DA allocates P358-M for vegetable program
by Prix D Banzon
Davao City (9 February) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expanding its vegetable programs and is allocating P358 million this year.
About 11,000 hectares of land is being targeted for the planting of vegetables to reach its 9.7 percent Gulayan program this year.
Of the total budget for the program, P154.14 million will go to production support services; P25.37 million to market development, P640,000 to help facilitate credit for vegetable growers, and P25.713 million to irrigation development services.
Postharvest development will get P61.319 million, extension, support, education and training services, P54.781 million, research and development, P3.93 million, regulatory services, P17.43 million, and policy, planning and advocacy services, P14.54 million.
The DA's existing program under the Gulayan initiative this year will cover 7,541 hectares while the government's Hunger Mitigation Program will encompass another 1,133 hectares.
Along with this program is the distribution of 35,022 kilograms of vegetable seed to attain its target.
DA Secretary Arthur Yap in a press statement said they will not only provide seeds, but will also establish more production facilities repair and restore irrigation system and set up postharvest equipment near vegetable growing areas. (PIA) [top]
