The DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) reaps the harvest of its urban gardening project at the agency compound, in the city of Cagayan de Oro on June 16, 2020.

Said crops include, ampalaya, cucumber, red and green lettuce were planted on the first week of April 2020, at DA-RFO 10’s available spaces in response to DA Secretary William D. Dar’s food resiliency program or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa COVID-19.

Also cultivated within the vicinity are pechay, kangkong, eggplant, okra, among others.

The agency’s vegetable garden utilizes recycled and indigenous materials, such as plastic bottles and bamboo culms, which is being showcased to walk-in clients, upon availing veggie seeds from the office for them to replicate in their own homes.

Through the veggie seeds provision, DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado encourages every family to grow vegetables in any of their available spaces or containers, to ensure food security during the current health crisis and community quarantine period.

Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga is also inviting interested groups and individuals to avail of the department’s free vegetable seeds.

As of June 14, a total of 20,363 packets (763.552 kgs) of assorted vegetable seeds were already distributed by DA-10, thru the ALPAS COVID-19 program.# (EMB)