City’s strawberry project in full swing

The city government through the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) under Dr. Brigit Piok has established eight strawberry greenhouses so far in several barangays  in the Summer Capital for livelihood purposes.

She said project implementation commenced  last year with six of the greenhouses funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and two by Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc. (JVOFI) through the initiative of Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Four more similar structures are planned to be erected by the end of this year with suitable areas currently being looked at by the CVAO, Piok said.

She said the city government collaborates with an association located in the barangay where the strawberry greenhouse is erected whose members  are expected to propagate and care for the plants to supplement their livelihoods.

San Andreas and Sweet Charlie are the strawberry varieties used as planting materials in the greenhouses, Piok said.

She said the Mayor met recently with DA Sec. William Dar regarding the possibility of providing more funds  that will sustain the project until next year and beyond.

The Mayor also promised to look for other sources of funding  for the project which is in line with its 15-point agenda specifically strengthening livelihood and entrepreneurial services. — Gaby B. Keith