SPRING DEVELOPMENT KEYS SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF STRAWBERRY, VEGETABLES

March 8, 2024 Headlines

Annual Strawberry Festival

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet Mayor Romeo Salda said its spring development is vital in sustaining the production of strawberries and semi-temperate vegetables. Salda said water tanks are being established in several barangays namely– Wangal, Bineng, Puguis, Bahong, Alapang, Poblacion, Pico and Betag. The local chief executive disclosed that the Department of Agriculture (DA) -Cordillera has allocated P23-million for its spring development. In fact , the Bureau of Soils, an attached agency of DA made the initial funding on the program.

Some P2.5 million was appropriated by the local municipal council as its counterpart to the program. ‘The municipal government of La Trinidad would like to expressed its gratitude to DACAR for their support in funding our spring development efforts, ‘said Salda, who led other local officials during the opening of the Strawberry Lane, one of the
major events in the capital town’s annual Strawberry Festival celebration. Salda also thanked local farmers, for promoting the annual festival by planting strawberries.

Their resiliency has allowed them to gain significant income , thus, it has generated local revenues. He also expressed his administration gratitude to Benguet State University (BSU) through the utilization of its agricultural areas by local farmers, and by providing technical assistance. To date, a total of 1,120 individuals are in strawberry production, planting a total area of 39 hectares. To further increase production, Salda vowed to also sustained its support to local farmers through distribution of seedlings and farm inputs such as fertilizers. However, some local farmers expressed fear of ‘low production’ in the near future due to the effect of fast-paced land conversion in the this town- popularly known as the ‘Salad Bowl’ and Rose Capital of the country.

Primo Agatep/ABN