Looking for a green escape from the bustling metro? Los Baños, Laguna is offering an agricultural experience with a hint of science and technology at the Los Baños Seeds and Seedlings (S&S) Plaza. Relax within the beautiful garden landscapes while learning the latest farming practices and agribusiness opportunities.
The S&S Plaza is a project of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BPI) to bring agriculture-based technologies and knowledge closer to the people. The project is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) under the program Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism (SciCAT).
Since 2018, the S&S Plaza has become one of Los Baños’ agrotourism attractions that serves as a one-stop-shop for farmers, entrepreneurs, students, and enthusiasts. The Plaza offers packages of technologies that will boost crop production and quality produce. These technologies are highly recommended for those who want to venture into organic lowland vegetable production, urban agriculture, renewable energy, edible gardening designs, and more.
The S&S Plaza also operates as a learning hub serving training and materials for farm production. It offers both on-site and online training. Among its popular courses are the training on Dragon fruit Production, Fruit-Vegetable Grafting Technology, and Vermiculture and Vermicomposting Technologies.
With its beautiful landscape, the S&S Plaza also serves as a venue for meetings, weddings, and birthdays, baptismals, Christmas, and other parties.
The S&S Plaza also highlights its capabilities of producing 18,482 seedlings of herbs and ornamental foliage. These seedlings were used to maintain the Plaza’s operation while some were distributed to local stakeholders and beneficiaries. Meanwhile, from 2021 to 2022, a total of 219.4 kg of leafy vegetables and 126.97 kg of lowland vegetables were harvested, of which, 151.15 kg of both kinds of vegetables were sold generating an income of P10,045.00.
According to the project leader, the S&S Plaza is a testament to a promising agri-tourism industry in the country and the role of science and technology in maximizing its potential. Furthermore, the SciCAT approach has a high potential in reaching technology adopters and users.
Moving forward, the S&S Plaza aims to support more farmers and ensure its sustainability. Efforts to get assistance and accreditation from the Department of Tourism are on the way. Collaboration with DOST-PCAARRD for the next phase of the project is also ongoing.
The said DA-BPI-led project is an entry for the Best Development Paper and was presented during the National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) held on October 2, 2024. Winners of the award will be conferred during the DOST-PCAARRD’s 2024 S&T Awards and Recognition ceremony in November 2024.
NSAARRD, annually spearheaded by DOST-PCAARRD, recognizes outstanding R&D contributions in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector in the country.