The City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgro) is promoting good farming practices to increase vegetable yields in the locality, an official said Friday.

In an interview, Etchie Rose Nalzaro, CAgro focal person for fruits and vegetables, underscored the importance of plant monitoring for identifying viruses or bacteria that affect plants, to achieve higher yield.

“You should investigate the cause of the disease of the plant and if you can see that there are parts infested with insects, you should cut it off. Disposal of infected plant parts should also be done with care and sanitation,” she said.

She noted that crop rotation is also a good farming practice to control disease or pest infestation.

“If you plant tomatoes now, the next cropping season should be of another kind of vegetable. You should change the crops so that the same plant disease will not occur again,” she said.

Nalzaro urged Dabawenyos to seek technical assistance from their office for their plants.

“Regarding insects and pest infestation in your gardens, we are very willing to visit your farms and give remedy to the problem,” she said.

The CAgro also provides seeds for planting and encourages residents to visit their office. (PNA)