Nueva Ecija carabao center model of farm tourism

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in this city is the perfect template for showcasing farm tourism in the country, according to Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Villar, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture, said that the PCC has the amenities for farm tourism to attract visitors for educational and recreational purposes.

Speaking at the PCC’s 24th anniversary celebration here recently, Villar said that the center has its own processing plant for carabao milk and an outlet where processed products from farm cooperatives are sold.

Villar told some 500 farmers, employees and representatives from various agencies that the PCC has big potential for tourism and agri-business.

Former president Benigno Aquino II signed Republic Act 10816, or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, on May 16 last year.

Under the new law, a Farm Tourism Development Board shall be established to formulate plans and programs for the development and promotion of farm tourism in the country and shall set the overall direction for the implementation of the Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan.

There are over 100 farm-tourism sites in the country.