DA-7 Starts Rehab Programs in Calamity-Hit Areas

The Department of Agriculture (DA-7) has started its rehabilitation programs in agricultural areas in the region hard-hit by the earthquake and typhoon.

DA-7 Regional Technical Director Marina Hermoso said they have already launched the rehab programs, both short-term (until May next year) and long-term (until) 2015, which are aimed to normalize the agriculture industry in northern Cebu and the rest of the region.

Hermoso said part of the programs is to give aid to farmers by providing them farm tools, vegetable seeds and fruit seedlings so that they could start with farming again.

Hermoso said that as for this rainy season, they have distributed corn seeds to the farmer-beneficiaries, who were given withdrawal slips to claim their seeds.

Meanwhile, Hermoso said areas like Camotes Island will also be provided with vegetable seeds. The DA official said typhoon Yolanda destroyed a vast area of vegetable plantations in the island and they hope that with the free seeds they have provided, everything will be back to normal soon.

Hermoso also said the northern Cebu’s mango plantation was also affected by Yolanda, hence, the department will also give at least 40,000 mango seedlings to the farmers in the hope to revive the industry.