31K individuals served by the DA’s PPPP seed distribution

May 9, 2020 Metro BLISTT

Baguio City – Through the Plant, Plant, Plant Program (PPPP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), more than 31, 000 individuals throughout the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been served through the distribution of 4,485.11 kilogram of assorted vegetable seeds as of May 5, 2020 – less than two months since the seed distribution began on March 17.
The DA-CAR through its High Value Crops and Development Program (HVCDP) instituted the seed distribution to ensure food production, availability, and accessibility for households across the region amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The seeds include pole beans, French beans, garden pea, bell pepper, squash, lettuce, pechay, eggplant, cabbage, spinach, kangkong, tomato, and okra.
To ensure that the PPPP reaches as many beneficiaries as possible in the region, DACAR partners with local government units (LGUs) to advocate the PPPP to farmers, local communities, farmer associations, private sectors, other line agencies, and interested individuals.
In Baguio City, as well, the Department continues to support the Urban Agriculture Program. Baguio resident, Juliet Butigan said that through the program, she will produce vegetables to augment her family’s needs; even as together they learn to value farmers and also learn to produce their own food.
Cresencia Tagart, from Kapangan, Benguet said that the program improves their daily routine during the ECQ. “We are able to appreciate the farmers and the process of farming through this program,” she added.
To support the home gardening efforts of those who avail of the free seeds, DA CAR provides reading materials on planting vegetables. These contain information on the soil, water, fertilizer and other requirements of each vegetable.
DA-CAR HVCDP Focal Person Joan D. Bacbac assures the continuous supply of vegetable seeds in the region during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
As such, distribution of seeds continues on Tuesdays and Fridays at the DA-CAR, BPI Compound, Guisad, Baguio City until May 15, 2020 or until the ECQ is lifted.//Herman Danis