CAD giving out free seedlings, trainings

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD) is willing to provide free seedlings and training to interested city residents for their nursery and gardening.

Interested residents only need to have adequate plot of land to put up a plant nursery or containers for those who do not have enough space but are interested in starting a garden.

“Kung gusto sila pa set up kay kung naa silay garden nga dako-dako sa ilang balay, pwede nato sila adtuon aron tabangan, kay maka-supply man ta og mga seedlings,” said Arlie Gesta, CAD assistant head.

CAD offers seedlings of fruit-bearing trees and ornamental plants like narra, tugas, Indian tree, guyabano, mango, among others.

“Makahatag ta’g daghang fruit trees if gusto ninyo kanang mamunga ug makaon, kay usa man ni sa atong mga programa nga makaingon ta’g pagpahiluna sa atong mga nangawagtang nga kahoy,” Gesta said.

CAD also has seedlings for ornamental plants and flowers as well as medicinal plants and herbs. A maximum of 20 seedlings can be given to those who wish to drop by their nursery while those who wish to have more than 20 may submit a letter request.

“Kung naay mga walk-in moadto [sa city plant nursery], mohatag ra man gyud tag maximum of 20 seedlings. Kung dinaghan gani kaayo, paadtuon nato sa opisina, padad-on lang nato’g request letter,” said Warwin Anadia, CAD agricultural technologist.

Gesta is encouraging barangays to convert areas where its citizens throw their garbage into a mini-garden.

“Gi-encourage nato ang mga barangay nga instead of labayan na’g basura ang area, ilaha nang tamnan,” he said. — (FREEMAN)