Veggie, flower growers post P70M income

CEBU City’s agricultural sector earned about P70 million last year, the City Agriculture Office reported.

But City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon said the income could still go up, as the P70 million only covers the earnings from vegetable and flower growers.

Of the total amount, Baclayon said, at least P50 million came from vegetable farms while the remaining P20 million was turned in by flower growers.

He said he hopes that the income of the city’s farmers will still increase this year.

But Baclayon told Sun.Star Cebu that the planting of vegetables and flowers, among others, has been delayed due to rain.

Grant

Meanwhile, the City agriculture office has received a grant of P3.7 million from the National Government through the Bureau of Post-harvest Research and Extension.

Baclayon said the amount covers the purchase of two agricultural tramlines that will help make hauling of produce easier. The equipment, he added, will be installed in Barangays Tagbao and Sudlon I.

As this developed, City Hall will award 10 outstanding farmers during the 74th Charter Day of Cebu City on Feb. 24.

To be considered for the award, the farmers need to be involved in actual farming for at least two years, must be solely dependent on farming for livelihood and engage in diverse farming methods.

Nominees

Baclayon said the City is already finalizing the list of nominees for the most outstanding department head, assistant department head and employees of City Hall.

The City has named 13 individuals as nominees for the most outstanding department heads, nine for the most outstanding assistant department head and 97 for the most outstanding employee.

The 74th Charter Day of the city will be celebrated with the theme, “Cebu City at 74: Deeply Rooted, Standing Firm, Reaching High.”