Public encouraged to eat healthy during pandemic

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 has emphasized the importance of eating healthy fruits and vegetables in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in July, which is “Nutrition Month.”

DA 7 Director Salvador Diputado said there is a need to highlight ways to boost the body resistance amid the health crisis.

“We can’t deny that we remain to be threatened by this pandemic because of the rising number of those affected. That’s why this ‘Nutrition Month’ we want to remind the public to eat healthier to remain stronger in our daily activities,” he said.

Diputado reiterated their call for local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas to implement the “plant, plant, plant program,” which seeks to enhance local food production.

Seedlings of fruit trees have been distributed in municipalities in Bohol, where the DA 7’s major crops research stations are located.

“Our research stations, particularly in Bohol Province, have been instructed to intensify their seedlings production in compliance with (DA) Secretary William Dar’s ‘plant, plant, plant program,’” Diputado said.

He said seedlings will be distributed in different LGUs to raise local agriculture productivity.

He said Secretary Dar directed all DA stations to bolster vegetable and fruit production in all regions as the country battles the pandemic.

Seedlings distributed in Bohol included guyabano and the sweet jackfruit variety produced at the Bohol Experiment Station in Ubay.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año issued Memorandum Circular 2020-080, directing all LGUs to participate in the DA’s “plant, plant, plant program.”

“With this directive of DILG, we can assure that our programs will reach the grassroots with the support of local chief executives. We are grateful to the DILG for this support mechanism,” Diputado said.

Aside from fruit-tree seedlings and vegetable seeds, DA 7’s rice seeds and fertilizer distribution is ongoing in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. (JOB)