Quezon Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (QARES) allotted an additional one-hectare land in support of the Plant, Plant, Plant program of the Department of Agriculture.
With the aim to have a sustainable production, the station maximized its available area to make space for vegetable production. According to QARES Officer-In-Charge Superintendent Ms. Daisynette D. Manalo, there are continuous farm activities in the station amid COVID-19 restrictions to be able to produce more food that can be given to station’s employees and nearby, needy communities.
Initially, the station allotted 9,350-square meter planting area that now grows tomato, eggplant, pechay, mustard, okra, cowpea, mungbean, pigeon pea, radish, and hot chili bell pepper.
Mr. Emilio M. Mejia, Jr., QARES Research Science Aide, shared that the station is preparing to deploy an additional 8,000 seedlings of tomato, eggplant, and chili pepper. He added that although the said vegetable seedlings are to be planted at the station, farmers or interested individuals are very much welcome to request some for their planting needs.
“The practice of backyard gardening makes every household food-sufficient and self-sufficient in the long run. These local efforts would be helpful in achieving the government’s adequate food level target,” Ms. Manalo said. ● (JAPE, DA-RAFIS)
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