LU AS AN AGRI-TOURISM DESTINATION

By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza, GPC-PIO

Tagged as the new economic game-changer, agri-tourism is one of the drivers of economic development. The word “Agri-Tourism” is coined from the words agriculture and tourism. Primarily, Agri-Tourism involves an agriculturally-based operation or activity that draws visitors to a farm, ranch, or any natural site like vegetable plantations, orchid farms, and bee farms for outdoor recreational activities, education, shopping, or even lodging.

Based on the Republic Act 10816 known as the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, “Farm tourism or Agri-Tourism is the practice of attracting visitors and tourists to farm areas for production, educational and recreational purposes. It involves any agricultural – or fishery – based operation or activity that brings visitors, tourists, farmers and fisherfolk to a farm who want to be educated and trained on farming and its related activities, and provides a venue for outdoor recreation and accessible family outings.”

The vision of the province of La Union to become the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025 is mainly anchored on the province’s potential in both fields of agriculture and tourism. The rise of innovative agriculture leads to a wider range of tourism. Farms have developed their sites to cater to more visitors offering various activities.

BUNGOL FARM

Bungol Farm is a potential demo farm for organic red and brown rice production which is located in Brgy. Bungol, Balaoan, La Union. The farm received various support from the Provincial Government of La Union through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, while the municipal government continuously supports them. Furthermore, it is one of the biggest producers of organic red and brown rice in the Northern Tourism Circuit.

FER-GIE NAVARRO FARM

The farm, located at Brgy. Damortis, Santo Tomas, La Union, pioneered off-season vegetable farming, and it is engaged in the development of technology, production, and marketing of safe, healthy, and quality vegetables which signifies the farm as the first Good Agricultural Practices-Certified Vegetable and Fruit Farm in the province.

Fer-Gie Navarro Farm leveled up when the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) accredited them as a Learning Site for on-the-job training and as an Agri-Tourism Site in the Southern Tourism Circuit of La Union.

IBIT’S FARM

Ibit’s Farm is an integrated diversified and Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited farm site owned and managed by Mr. Manuel G. Acosta located at Brgy. Masicong, San Fernando City, La Union. Its vision is to be a farm tourism and learning site for natural farming and good agricultural practices.

The farm practices organic farming and is committed to natural food production. To ensure that they are in line with their farms’ promotion, their enterprising activities utilize vermicomposting, a process where food and animal wastes are fed to worms that generate fertilizers.

LG AGRI-TOURISM FARM

Established in 2005 and nestled in Brgy. Amlang in Rosario, La Union, LG Agri-Tourism Farm is an integrated farm producing pinakbet vegetables, rice, papaya, organic chicken, fishpond, mushrooms, aquaponics, and the like. Activities on the farm include seed sowing and pick & pay.

It is also ATI and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-accredited as a learning site providing workshops for those who wish to learn about sustainable organic farming and farm tourism. Their farm also caters to visitors who opt to relax and experience farm life for a day.

LOMBOY FARMS

The Lomboy Farms in Brgy. Urayong, Bauang, La Union, as the pioneering vineyard in 1972, is where the propagation of viticulture within the Philippines began. For over four decades, founder and so-called “Grape King” Avelino Lomboy has supplied the country with freshly grown grapes. He also served as the trailblazer for the establishment of other family-owned grape farms in the municipality such as Manguerra Grapes Farms, Salino Grapes Farm, Ancheta Grapes Fram, Estigoy Grapes Farm and Franklyn Calica Grapes Farms which are all DOT-accredited farm sites.

LOTUS VALLEY FARM

Lotus Valley Farm is located in Brgy. Dasay in San Juan, La Union. It is an organic farm, nestled in a valley, that has become a model of sustainable agriculture. Aside from all the trees, they organically grow rice, beans, vegetables, fruits, healing herbs, and even materials for housing like bamboo and anahaw. Plant-based food prepared from the gardens is bursting with goodness to energize visitors.

ROCAPOR’S FARM

Rocapor’s Farm is a 2.5-hectare multi-awarded farm and duly ATI-accredited agricultural learning site in Brgy. Tabtabungao, Rosario, La Union. It is a learning lotus land for young farmers, scholars, and even tourists for a chance to educate themselves on developments in farming techniques and technologies. Moreover, the National Outstanding Farmer Awardee for 5 consecutive years owner, Mr. Rolando M. Rorapor, serves as the manager of the farm.

VAUGHN’S ECO-FARM

Vaughn’s Eco-Farm consists of almost 50 hectares of land, situated in Brgy. Carunoan West and Carunoan East in Rosario, La Union. It boasts of hundreds of mahogany and gmelina trees. Aside from that, mango and other fruit-bearing trees are also present in the area.

Rice plantations also contribute a lot to the beauty of the place. Moreover, the farm maintains environment-friendly poultry and piggery facilities, and it does not emit obnoxious odors. There are also fish and an exotic Burmese Python.

Apart from raising animals, they grow fruit-bearing plants like calamansi, vegetables, and herbs. They have a good source of water for the plants through the well-maintained dam. Visitors can experience an adrenaline rush through tractor-ride passing by the irrigation site, on the uphill parts of the farm, and into the woods. Eco-trail and camping are big things in the future for this place.

 

These farms are great examples of how Agri-Tourism offers a path to improving a strong and competitive agricultural sector while contributing to the booming tourism sector in La Union. As Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III advocates, “If we really want to change the landscape of prosperity for all in our province, we must pay attention and give importance to our farmers and other players in agriculture.”

The province's agriculture sector has grown by leaps and bounds over the past number of years. The most important concern is bringing continuity between agriculture and tourism to provide the best possible experience for visitors.