By Gwargz P. Monreal, J.O., TSSD, DOLE RO XI

A Harvest Festival was conducted by the San Agustin Pantaron Women’s Association (SAPWA) in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte. High value crops which include tomato, cucumber (pepino), bitter gourd (amplaya) and pepper (atsal) were ready for the “Pick and Pay” activity. 

SAPWA is a livelihood beneficiary of Department of Labor and Employment XI under its Davao del Norte Field Office. Along with other associations farming high valued crops, the SAPWA project is a result of partnership between DOLE XI, Dana Foundation, Inc., Municipal Agriculture Office of Sto. Tomas, and NEH Philippines, Inc. 

DOLE XI Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante, in his message said that he was very happy being invited to grace the activity, being a farmer himself also, and a graduate of agriculture in college. 

He said that high value crops are one of the agricultural products contributing to the economy of the country. He stressed that farming vegetables, if given the right technical application would really give a better income to farmers. “The importance of soil management must be given importance at first. Soil analysis. Soil treatment and recovery must be given priority to ensure a productive farming.”, he said. 

He ended his message by inspiring the members of the association to focus and increase profit to qualify for financial enhancement from the Department of Labor and Employment. 

The DOLE Team that joined RD Agravante in visiting the vegetable farm were Ma. Lourdes J. Gonzales, Chief, BWSC WEIDD; Lina A. Talingting, Chief, DOLE DNFO; Lalaine Apugan, LEO III of DOLE DNFO and some DNFO Livelihood staff.