Sugpon, Ilocos Sur Mayor Daniel C. Laño Jr. took Branch Manager Cesario G. Sambrana and other senior staff of NTA Candon on a tour of a potential area for expansion of tobacco production under the Tobacco Contract Growing System (TCGS), including the proposed Block Farm area in Barangay Balbalayang, on February 24.
The tour, which included visitation of the beneficiaries of the TCGS and the Curing Barn Assistance Program and possible construction of small water impounding project, was preceded by the presentation of Manager Sambrana to the local executive of the flagship programs included in the Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP), and possible counterpart programs of the local government that benefit local tobacco growers.
According to Manager Sambrana, the site in Balbalayang is conducive production area considering the availability of abundant water supply and high elevation which are factors for quality tobacco production.
Sugpon, a 5th class upland municipality in southern Ilocos Sur, has 13.45 hectares of tobacco farm tilled by 28 registered tobacco growers in the current tobacco season.
The NTA Candon has also visited last week local executives of Sta. Maria, Narvacan, Nagbukel and Burgos, all municipalities in the second district of Ilocos Sur, the branch coverage area, for the discussion on Block Farming and other key strategies under the STEP to increase production and farmers’ income.
With Manager Sambrana during the tour were Chief Agriculturist Adonis D. Lazo, Acting Supervising TPRO Amelia Veronica L. Lacaden, Acting Area Supervisor Oliva C. Galdones, and Team Leader Reynaldo L. Padillon.
[Photo credit: John James B. Canosa]