To enhance ginger production in the Philippines by improving yields and reducing import reliance, the Department of Agriculture-High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) distributed 100 pieces of high-quality, disease-free ginger seedlings to local farmers in Porac, Pampanga, specifically to Sweet Crystals Integrated Sugar Mill Corporation and Manibaug Farm, on October 22, 2024.
Leading the turnover ceremony, newly-appointed DA-HVCDP Director Joseph Manicad emphasized the importance of boosting local agricultural productivity, particularly in ginger production.
“Ito ay patunay na ang DA ay committed sa pagpapalakas ng ating produktibidad sa agrikultura. Tayo ay isang bansang dependent sa importation—gaya ng bigas, tayo rin ay nag-aangkat ng luya. Kaya’t may mga inisyatibo ang ating departamento upang mapalaki ang ating productivity sa luya at matulungan ang ating mga farmer,” he said.
Lisa Munoz, Director of Sweet Crystals Integrated Sugar Mill Corporation, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the DA for the support in providing high-quality ginger seedlings.
“I’m very honored that we were given seedlings to plant and multiply, ginger is very important, especially all over the world for its medicinal purposes. This has also been known to be anti-cancer,” she expressed.
An open forum was also conducted to address queries from the beneficiaries regarding ginger planting tips, care for the seedlings, and best practices for improving yield, answered by DA-HVCDP Regional Field Office III Report Officer Christine Joy Corpuz.
According to Porac Municipal Agriculturist Engr. Joceline Buan, Pampanga is well-known to be a top-producing province in terms of ginger, but of native varieties.
“Kami ay nagpapasalamat sa DA, dahil itong mga binigay na seedlings ay pest-resistant na. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na nakikita na kami sa taas, na mula sa national government ay bababa sila rito sa bayan namin para kami ay mahatiran ng intervention,” she explained.
The pilot ginger seedling distribution in Pampanga is expected to serve as a model for strategic seed distribution, revitalizing agriculture in the municipality in close coordination with the local government unit, farmer groups, and private sector partners.### (Ira Y. Cruz, DA-AFID)
