Fruit and vegetable supply in the province remains insufficient for more than a million Bohol residents while products from other provinces are causing the prices in markets to rise, the local branch of the Department of Agriculture said.

According to Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry Pamugas, the shortage has long been a problem for the province based on data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.

Pamugas said that there is only 70% production of vegetables and fruit supply is very low.

While there are still fruits and vegetables from various towns in the province being sold in markets, more are coming from Mindanao.

Products from outside of Bohol are being sold at higher prices.

Chinese cabbage or pechay is now sold at P150 per kilo, ginger at P200 per kilo, and bitter melon or ampalaya at P100 per kilo.

Fruit prices have also increased as mangoes are being sold at P70-80 per kilo, while apples are sold at P10-15 each, depending on its size.

In order to reach the sufficiency level, Pamugas urged Boholanos to start planting their own fruits and vegetables to increase production to an adequate level.

The local government, led by Gov. Edgar Chatto has been implementing programs to remedy the shortage such as Food Always In The Home (FAITH), Chicken Always Ready  In The Yard (CHARITY) and Herbal Organic Plant Enhancement (HOPE).  (with reports from Rey Tutas)