TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- To promote vegetable production in public elementary and secondary schools, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist - Surigao del Sur (OPAG-SDS) recently launched the Gulayan sa Paaralan Agricultural Youth to Enhance Knowledge on Vegetable Production (GP-AYEK) program in Surigao del Sur.

Accordingly, the schools will establish campus gardens to serve as food baskets or sources of vegetables to sustain the school feeding program.

OPAG-SDS,on the other hand, will spearhead the implementation of the program and provide the production inputs such as seeds, organic fertilizers, and garden tools, including the  conduct of trainings.

Some 350 school heads, school nurses, Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) coordinators, and High-Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP) coordinators from the different municipalities/cities of Surigao del Sur attended the launching activity cum training on vegetable gardening and nursery establishment, held in five different venues from August 15 to 25, 2023.

Provincial Coordinator of the HVCDP Vincent Escosa explained that GP-AYEK program aims to address malnutrition among school children by promoting the production of healthy and nutritious food. It will also inculcate among the students the values of farming and care for the environment.

Governor Alexander T. Pimentel affirmed his support for the project saying that agriculture, nutrition, and education are priority thrusts of his administration.

The provincial government will also help in the implementation and monitoring of the program through its extension workers and will provide prizes and assistance. (OPAg-SDS/NGPB, PIA-Surigao del Sur)