Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Seed subsidy to boost veggie production By Jane Cadalig
PRODUCTION of high-value commercial crops is seen to increase with the provision of seed subsidy to 778 Benguet farmers.
About 305 hectares of farmlands in Benguet are expected to produce the commodities identified by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to stabilize prices and ensure supply in the Metro Manila markets.
Seven municipalities were recently given about 146.8 kilos of seeds for the production of potatoes, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage and lettuce.
The towns of Atok, Buguias, Bakun, Tuba, Kabayan, Kibungan and Mankayan were tapped as the production sites for the commodities, as part of government's vegetable production enhancement project in fulfillment of its food security project.
Agriculturists in Benguet said the identification of farmers tapped in the program is based on their acceptability towards the program.
DA-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Executive Director Cesar Rodriguez earlier said some imported varieties of potatoes from Canada, were also set to be tested for planting in the province to further enhance the propagation of the commodity.
He said plant quarantine clearance for the imported crops is already approved by the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Also distributed to Benguet farmers recently were 4,749 bags of organic fertilizers.
