DA giving away free seeds to NCR residents to ensure food security amid COVID-19

Free vegetable seeds are being distributed to Metro Manila residents so that they can start urban gardening and grow their own food amid the enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 health crisis, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Monday.

"Number one objective is to ensure household food security. Pangalawa, kung may community agriculture o community gardening, 'yung maluwang-luwang na parte, para may ibebenta ang komunidad sa merkado. May dagdag na supply, kikita pa," Dar said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Ongoing na po ang pamimigay ng seeds," he added.

The Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) are in charge of the distribution of seeds in Metro Manila, according to Dar.

"May mga telepono at cellphone ang BPI at ATI, tatawag lang at sila na ang pupunta sa villages dito sa Metro Manila," he said.

Agriculture spokesperson Noel Reyes earlier said that the BPI may be reached through 09160534831 or 09565245187.

The entire Luzon and other parts of the country are under an enhanced community quarantine until April 30 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier this month, over 14,000 kilograms of vegetable seeds worth over P34.8 million were delivered to DA's regional offices in Calabarzon to sustain food production while the country continues to grapple with COVID-19. --Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News