CEBU CITY, Cebu, June 23 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 7 urged local farmers in Central Visayas to diversify their crop production to stabilize their food stocks and help improve the overall productivity of the agricultural sector in the region.

According to DA7, the practice of cultivating more than one variety of crops is one way of addressing food security issues as it increases the level of food production by incorporating more plant products in the farms.

They encouraged farmers to not just plant rice and corn but also consider growing other high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables. 
They also asked coconut farmers to plant cacao in promoting crop diversification.

“Ang atong goal diri is ma-secure ang pagkaon, that is why gina-encourage nato sa ilaha ang crop diversification. We want to ensure food security at the same time we are also addressing the food safety concerns,” said Dr. Wilberto Castillo, regional technical director for Research and Regulations of DA7 during the Kapihan sa PIA interview on June 22.

To also promote agricultural development and support the farmers, the agriculture department implemented various key interventions through their “Plant, Plant, Plant” program which provides production support by distributing hybrid corn, rice and vegetables seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs such as tractors, machineries, and farm equipment.

DA7 also helps several farmer groups by providing financial assistance and other subsidies to improve their agricultural output and offers logistical support in transporting the agricultural products to the consumers.

“We are enticing everyone, especially the youth, to go on farming and engage aning crop diversification since importante kaayo ang agriculture sa atong society kay kung wala ang agriculture, wala kitay makaon,” added Castillo. (RGC)