Bontoc eyes more tourism farms, aggie learning sites

AGGI TRENDS

Alpine L.Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province - The Bontoc local government through the Municipal Tourism Office, in collaboration with the committees on agriculture and tourism of the Sangguniang Bayan are now pushing agriculture and tourism (agri-tourism) programs in this capital town.
    Officials said farm tourism combines tourism and agriculture by drawing visitors to farms to experience unique agriculture activities like harvesting agricultural produce, feeding and raising animals, fishing, camping, hiking and even sampling local cuisine.
    The recent activity on Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) -accredited learning farm sites in the municipalities of Besao and Sagada on Jan. 25 joined by Sangguniang Bayan member Benedict Odsey III and Elizabeth Farnican of the Municipal Tourism Office was a learning experience imparted to farm owners in the municipality.
    The activity was coordinated by Faith Pec-ao, learning site focal person from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian of the Provincial Government.
    Odsey and Farnican, along with farm owners in Bauko visited the Salt and Pepper Organic Farm in Besao; Sagada Village Heritage Bees at Lolos Farm, and Kiltepan Integrated Rabbit Farm, both located in Sagada.
    SB member Odsey who is also chairperson of the committee on agriculture and member of the committee on tourism said agri-tourism could help the farming industry and improve lives of farmers and farm owners.

Following their recent visit to the tourism farms in Besao and Sagada, Odsey, said farm tourism attracts guests to visit farm areas in Bontoc for educational and recreational purposes and encourage economic activities that can provide farms and communities get additional income.

These activities include immersing tourists in feeding animals, collecting eggs, hiking, learning nature-based arts and crafts, harvesting vegetables, and wine tasting, among others.

With this, he encouraged the farmers to introduce technology in farming and eventually open their farms to tourists under the farm tourism program of the Dept. of Tourism.

Odsey assured the support of the Bontoc local government to farm owners on their application for accreditation of their farms.

Farnican in an interview, said there is only one ATI- accredited learning farm in Bontoc which is the Bontoc Dairy Farms.

She added another farm in Barangay Maligcong recently underwent assessment by the Municipal Tourism Office and by the local Office of the Veterinarian.

Farnican urged interested individuals who want to operate tourist farms to visit the Municipal Tourism Office for requirements.

Also, they may visit Faith Pec-ao at the OPVet.