DA-BPI is giving away seeds and seedlings for free! All you need to do is ask

Food security has become one of the top priorities now that the world is going through the COVID-19 pandemic.

More and more people are now realizing the benefits of growing your own food at home. Thus, more people have become interested in starting their own urban garden or edible garden.

DA-BPI encourages everyone to #PlantPlantPlant. | Source: BureauOfPlantIndustry (FB)

So, if you're one of them and you are looking for seeds or seedlings, then you're in luck. Because the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) is giving away seeds or seedlings for free!

All you need to do is accomplish the DA-BPI request form on their website.

Take note that the request form is only for inidividuals/households. Groups or organizations who wish to request for numerous seeds for multiple benificairies, need to send a letter of request addressed to the Bureau Director George Y. Culaste, Ph.D., and send via e-mail to bpi.directorsoffice@yahoo.com, copy furnished: bpi.ado.regulatoryoperations@gmail.com.

Relevant information should be indicated in the letter of request, such as list of beneficiaries, contact details, and name of program (if applicable).

Each individual/household will be given one set, which contains 5 packets.

Each packet contains the subsequent estimated number of seeds, enough for a 50-100 sq. m. plot:

Pechay - 500
Mustard - 600
Okra - 30
Upland Kangkong - 35
Tomato - 140
Eggplant - 80
Upo - 12
Ampalaya - 6-7
Bush Sitao - 20

NCR residents may have the seeds delivered via Lalamove, Grab, or any other courier service, and should shoulder the delivery fee. Or, the seeds can be picked-up personally at BPI-Malate or BPI-QC.

For those outside of NCR, your requests will be endorsed to the DA-Regional Field Offices (RFOs) in your region, and they will be the ones who will coordinate with you.

Keep in mind that the seeds to be distributed are subject to availability, so you may receive a different one in lieu of your preferred seeds.

The DA-BPI will notify you once the seeds are ready for delivery or pick-up. For follow-ups or other concerns, you may contact them at the following numbers: 8525-73-13, 0961-053-4838, 0961-534-4831, or 0956-524-5187.

So, what are you waiting for? Go fill up the request form so you can start planting soon. Enjoy!

For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

And for updates on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine, visit GMA's COVID-19 page and ECQ page.

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