To cap the week-long celebration of the 1^st High-Value Crops Week, the Department of Agriculture – Caraga turned over 23 trays of assorted lowland vegetable seedlings to Brgy. Fort Poyohon on Friday, April 16.

DA-Caraga Regional Technical Director Rebecca R. Atega said that the activity is also a follow-through of the launching last year of Brgy. Fort Poyohon as a model barangay for urban agriculture. She urged the residents to sustain their urban gardening activities to ensure food availability and security in their households especially at this time of a pandemic.

“I encourage you all to continue to plant more vegetables and fruits in your community so that you can have your own food source for your families” she said.   

Atega also challenged the residents of Brgy. Fort Poyohon to set a good example to other barangays.

On the other hand, Brgy. Chairwoman Archie Palad Golde said that she is thankful for the support of the DA-Caraga and the City Agriculture Office to their barangay.

Golde added that since they have already seen its benefits, more and more residents have continued to grow vegetables in their own backyards.   

The High-Value Crops Week commenced on Monday with a simultaneous nationwide launching. In Caraga,  a series of webinars were conducted and aired on the DA-Caraga Facebook page.

A press conference was also conducted on Thursday wherein High-Value Crops Development Program Coordinator Marco Antonio C. Morido briefed local media partners on the Program’s thrusts and directions.

Also highlighting the press con was the awarding of DA-Caraga Senior Science Research Specialist Tijani B. Auxtero  in recognition of her research contributions on soybeans as well as for her efforts and close coordination with the Institute of Plant Breeding that led to the approval and registration of two Caraga soybean varieties. The Select Manchuria (NSIC 2020 Sy 16) and the Select Tudela Black (NSIC 2020 Sy 17) are traditionally grown in the region.   (Vanessa P. Sanchez / DA 13 –RAFIS)