NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) -- The local government of Naval has extended support to its farmers in order to produce low-priced onions and other agricultural products.
Municipal Agriculture Office chief Laurence Mangco disclosed that Naval LGU is currently providing seeds and farm inputs to 12 local growers and farmers from barangays Villa Consuelo, Capinahan, Cabungaan, and Haguikhican.
These beneficiaries were trained before the implementation of the program on how to grow onions and other vegetables using balanced fertilization and on proper accounting and marketing practices to sustain their livelihood.
The local agriculture office is planning to increase local growers for possible crop rotation and sustainability of the supply.
Naval Mayor Gretchen Stephanie Espina pushed the program to encourage local growers to produce more agricultural commodities so that they can offer fresh and cheap farm produce to Navaleños, according to Mangco.
Espina also encouraged Navaleños to support local farmers and growers by buying their produce, he added.
Instead of selling agri-products sourced from outside suppliers at high prices, the local government of Naval launched on December 30, 2023, during its “Tabo” Day the program Dasig Lokal (Baratong Sibuyas Para sa Navaleño) featuring other locally-grown agricultural products, said Mangco, in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency.
PIA Biliran Information Officer Mary Lailani Tupaz interviews Naval Municipal Agriculture Officer Laurence Mangco on the “Dasig Lokal” program of the LGU. (Photo by PIA-Biliran)
Initiated by the Municipal Agricultural Services Office (MASO), Dasig Lokal aims at preparing for an impending shortage of onions at sky-high prices, supporting local agriculture growers to provide fresh and cheap agricultural products to Navaleños, and boosting the local economy, Mangco shared.
The “Tabo” venue located outside the Naval Gymnasium in the vicinity of the Organic Trading Post (OTP) area was provided with stalls used by farmers, particularly the identified growers, who sold their fresh harvests of onions at P170 per kilo; carrots at P40 per kilo; eggplants at P50 per kilo; lettuce at P300 per kilo; bell pepper at P150 per kilo; and okra at P10 per pack of 7-11 pieces depending on sizes.
The featured agricultural products that are locally grown are sold at a lower price during “Tabo” on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Naval Organic Trading Post. (Photo by PIA-Naval)
Aside from the featured farm commodities, other fresh and cheap agricultural produce remains available during “Tabo” Day on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Local growers offered these commodities at a much lower price compared with those on the market because of the assistance and other farm inputs extended by the LGU, aside from their proximity to the market and its consumers. (MMP/MLT/PIA Biliran)
