A profusion of chili plants at the Agri-Lever farm. Photo by Ernie Esconde
BALANGA CITY — The Bataan provincial government wants all farmers in the province to benefit from the technology offered by Israel to selected ones in Dinalupihan town.
Gov. Albert Garcia said Tuesday that he wanted other farmers in the province to gain the same opportunity given to Dinalupihan farmers.
Agri-Lever Israel has entered into a joint venture agreement with the province of Bataan to set up 10 pilot farms in Dinalupihan. This is under the 1Bataan Agriculture Innovation and Technology Center in the said town.
The technology involves the use of drip irrigation and modern precision farming to ensure bountiful harvest and increase the income of farmers.
The project has a weather station that feeds information on the possibility of rainfall and the amount of water that crops consume.
Every week, personnel of Agri-Lever, farmers and agriculturists meet to discuss the requirements of the plants.
The pilot farm has an area of about one hectare that selected farmers reserve for the planting of chili, tomato, watermelon, eggplant, and squash.
The governor said it was expected that harvest will start in the last week of February until the first week of March this year.
“Katuwang ang ating mga municipal, city at provincial agriculturists, asahan ninyo na sa ating pagnanais na maiangat ang buhay ng bawat mamamayan ng Bataan ay walang maiiwan sa ating nilalayong mas masaganang 1Bataan,” Garcia said.
