Tuesday, October 27, 2009 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
A TOTAL of 615 hectares are targeted for the production of vegetables for November to December 2009 until the first quarter of 2010 throughout the Davao Region.
The figure is based on the result of the region-wide consultative meeting by the Department and Agriculture (DA)-Davao Region and the Provincial, City and Municipal Agriculturists and High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) program coordinators from Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and Davao City, conducted recently at Felis Resort Complex, Matina Aplaya, Davao City.
Of the total production areas targeted, 163 hectares are located in Davao del Sur, 162 hectares in Compostela Valley, another 118 hectares in Davao del Norte, followed by 107 hectares in Davao City, and 65 in Davao Oriental.
Vegetables to be planted include the pinakbet type, such as squash, okra, ampalaya, eggplant, tomato, upo, pole sitaw, and pepino, and the chopsuey type like cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, carrots and bell pepper, among others.
DA-HVCC regional coordinator Melani A. Provido said the agriculture department will provide the seeds to be planted in the identified areas, through funding from the HVCC Vegetable Enhancement Program
Aside from vegetable seeds, DA-HVCC will also provide seedlings for cacao, coffee, rubber, banana and other HVCC commodities for some areas of the Region.
"Our region is fortunate enough to be spared from typhoons, hence we have to maximize our production capacity in order to supply the massive demand for vegetables and other high value commodities, especially in Metro Manila," Provido said.
"Production, post harvest, and irrigation support will also be given to the different cluster or strategic production areas such as green house units, rain shelter, plastic mulch, seedling tray, power and knapsack sprayers, hauling trucks, mobile packing houses, agri tramlines, small farm reservoirs and drip irrigation systems, among others," Provido said.
"Trainings will likewise be provided for technicians, especially on the integrated pest management of vegetables and other HVCC commodities," Provido said.
On the same occasion, DA-HVCC also turned over to different Provincial and City Agriculturists a unit each of several equipment, such as laptop computer, LCD projector and screen, digital camera, and internet wireless connection device.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on October 28, 2009.
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