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[av_heading heading=’A new and exciting agritourism destination’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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Friday, February 24, 2017
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IF your concept about a“day farm” destination is just to see the ordinary agri crops, grazing farm animals, simple and rustic way of life, well, you are probably off the mark.
This year’s edition of Allied Botanical Corporation’s (ABC’s) Open House may surprise you because it is designed to be more fun, innovative, educational, relaxing – all rolled into one.
Since Feb. 17, ABC opened to the public its research farm in Barangay C. Lichauco, Tayug, Pangasinan for the 2017 Annual Open House event which will feature not only the country’s first-ever “Sunflower Maze” for those who would want to have a new level of experience but as well as the latest development and technology in seed production to cater to the fast-growing interest in urban gardening.
This year’s Open House dubbed “ABC’s Take Off to Agritourism” is geared to be more festive and tourist-oriented than ever after the Department of Tourism in Regtion-1 has accredited the research and development (R&D) farm of ABC in the province of Pangasinan as a “Day Farm” agritourism destination.
ABC will be showcasing the latest heat-tolerant tropical varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers which the urban gardeners can use in their own backyards.
For the past 12 years, ABC has been traditionally conducting the annual open days for its business partners and friends in the industry, and only last year that the company decided to open its R&D farm to the general public – noting the growing interest in urban edible gardening.
Aside from the various field day programs, visitors can also enjoy going around the unique 2,100-square-meter “SUNFLOWER MAZE” – dubbed the first in the Philippines, and probably in Southeast Asia.
The 23-hectare research and development farm of ABC will become a vast “outdoor classroom” where the visitors – farmers or tourists alike – will be treated to a showcase of around 500 different varieties of heat-tolerant vegetables, herbs, and annual potted plants.
ABC will also be featuring its colorful collection of annual flowering plants and cut-flowers which are all arranged in a beautifully landscaped garden.
The event can be a worthy stop-over for those travelling with their kids because the event has been designed to be educational and fun-filled as the children will be introduced to the wonderful world of agriculture.
This could motivate the younger generation to learn how to plant vegetables and to gain knowledge on how the crops can grow at the farm and later reach their dining table.
Another interesting feature will be the 8,000-square-meter area that is planted with the different varieties of melon and watermelon.
For less than a 30-minute drive from the Carmen Exit of TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway) in Pangasinan, motorists can easily reach the ABC’s Allied Agro Tech Incorporated research farm in Barangay C. Lichauco, Tayug town, where the event will be held.
ABC is primarily aimed at developing vegetable varieties to suit the local growing conditions, which include breeding for high-yield and resistance against local pest and diseases – selecting varieties with superior adaptability to tropical conditions./PN
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