THE Farm Technology and Services Department (FTSD) of the National Tobacco Administration presented three technical papers in the 2016 Commodity Review on rice and rice-based farming systems and tobacco on September 6. The papers were presented along with 12 others from the different member agencies of the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) in Batac City.

Fernando L. Andres, Science Research Specialist (SRS) II, presented the paper "Re-greening Mother Earth and Restoring Ecological Integrity: The NTA Experience." The development paper discussed the Kahuyang Pangkabuhayan at Pangkalikasan and the Synchronized Tree Planting projects of the agency from 2013 to 2015. The paper was adjudged to advance to the Region I Research and Development Symposium for oral presentation in November.

Two other development papers from NTA, "Verification of Vermicomposting and Soil/Plant Stimulants on Seedling Growth and Improved Flavor of Virginia Tobacco" by Patricia A. Inocente, SRS II; and "Tracer Study on the Participants to the NTA Livelihood Training Courses" by Engr. Felisa R. Aurellano, Community Development Officer III, are slated for poster presentations at the said regional symposium.

NTA joined the Department of Agriculture-Region I Field Unit, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Pangasinan State University (PSU), and the host PhilRice Batac in the 2016 Commodity Review. Six other papers to be presented in the regional symposium came from DA-RFU1, with four technical papers, and PhilRice Batac and MMSU with one technical paper each. (Felisa R. Aurellano)