DA sends over 14,000 kilograms of vegetable seeds to CALABARZON amid COVID-19 threat

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has delivered 14,427 kilograms of vegetable seeds worth over P34.8 million in CALABARZON to sustain food production amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat.

Pechay, mustasa, kangkong, lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, snap beans, radish, and “pinakbet” vegetable seeds were brought to five agricultural program coordinating offices (APCOs) in the region," DA said in a press statement Wednesday.

CALABARZON or Region IV-A includes Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces.

DA said the vegetable seeds will be distributed to different cities and municipalities starting next week.

“The distribution of this intervention will be done through the assistance of the city and municipal agriculture offices,” it added.

This support is part of DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program, according to Field Operations Division Chief and Regional High Value Crops Development Program coordinator Engr. Redelliza A. Gruezo.

The program aims to ensure and sustain food production and availability, and food accessibility and affordability amid the threats of COVID- 19, he said.

“We are doing our best to help prevent shortages and keep local food production going,” Gruezo added.

DA encouraged interested individuals to contact their respective APCOs for details and proper coordination.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar earlier said that “the threat of hunger is as real as the threat of COVID-19.”

“Hence, the government is giving equal priority and attention to continuously expand local food production to avoid potential shortage,” he said.—AOL, GMA News