BAGUIO CITY — At least 150 schools in different areas of the Cordillera region were boosted by the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera's "Gulayan sa Paaralan" project under the High-Value Crops Development Program.

The project — which is a collaboration with the Department of Education-Cordillera — aims to provide the optimal supply of nutrition through the consumption of vegetables and fruits minimizing malnutrition of students.

It also allows for a learning experience for students, increasing their knowledge and skills in fundamental agriculture and implying a more scientific view of the consumption of securely produced food. 

HVCDP coordinator for GPP Albert Jay Lab-oyan said the schools underwent the screening process of the DepEd based on their guidelines which were forwarded to the regional agriculture department for the allocation of P1.8 million worth of agriculture inputs for 2023. 

The provisions include upland and lowland seeds, cultivating tools, garden hoses and wheelbarrows.

Of the 8 School Division Offices in the region, 20 schools were identified in Abra, 20 schools in Apayao, 16 schools in Benguet, 15 schools in Baguio City, 20 schools in Ifugao, 20 schools in Kalinga, 19 schools in Tabuk City and 20 schools in Mountain Province.