LICAB, Nueva Ecija – The Israeli government delivers an unconventional relief to farmers who suffered from the massive floods caused by the recent typhoons – a technology for alternative crops, the town’s chief executive said.
Israeli Ambassador Menashe Bar-on made his first official duty outside Makati office by visiting this northeastern Nueva Ecija town to lay down programs for establishing a Vegetable Seedling Nursery, Mayor Willy Domingo said.
The project that includes nursery seedling benches and varieties of vegetable seeds, among others, provides an opportunity to local farmers find alternative crops that will alter the “by chance” cycle of rice production.
“In my four years as mayor, I found my constituents ups in two years and downs in two,” said Domingo citing the damage brought by Typhoon “Ondoy” in 2009, then “Pedring” and “Quiel” recently. “I believe, it’s time for our farmers to look for an alternative, where there is a better chance of earning,” the mayor said.
Dr. Eugene Baltazar, division chief for Training and Research, and Dr. Quirino dela Cruz, director of the Research Office of Central Luzon State University, said the program extended by the Israeli government will be reinforced with trainings for farmers.
“CLSU will provide the requisite training and supervision relative to the operation of the project,” Domingo said.
The Maligaya-type nursery greenhouse, described as a high-tunnel type of protective structure, will be used to produce quality vegetable seedling whole year round.
“It will also be available to local farmers to improve food production, food security and income,” he added.
The facility which measures 18 meters x 3.3 x 2.4 meters big is made up of GI pipes, Taiwan-made super fine net 24 mesh, ultra violet treated plastic roofing film, and shade net.
The embassy will also donate zero-maintenance seedling benches with 1/2 inch GI pipe support structure, seedling trays, bags, and various vegetable seeds, including herbs for food and health.
