43 members of the Homestead Farmer's Association (HFA) of Barangay Lourdes, Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro recently received various benefits under the Buhay sa Gulay project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Among those awarded to the HFA were seed crops, fertilizers, and other support services from DAR and the Department of Agriculture (DA), while the local government provided a water pump with suction hose, 300 meters from P.E. Pipe and duct hose. Mayor Cesar Tria said the HFA will continue to rely on the help of his office, in case the organization needs it.

Vegetable Life, according to Nomer Sebastian, OIC- Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer, is a timely program that aims to supply food to beneficiaries, especially now that there is a pandemic. He said it also supports the Zero Hunger Program led by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.

Sebastian also said that the said project is based on a program that has been successfully implemented in Tondo, Manila, Quezon City, as well as in the sister province of Oriental Mindoro. "Apart from the fact that you already have food available, you can also sell extra vegetables to your neighbors," the official said.

Sebastian further explained that in order to further ensure the success of the program, some agencies have had convergence. He said LGU Magsaysay is cooperating with the DAR, as well as DA-Mimaropa.

The aforementioned Buhay sa Gulay project is a first in the province and Sebastian hopes that there will be a similar program in other Agrarian Reform Communities in the province.

Photo Credit: LGU Magsaysay