High Value Vegetables!

DA OPENS 10,0000-HECTARE NEW

VEGETABLE AREA IN BUKIDNON

By Manny Piñol

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will pour funding, resources and technical support to a group vegetable farmers in Talakag, Bukidnon to develop an estimated 10,000 hectares of high-elevation fertile lands overlooking Lake Lanao.

A private seeds and high value vegetable production company Harbest owned by businessman Arsenio “Toto” Barcelona will be engaged by the DA to undertake the training and education of farmers in modern technology.

The discovery of the vast area with potentials for vegetable production happened two weeks ago when a group of vegetable farmers from the town participated in the TienDA Bohol Fish Market launching in Tagbilaran City.

Passing by the booth of the farmers where they sold large Broccolis and Lettuce heads as large as Cabbages, I was amazed at the quality of vegetables that they were selling.

The farmers told me that they are presently cultivating about 1,000 hectares for vegetables and asked for DA’s help in expanding to an estimated 10,000 hectares.

Talakag is a remote mountain town of Bukidnon near the boundary of Lanao del Sur where roads have just been opened.

In response to the request of the farmers, I have directed Undersecretary for High Value Crops Evelyn Laviña, Undersecretary for Agribusiness Gabriel La Viña and Director Carlene Collado of DA Region 10 to deliver the needed support and inputs.

Small tractors with rotavators will be dispatched to the area to immediately start the development of the new vegetable farms.

Toto Barcelona of Harbest will also be engaged to teach farmers modern vegetable growing technology and provide seeds.

The Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) will also provide funding support for the farmers.

By mid-2019, the Talakag Area is expected to be a new major source of high value vegetables needed to stabilize the price and assure sufficient supply in the market.

#BiyahengBukidWorksWonders!

#EngagingFarmersFirstHand!

(Photo of the large Broccolis and Lettuce with Talakag, Bukidnon farmers was taken by Alan Jay Jacalan during the launching of the TienDA Bohol Fish Market. The map of Talakag town was downloaded from public websites.)