Coco husk pushed for urban agri

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Kalantiyaw Elementary School and Barangay Bagumbuhay in Quezon City launched recent-ly the Model Urban Garden project to promote the use of coco peat or dust derived from coco-nut husk.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed recently by PCA Administrator Danilo Coronacion, school principal Myrna Ramorate and barangay captain Raulito Datiles of Kalan-tiyaw Elementary School, the site of the project.

The project aims to promote the use of coco peat and other coir products for horticulture. It also aims to demonstrate how urban house-holds can engage in organic gardening despite limitation in space and lack of suitable soil, and be self sufficient in selected vegetables or herbs.

Under the MOA, the PCA will evaluate the site, analyze soil samples, recommend suitable crop, provide seeds and seedling for propaga-tion, and provide coir dust as soil amendment and conditioner. It shall, likewise, extend moni-toring and technical assistance on modern technologies and conduct seminars and trai-nings for cooperator, students and their parents.

Barangay Bagumbuhay will provide orga-nic fertilizer from its Ecology Center, water and pump and sprinklers, electricity, manpower, site security, and other utilities, while Kalan-tiyaw Elementary will take care of garden maintenance by the students and security protection of the crops during school hours.

Coronacion said the barangay and the school are among the first to comply with a Malacañang led national drive to promote the use of coco peat and coir fibers. The palace is-sued recently a directive for the beautification of all government units and parks/public places.

The administrator thanked the cooperators, the Soriano Fiber Multi Purpose Inc. who provided the materials and all participants and exhorted all to contribute their best in making the project a success.