Urban farming model to be put up in Taguig

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has partnered with religious group Ligaya ng Panginoon Foundation Inc. (LNPFI) to achieve food security through urban farming.

The DA, through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP), signed a memorandum of agreement with LNPFI to jointly put up a greenhouse with hydroponics technology in Taguig City.

The project aims to ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of safe food in the area, as well as to generate supplementary income for households and communities.

DA director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said the collaboration is geared towards promoting more sustainable agricultural practices and securing the future of the agriculture sector.

This as he emphasized NUPAP’s commitment to addressing challenges in food security.

Meanwhile, LNPFI executive director Jeffrey Keith Lansangan said the project’s success would serve as a model that will be replicated among their numerous outreach sites in Metro Manila and even in other parts of the country, thus bringing food security and financial stability within reach of the less fortunate.

The collaboration between government and LNPFI is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to achieve food security and sustainable agriculture by collaborating with public and private organizations.

In the recent Pandesal Forum, Panganiban highlighted the imperative need for adopting and supporting urban farming as an integral part of a holistic approach towards ensuring food sustainability, mitigating environmental impact, and fostering inclusive community development.

“Urban and peri-urban agriculture do not supplant rural production; rather, they complement it. It embodies a sustainable lifestyle where food is cultivated within our cities and communities,” he said.

Dr. Joel Cuello, Professor of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Arizona, also emphasized the pivotal role of vertical and indoor farming in the Philippine context.

“To foster the prosperity of urban agriculture, integrating various forms of modern technologies, especially vertical or indoor farming, is essential for building climate-resilient systems,” he said.