PALOMPON, LEYTE — The Local Government Unit of Palompon, through the Municipal Agriculture Office, officially unveiled U-Tech Farm, marking its launch as the first Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) in the municipality accredited by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC8).
Accredited Demonstration Site Focuses on Coconut-Based Farming Systems
Operated by local farm owner Jennifer Mansing Mosquite, the facility transitions private land into an educational hub for sustainable coconut cultivation and modern farming techniques:
Hands-On Technology Adoption: U-Tech Farm serves as a practical classroom where local coconut farmers, aspiring agri-entrepreneurs, and students can observe modern agricultural practices and tech-driven yield optimization firsthand.
Formal Institutional Accreditation: Recognized by ATI-RTC8, the farm meets national standards for extension services, serving as an official venue for government-sponsored agricultural workshops, field trials, and skill development programs.
Community Opening Ceremonies: The launch commenced with a Holy Mass followed by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting led by officials from ATI-RTC8 alongside representatives from Palompon's Municipal Agriculture Office.
Municipal Leadership Strengthens Rural Agri-Entrepreneurship Support
Local officials emphasized that establishing accredited learning sites is central to long-term rural development and food security across western Leyte:
LGU Administrative Backing: Municipal Mayor Mary Dominique "DM" A. Oñate, Vice Mayor Javes Keith R. de la Calzada, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan commended the initiative, reaffirming municipal support for farmer-led innovation.
Diversifying Agricultural Incomes: By focusing on coconut-based integrated farming, the facility provides local growers with strategies to diversify income streams through intercropping, processing, and sustainable land management.
Building Resilient Farming Communities: Municipal agriculture leaders noted that expanding the LSA network across Palompon ensures accessible, peer-to-peer technical training to build long-term agricultural resilience.
