The Department of Agriculture turned over a newly-constructed greenhouse that will serve as a nursery for strawberry runner production to a local farmers’ group in Irisan, Baguio City.
Agriculturist II Marcelina Tabelin of the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) said the 245-square meter structure, costs P543,244 and was fully funded by the DA under its under its High-value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).
The project was granted to the Granjero de Oeste Organization, a group of small-scale farmers in Irisan barangay chosen by the CVAO.
The group was chosen based on its availability of land where the greenhouse will be constructed and stability and proper management of the organization.
Tabelin said four more greenhouses are targeted to be built under the DA program later this year at Mt. Sto. Tomas Central barangay and will be turned over to two farmers groups in the area to bolster the city’s strawberry industry.
The organizations are expected to propagate the strawberry seedlings or runners that will then be sold at reasonable prices to the public. Earnings will primarily benefit the families of farmers who are members of the group, Tabelin said.
Strawberry runners to be propagated are of the San Andreas variety, which ripens faster and has a longer fruiting season than other varieties. – Gaby B. Keith
