CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 2, 2020 – The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program´s first initiative amidst COVID 19 pandemic is the provision of vegetable seeds, which helps Filipinos have access to readily available food in their homes or backyards. In partnership with the High-Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP), a total of fifteen (15) boxes (112.5 kgs) of 5-in-1 (50 grams) and 4-in-1 pack (50 grams) of vegetable seeds through the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Regional Field Office (RFO) 10’s Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) center are distributed to walk-in farmers at DA-RFO 10 compound.
SAAD funded seven (7) boxes of the 5-in-1 pack of vegetable seeds worth Php 123,900. Each pack contains ampalaya, okra, eggplant, sitao, and squash seeds. While the HVCDP covered a box of 5-in-1 pack of sinigang and (7) boxes of 4-in-1 pack of chopsuey and green salad worth Php 156,000.
There were four hundred seventy-three (473) farmers who received the said vegetable packs. Each can have one or two packs maximum.
Those who have planted the seeds right away will be expecting a harvest in two to four months. SAAD staff will make sure to monitor the planting and harvesting of these crops.
ALPAS also called the Plant, Plant, Plant Program of the DA, enables families to attain food security in the different households of the province amidst the current COVID 19 virus outbreak. ###
Writer: Ruth Esther Bermundo, SAAD RPMSO 10 Project Development Officer I
