At least 6,000 fruit seedlings were distributed to some 66 farmers of Albay province during the “Plant a tree program” in Ligao City over the weekend.

Third District Representative Fernando Cabredo said in an interview that the distributed seedlings to farmers will be planted in 60 hectares of alienable and private lands in three villages.

“We have 3,000 high-grade cacao seedlings and 3,000 grafted pili trees given to 66 farmers of Barangays Oma-Oma, Busac and Tiongson,” he said.

Cabredo said he wants to help and alleviate the plight of farmers in the far-flung villages of the third district of Albay by helping them plant fruit-bearing trees.

“Pili nuts and cacao fruit nowadays are in demand in the market not only in the Philippines but also abroad.”..Maganda itong alternative na hanapbuhay ng mga magsasaka lalo na ang magniniyog dahil sa mababang presyo ngayon ng copra…and in three to four years time ay mamumunga na ang pili at cacao na papakinabangan nila ng malaki (This is a good livelihood alternative for farmers specially the coconut producers… in three to four years, the pili and cacao will bear fruits already),” he said.

“We will help not only by giving you free seedlings, machinery and technical aspects but also we will help you to find markets for your products,” he added.

The pili and cacao seedlings were provided to the farmers by the Department of Agriculture upon the request of Cabredo.

The lawmaker said he also wants to increase the food production in the third district of Albay, which is known as the food basket of the province.

He said he wants to implement projects for food production and lift the status of life of farmers.

Cabredo said he is busy coordinating and asking funds from different government agencies for his priority projects such as irrigation and water system, flood control projects to shield farmlands and providing machinery and equipment to farmers and their cooperative. (PNA)