The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is cultivating 10,000 hectares for vegetable production in Bukidnon to stabilize prices of high-value vegetables such as broccoli and lettuce in the domestic market.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol made the pronouncement in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday. Piñol said the government is prepared to assist vegetable farmers in the province to expand their output.
“The DA will extend funding, resources and technical support to a group of vegetable farmers in Talakag, Bukidnon, to develop an estimated 10,000 hectares of high-elevation fertile lands overlooking Lake Lanao,” he said.
Piñol said the DA will partner with private seeds company Harbest Agribusiness Corp., which is owned by Arsenio Barcelona, to train farmers on modern farming technologies. He said Harbest will also provide them with vegetable seeds.
“The discovery of the vast area with potentials for vegetable production happened two weeks ago when a group of vegetable farmers from the town participated in the TienDA Bohol Fish Market launching in Tagbilaran City,” Piñol said.
“Passing by the booth of the farmers where they sold large broccolis and lettuce heads as large as cabbages, I was amazed at the quality of vegetables that they were selling,” he added.
Piñol said the farmers sought the help of DA to expand their farms to 10,000 hectares. At present, he said the Bukidnon-based vegetable farmers are cultivating about 1,000 hectares.
“In response to the request of the farmers, I have directed DA officials to deliver the needed support and inputs,” he said. “Small tractors with rotavators will be dispatched to the area to immediately start the development of the new vegetable farms.”
The agriculture chief said the Agricultural Credit Policy Council will also extend loans to farmers. However, Piñol did not disclose any amount or figure.
“By mid-2019 the Talakag area is expected to be a new major source of high-value vegetables needed to stabilize the price and assure sufficient supply in the market,” he said.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that as of August 21, the price of high-value vegetables being sold in Metro Manila, such as cabbage and carrots, recorded double-digit increases on an annual basis.
PSA figures showed that the price of cabbage went up by 25 percent to P100 per kilogram, from P80 per kg recorded on August 22, 2017. Carrots were also more expensive as the prevailing price rose by 50 percent to P120 per kg, from P80 per kg recorded a year ago.
Image credits: Mau Victa