RESEARCH OUTREACH STATION FOR HILLYLAND DEVELOPMENT (RSHD)

The Department of Agriculture – Research Outreach Station for Hillyland Development, formerly known as the Zambales Breeding Station, was established in June 2001. It was initiated by the Regional Director and supported by the Livestock Development Council. The station is located in Barangay Porac, Botolan, Zambales, and covers a total land area of 26 hectares of hilly terrain.

The station’s mandate is to develop and enhance farming technologies through Research for Development and Extension (R4DE) services. These efforts aim to improve the agricultural productivity and profitability of hillyland areas in Central Luzon by utilizing appropriate and improved crop and livestock production technologies. Additionally, there is equal emphasis on sustainable resource management and soil conservation practices.

SECTIONS

1.) Crops R4D Unit

    The station conducts various research projects aimed at improving crop production. These efforts are designed to enhance the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in the hillyland areas of Central Luzon. Additionally, the station establishes and maintains on-site technology demonstration areas for crop production, incorporating mature technologies from successful research. These demonstration areas serve as learning sites for farmers, students, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.

    Regarding the improvement of crop production and the enhancement of productivity and profitability for smallholder farmers in the hillyland areas of Central Luzon, we have established and maintained on-station technology demonstration areas.

    These areas showcase mature technologies resulting from successful research and serve as learning sites for farmers, students, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.

    The production protocol developed for the hillyland ecosystem through research has been disseminated to interested farmers and customers for adoption, promoting the sustainability of hillyland farming.

    2.) Livestock R4D unit

      The station serves as a breeding center in support of the livestock program, aiming to produce high-quality offspring, particularly for goats, native pigs, and rabbits. These animals will be distributed to qualified recipients in Central Luzon through an animal loan program or dispersal program.

      Additionally, the station conducts various research projects related to the improvement of goat, native pig, rabbit, and forage production. These efforts aim to enhance the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in the hillyland areas of Central Luzon. To accelerate the adoption of production technologies, the station showcases recommended and improved farming systems for livestock raising in hillyland areas. These farming systems are designed to increase growth potential, diversify income, and provide widespread employment and entrepreneurial opportunities by promoting technologies that utilize appropriate and improved livestock production management practices, thus contributing to the sustainability of livestock farming in Central Luzon.

      The project’s goal is to sustain livestock and agroforestry farming through the conservation, multiplication, and genetic improvement of livestock in the hillyland ecosystem. This model can be replicated in other areas of Central Luzon with similar agroecosystems.

      3.) Organic Agriculture Program

        The Research Outreach Station for Hillyland Development, in support of organic agriculture, aims to establish a third-party certified organic agriculture technology demonstration (OATD) farm. This farm will serve as a learning center and cater to the needs of various organic agriculture stakeholders and other interested clientele in Central Luzon. It will provide a better understanding of information and technology related to organic agriculture and relevant technologies, gradually increasing awareness, acceptance, and adoption of organic farming in the region.

        The project aims to showcase technology demonstrations in organic inputs, organic urban gardens, organic forages, and organic native pigs. Additionally, it involves developing, verifying, and improving current technologies in organic agriculture. The project also conducts capacity-building and capability-building activities for farmers, farm families, youths, and other interested clients, focusing on various technologies, skills, and values related to organic agriculture. Furthermore, it produces and distributes quality organic inputs, organic forage planting materials, and native pigs, especially for organic practitioners and stakeholders in Central Luzon. Lastly, the project aims to develop and disseminate IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials on organic agriculture and relevant technologies.

        LIST OF SERVICES

        1. Trainings and Information, Education and Communication Materials (IEC) pertaining Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) and Organic Agriculture (OA)
        2. On-station technology demonstration in crops, livestock and organic agriculture production systems
        3. Animal Dispersal through loan program (goat, Native pig and Rabbit)
        4. Distribution of forage planting materials
        5. Distribution of Coffee and Cacao Planting Materials (grafted seedlings)
        6. Distribution organic liquid supplements, organic fertilizer, forage planting materials and native pig to organic agriculture practitioners.

        KEY PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES

        1. Vegetable production in hillyland
        2. Cacao and Coffee production Techno-demo
        3. Dragon Fruit Techno-demo
        4. Accelerated propagation of MD2 Pineapple Techno-demo
        5. Fruit bearing trees production Techno-demo
        6. Native pig production (Babuyang Walang Amoy Concept) Techno-demo
        7. Small Ruminant (Goat) Production Techno-demo
        8. Rabbit production Techno-demo
        9. Forage Production Techno-demo
        10. Organic Inputs Production (Organic Liquid Supplements & Vermicomposting)
        11. Organic Forage Planting Materials Production (Seeds & 3 node cutting system)
        12. Organic Native Pig (Deep bedding system & Organic Feed Formulation)
        13. On-Farm Technology Demonstration of various crops, livestock and organic agriculture technologies
        14. Promotion of traditional rice varieties thru Participatory Varietal Selection

        CONTACT INFORMATION: darforesearchroshillyland@gmail.com