The Benguet Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) said it continues to produce seedlings of fruit-bearing trees for reforestation and livelihood.

Fernando Siadto, a forester and community development assistant II at BENRO who manages the seedlings nursery, said in an interview Friday that they recently distributed 600 guyabano and 400 coffee seedlings.

There are two kinds of coffee varities –robusta and arabica — being propagated by BENRO and distributed to the communities.

“It can thrive and there are more benefits that can be obtained from fruit-bearing trees. Aside from timber, they also give fruits that the people can sell,” Siadto said.

He said guyabano is one of the most sought after and requested seedlings from the BENRO due to a high demand for its fruits and leaves.

Siadto said the province produces timber or hardwood seedlings for Benguet’s reforestation program but because many people ask for fruit bearing trees, specifically guyabano, they have opted to produce more, which they propagate using seeds.

“They bear fruits in one to two years, allowing the owner to immediately harvest for food or for sale aside from helping regreen our environment for carbon sequestration,” he added.

Trees also help control soil erosion, Siadto said.

“The purpose is two in one, for health and good environment,” he said.

The distribution was done during the regular “HEALTHIER Benguet” caravan of the provincial government where the services of the different provincial office and national agencies are brought to the municipalities for accessibility.

“For others interested to have seedlings, they can request from the provincial government through the governor’s office and we will be willing to provide them,” Siadto said. (PNA)