DA prepares for wet season planting

FILE: Agriculture Secretary William Dar gives an update on the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law during the press briefing held at the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) in Quezon City on Monday (Feb. 24, 2020). (PNA photo by Oliver Marquez)

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture is enhancing its preparations for the wet cropping season this June.

During a Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the department will cover an estimated total area of 2.5 million hectares for wet season planting.

“We will cover almost 2.5 million hectares and with the intent to really improve the yield per hectare from the present coverage of four metric tons and with good agricultural practices and with the addition of fertilizer, we hope to get more harvest and eventually to increase the profits of our farmers,” Dar said.

Dar noted that the agency has tapped local government units (LGUs) across the country to extend assistance to local farmers in preparing for the peculiarities of the season.

“We have instructed our regional field offices to accelerate their coordination with LGUs and implement what they can this wet planting season,” he said.

He said the government would also pursue the “Plant, Plant, Plant Program” or “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa Covid-19” program to benefit farmers, fishers and consumers.

Dar said the program aims to increase the country’s food adequacy level during the emergency situation resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our message is really to continue this, especially now in times of crisis, we have a supply of vegetables and fruits on top of what we can buy from the market,” he said.

“In all areas, Plant, Plant, Plant has become the banner program of DA that will apply to crops, livestock, poultry, and piggeries,” he added.