PhilRice experts accommodated the visiting team through video showing and discussion, laboratory tour and field tour on its latest efforts to bolster the country's rice industry.
The travel likewise exposed the participants to King Louis Flower and Plant Farm, an area in Baguio City where the best hydrangea blooms and several roses, tulips, daisies and carnations are grown. The team thought of reproducing some of the species in barangay Mayana back home.
An arranged visit to the Benguet State University (BSU) created awareness and encouragement among the Jagna visitors to get really involved in organic farming.
The said institution launched its BSU Organic Market very recently which started the implementation of the BSU Internal Guarantee System first to the BSU production projects then to other areas of the university and farms that would accept and follow Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in general and organic farming following the organic standards set by the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement.
They were ushered to the different organic vegetables, animals, processed products and grafted seedlings of the BSU organic market.
A quick visit to the strawberry farm in Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet was also made.
Aside from the various onsite visits to organic practicing areas, the team was able to meet local and national officials such as the “Centennial Mayor of Baguio City” Hon. Reinaldo Bautista Jr. and Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap at his national headquarters in Quezon City which capped the 5-day benchmarking.

 OTIUM CUM DIGNITATE (Leisure with Dignity): That even though the LGU-Jagna and LIGA officials & employees are having leisure time, that doesn't mean that they aren't still learning or thinking. Top photo shows Mayor Exuperio Lloren receiving the Certificate of Appreciation from Baras, Rizal Mayor Wilfredo Robles for the interactive learning experience on organic farming. A photo operation (picture below) is done by the participants after gaining insights on innovative programs of the PhilRice in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. (photos MPIO)