The Search for Research...

“Good morning!” We were greeted by Ma’am Kleng, one of our mentors and the Chief of the FTSD (Farm Technology and Services Department) office where we were assigned to work with our research. “Here are your desks.” She showed us the two office tables that were not there last week. I, personally, was amazed by their overwhelming hospitality. We were so grateful that we are working with them through this immersion program. Ma'am Kleng got the chance to introduce me to the NTA-Ilocos Branch Manager, Sir Mario E. Corpuz.

I also had the chance to talk to some staff regarding the company, as well as, the nature of their work. According to them, the FTSD is part of the Central office to which all the NTA branches forward some specific reports. They were unselfish to share information vital to my chosen research area. That week, the office arranged a trip for us to visit the farmers in their real-world situation. The trip was made at their own expense, and that was another thing that we are so thankful of. They let us interview the farmers on how they record their activities from land preparation, planting, harvesting and even up to the marketing of their tobacco products. These recorded activities are filled-in to the form provided by the office with the assistance of an extension worker. Such records are important because it will be used in some critical decisions by the management. We learned that the office also assist the farmers in planting rice and other cash crops after tobacco season to help augment their daily needs. This is also to ensure that the farmers will use specific planting techniques that will not degrade the tobacco plants in the next planting season.

The torch of the sun did not prevent us to do our task. We traversed long and winding roads but that experience made us feel we are an integral part of the company. We learned a lot from the farmers, especially their lives and livelihood. With that, my search for Research came to an end… I can now start pressing my laptop’s keyboard.