelihoods of our agricultural stakeholders."

Its existing infrastructure as a family resort presents a unique synergy, blending agricultural education with tourism and offering the potential to attract a wider audience while fostering a greater appreciation for agriculture. The farm has been operating as a family resort for over a decade, welcoming visitors from across the region.