Biliran gov leads vegetable planting

By Flordelis E. Jackson

Tuesday 3rd of July 2012

NAVAL, Biliran, July 3 (PIA) -- The governor of Biliran led a vegetable planting at the demo farm beside the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS) at the provincial capitol compound on July 2.

Governor Gerardo J. Espina Jr. led the activity, which is the kick-off of the series of activities prepared by the Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC). It is part of the celebration of Nutrition Month centered on the theme, “Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain!”

Provincial Agriculturist Jaime Casas said in an interview that Biliran Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Alfonso Veneracion, Department of Health (DOH)-Biliran representative Dr. Salvacion Salas, capitol employees, government offices’ heads and PNC officers and members joined the governor in filling up 12 big plots at the demo farm.

“With the governor leading in the planting of vegetables at the demo farm, this will inspire more Biliran farmers who visit the OPAS regularly for consultation on modern technology on vegetable production, to plant more vegetables for the consumption of the Biliranons,” Casas said.

“The provincial government of Biliran through Governor Espina strongly promotes vegetables in the daily diet of every Biliranon,” he added.

Casas said that the demo farm was planted with some 700 vegetable seedlings of different varieties such as ampalaya, pechay, tomatoes, kangkong, and eggplant.

“Planting at the capitol demo farm will be done continuously to ensure a year-round and adequate supply of vegetables,” he said.

The PNC will also conduct a series of fora through the Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs) of the eight municipalities of Biliran province to convince mothers to make vegetables always part of the family meal.

During the fora, mothers will also be taught how to grow a family garden with the help of the children in gardening because children appreciate the food served to them if they know how these vegetables were grown and prepared. (EOT/FEJ-PIA8 Biliran)