Main RIARC Profile
Sector: Research

Main REGIONAL INTEGRATED AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER
Brgy. Bagong Silang, Babatngon, Leyte

VISION

A Research and Development network effectively responding to the technological needs for agricultural development of Eastern Visayas.

MANDATE

To orchestrate the Regional Agricultural Research and Development/Extension (RDE) System, generate agricultural technologies, produce quality germplasm and provide technical assistance and laboratory services for the improvement of the living standard and productivity of farmers in Eastern Visayas.

LEAD AGENCIES

Ø       Department of Agriculture

                              Regional Field Unit – VIII

                              Tacloban City

Ø       Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA)

      Baybay, Leyte

COOPERATING AGENCIES

 Local Government Units (LGUs), Agricultural Training Institutes (ATIs) and other State Colleges and Universities (SCUs) or Provincial Technical Institutes for  Agriculture (PTIAs)

GOAL

 To develop the agriculture sector into an equitable, sustainable, environment-friendy and globally competitve industry geared towards a better quality of life for the Eastern Visayan people.

THRUSTS

Ø       Optimizing existing agricultural production system.

Ø       Increasing efficiency of postharvest handling and utilization and value adding of produce through the development of appropriate postharvest and processing technologies.

Ø       Enhancing sustainable utilization of production areas in the region for agricultural productivity.

FUNCTIONS

Ø       Orchestrate or provide leadership to the Regional Research and Development/Extension (RDE) Network for  Agriculture for its establishment and development.

Ø       Harness improved materials or stocks and other research results from the different regional/national/international research centers for commercialization.

Ø       Conduct technology generation or midstream applied research to evolve improved agricultural technology packages for recommendation to farmers in the region.

Ø       Integrate and package information generated from agricultural R & D activities suited to the region.

Ø       Maintain and reproduce quality germplasm for distribution.

Ø       Provide technical assistance and laboratory services for agriculture.

Ø       Develop and maintain an agricultural R & D Information System to linked the National Information Network.

MANPOWER COMPLEMENT 

1.      By Educational Attainment

Ø       Postgraduates                      43%

Ø       BS Graduates                       41%

Ø       Undergraduates                   16%

2.      By Discipline

Ø       Agronomy                            34%

Ø       Social Sciences                    16%

Ø       Animal Sciences                   13%

Ø       Ag. Com & Agribusiness        13%

Ø       Ag. Engineering                      9%

Ø       Plant Pathology                      7%

Ø       Plant Breeding                        6%

Ø       Food Processing                     3%

Ø       Biology                                  3%

Ø       Statistics                               3%

REGIONAL INTEGRATED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT/EXTENSION PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURE 

OTHER INFORMATION

Ø       Year Established                               1964

Ø       Status of Land Ownership                 Government Owned

Ø       Acquired thru                                   The defunct Abaca Development Board

Ø       Land Area                                        29.40 ha

Ø       Availability of:

Communication                          VHF radio transceiver

Potable Water System                Deepwell Pump

                        Electricity                                   Leyte Electric Cooperative (LEYECO)

CLIMATE

1.  Average monthly rainfall                     238 mm

2.  Minimum temperature                        22⁰C

3.  Maximum temperature                       27⁰C

4.  Relative Humidity                               80.70%

5.  Wet months                                      October-February

6.  Dry months                                       March – June

SOIL/LAND FORM

1.  Soil Type/Series                                Clay Loam to Clay

2.  Soil pH                                             5.3 – 6.2

3.  Topography                                      Generally flat with about 2-hectare hilly portion

               4.  Elevation                                          50 ft. above sea level

5.     Soil Analysis

Nitrogen (ppm)                                  2.5 O.M.

Phosphorus  (ppm)                           13 – 33

Potassium  (ppm)                             80

Organic Matter (%)                             1.5 – 2.5

6.  Natural Drainage                               Good

LAND AREA

Total Area                                             29.44 ha

        Research Area                                 7.0 ha

         Production area                            17.9 ha

         Built-up areas                                4.5 ha

BUILDINGS, OTHER INFRASTRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT/FACILITIES

1.       Administration Building

2.       Guest House

3.       Staff Houses

4.       Motorpool and Farm Machinery Building

5.       Seed Processing Plant

6.       Plant Nursery

7.       Pre-and Postharvest Facilities

8.       Irrigation and Drainage System

9.       Electrical & Potable Water System

10.      Road Network, Vehicles, and Communication System

Historical Background

This facility is situated in Brgy. Bagong Silang, municipality of Babatngon, province of Leyte in Region 8.  It is 19 km north of Tacloban City.

This was formerly the Visayas Abaca Experiment Station under the defunct Abaca Development Board, and was established on November 17, 1964.  The main function then was on abaca research and production.  The station  was later transferred to the Bureau of Plant Industry and was renamed as the Eastern Visayas Experiment Station (EVES).

With the integration and reorganization of the then Ministry of Agriculture in 1980,  EVES was then renamed  the Romualdez Experiment Station.  The functions were then expanded into crop research and production of quality seeds and plant materials.  In 1991, the name was changed to EVIARC – Research Outreach Station for Upland Farming Systems Development by virtue of Department A.O. Nos. 6 (DA Stations Rationalization Program)  and 19 (Implementation of RIARCs and ROSes) and its function was broadened to include research and development.

Presently, by virtue of Department Administrative Order Nos. 1 and 9, series of 1999 (Strengthening the RIARCs) this facility was upgraded into the Main RIARC of the Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center.

This former EVIARC-Research Outreach Station for Upland Farming Systems Development, has been upgraded to the Main RIARC of the Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center by virtue of Department Administrative Order Nos. 1 and 9. series of 1999 (Strengthening the RIARCs). 

Contact Persons:

MGR. RUFINO B. AYASO, III
                EVIARC Manager

            Main RIARC
            Brgy. Bagong Silang, Babatngon, Leyte
            Tel/Fax No. (053) 321-3154
            Email: daeviarc@tac. webling.com          

         DIR. LEO P. CAÑEDA, CESO III
            Regional Executive Director
            DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
            Regional Field Unit No. VIII
            Tacloban City
            Tel. No. (053) 321-2024
            Fax No. (053) 325-7242