The La Granja Research and Training Station was established by virtue of the following legislations:

  1. Republic Act No. 2415 dated June 21, 1959 which provides for the establishment of a branch of the UP College of Agriculture in Barrio La Granja, Municipality of La Carlota, Province of Negros Occidental;
  2. Republic Act. No. 3500 which appropriated P750,000.00 for the construction of the buildings and P250,000.00 for the operation and maintenance of said branch;
  3. Both RA No. 2415 and RA No. 3500 were not implemented due to lack of funds;
  4. Proclamation 250 was issued on May 28, 1964 by President DiosdadoMacapagal excluding 288 hectares from the operation of Proclamation No. 34 and reserved it as site of the branch of the UP College of Agriculture.

On March 1, 1970, the 4th Ad Hoc Committee on the Development of La Granja recommended for the establishment of a research and demonstration station named as “UPCA Research and Training Station” with the following defined functions:

  1. 1. To conduct researches, training and extension activities on production, processing, utilization and marketing of crops and livestock
  2. 2. To provide an ecological testing site for varieties and crop practices
  3. 3. To conduct training programs for major practice students of UPLBCA and other agricultural schools in the region

In July 1979, UPLB Chancellor Emil Q. Javier signed the Memorandum of Understanding affiliating the station to the La Granja Agricultural Research Center, a research consortium organized by PCARRD.

Accomplishments

Through the years, the station achieved modest gains and growth in terms of progress and resources. It serves as the testing site of verification trials for upland crops like corn, upland rice, root crops, peanut and mungbean. To answer the needs of the region, the station also conducts crop and livestock diversification studies and other farming systems suitable to farmers conditions. It provides technical assistance, conduct technology demonstration projects in strategic areas, participates in Agro-Trade Fairs and Exhibits, conduct technical skills training, summer field practice and field day. Handouts in different subject matter areas are distributed to facilitate information dissemination.

The Station engages in various agibusiness projects to generate income to support its operations and development programs. These include sugarcane commercial project, upland crops seed production, fruits and ornamentals, tree farming, mushroom spawn production and livestock. These projects are showcases and also serve as training laboratory for agriculture students, technicians, sugarcane farm workers and farmers.

The La Granja Training and Research Station sustains linkages with other agencies and organizations which provide resource support. Some of these agencies are the Philippine Council for Agriculture Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), La Granja Agricultural Research and Development Center (LGARDC), Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARDEC), UPLB Alumni Association Negros Chapter, Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture Research, Regional Field Units, Provincial Veterinary Office, Sugar Regulatory Administration, Philippine CarabaoCenter, and local government units of La Carlota City.

In keeping up with the tradition of excellence and relevance as a research and training station, the LGRTS continues to institute organization reforms, intensify its resource generation capacity through its agribusiness projects and strengthening collaboration with public and private institutions.