ILOILO CITY – The public has been encouraged to plant vegetables as one way of ensuring food security and supporting the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Laban sa Covid-19 (ALPAS) or Plant, Plant, Plant Program.
“Families are encouraged to plant vegetables using available spaces in their backyard or through improvised containers to address food security during this time of health crisis while most of us are staying in our homes,” DA 6 (Western Visayas) executive director, Remelyn Recoter, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday.
The DA has allotted PHP2.6 million for the procurement of vegetable seeds under ALPAS. Since it is still in the procurement process, the target is to distribute the seeds until May 18.
However, the DA High-Value Crops Program has provided 9,473 packets or 251 kg. of assorted vegetable seeds to individuals and groups in the region since it began distribution on April 2.
To inspire the public to plant, the regional office initiated the “Binhi Ko, Tanom Ko, Post Ko” campaign where those who availed of vegetable seeds from the DA are encouraged to post in their social media account pictures of the seeds or the status of their planting activities.
They can use #postyourown veggies and tag the DA - Regional Agri-Fishery Information Division (RAFID) RFO VI Facebook Account.
“Social media is a promising approach to reach our people, to inspire them or get them involved towards a good cause,” Recoter added.
Those who would like to avail of seeds may get in touch with their nearest agriculture office or the nearest DA Outreach Station.
In a previous interview, Recoter expressed her hope that local government units (LGUs) would include vegetable products in the relief assistance for their constituents.
She said this is possible because under the Bayanihan Act and with the national health emergency, they are already allowed to use their calamity funds.
“In their food packs, instead of sardines and noodles, hopefully, there are variations,” Recoter said, adding that vegetables can boost the immune system.
She expressed hope that the LGUs would procure the produce of their farmer-constituents so they still have income amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, based on available data, Recoter said Western Visayas remains sufficient in rice, livestock, and chicken.
Rice harvest from January to February and the March projection was at 410,000 metric tons while the region’s quarterly demand is only 262,000 metric tons.
The region is 156 percent rice sufficient, she said.
On the other hand, Western Visayas had a 250-percent sufficiency level in terms of hogs in 2019.
Based on the hog inventory in January, the per capita consumption monthly is less than 1 kg., she said.
The available supply is at 28,000 metric tons and the annual demand is 5,000 metric tons.
“Since there are no more tourists, we have sufficient supply of pork, more than 80 percent of our swine industry is being grown in backyards,” Recoter said.
She said the region has 10,234 metric tons of chicken supply as of the end of March and has plenty of poultry integrators and large poultry farms. (PNA)
* Stay at Home and START YOUR OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at
www.wirenine.comLinkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=101002.0
