330 trained for Gulayan program

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) once again rolls out its support for the establishment of Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) in various schools across the region.

DA 11 Regional Director Ricardo Oñate said the GPP aims to bring food the basic facility for learning, closer to students by establishing vegetable gardens in schools as well as households.

"Harvested vegetables supply the school's feeding program which in turn combats malnutrition," Oñate said.

This year alone, DA through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) has conducted vegetable production training to 350 schools across the Davao region. These include 75 schools in Davao del Norte; 55 schools in the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Davao City; while 35 schools were trained in Davao Occidental.

"The training covers comprehensive topic on vegetable production from land preparation to harvesting including natural farming and production of organic pesticide concoctions and fertilizer production," said Meriel Aglibot, GPP regional focal person.

Aside from training, DA also distributed vegetable seeds, nets, and garden tools.

Aglibot said due recognition will be given to best and sustainable school gardens which include cash prize and other incentives.

"We will start our municipal evaluation both for open field and container gardening categories both for elementary and secondary levels in August. The provincial evaluation and regional evaluation will be in September and October respectively," Aglibot said.