Antique provincial officials, led by Governor Rhodora “Dodod” Cadiao, join officers of Antique Amazing Youth in the kick-off tree planting ceremony of The Antique Fruit Basket Project in Brgy. Tubudan, San Remigio, Antique (photo from Cadiao Cares FB Page)
A youth group started an initiative to make the Antique the “fruit basket” of Western Visayas by planting 200 fruit tree seedlings in a provincial government lot in Barangay Tubudan, San Remigio, Antique
Antique Amazing Youth, an organization of young Antiqueños, came up with the project that could possibly benefit their families and communities to get additional income, said Provincial Youth Development Affairs head Rexon Nodque.
“Each member of the Antique Amazing Youth intends to plant three fruit-bearing trees per quarter,” he added.
The group will plant various fruit-bearing trees in their respective municipalities — cacao in San Remigio; jackfruit in Sibalom; and pomelo in San Jose de Buenavista. They are also planning to plant trees in their backyard, as well as give the seedlings, as stated by Nodque. Harvest from the trees could be either be consumed by the families or sold in the market for additional income.
“We expect that after five years, there would already be a variety of fruit production in Antique,” Nodque said.
Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao, who spearheaded the program’s launch, praised the youth for the project and said this would improve the province’s fruit production. (RJ Espartinez)