DA-7 promotes urban agriculture

CEBU, Philippines —  To ensure food availability and sustain production amidst the threat of COVID-19, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is intensifying the promotion of urban agriculture through the distribution of free vegetable seeds and planting materials nationwide.

“We need to explore all strategies to ensure that food productivity, availability and sufficiency are attained, particularly in this challenging time,” said DA Secretary William Dar in a statement.

In line with this, the DA-7 has conducted the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita or KADIWA.

Several people had flocked to the KADIWA inside DA-7 Complex in Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City.

The Mandaue City government, thru the City Agriculture Office, likewise supported this program by giving out free seeds and seedlings of different vegetables.

These seeds can be planted in their respective homes, even they only have a small area via urban or container gardening.

The seeds include kangkong, okra, string beans and eggplant.  They also have seedlings for alugbati, tomato and chili.

“With the program, we hope to provide households, especially in metropolitan areas, the opportunity to produce fresh and healthy food from their backyard for their tables. This way, we can help them attain food security even beyond the enhanced community quarantine period in Luzon,” Dar said.

The DA, through its Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), has been distributing assorted vegetable seeds and planting materials to interested households in Metro Manila and other urban areas in the country.

“To sustain the initiative beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, we are establishing community gardens in barangays with vacant areas so they can plant, propagate, and produce their vegetable requirements,” said BPI Assistant Director Glenn Panganiban.

“We urge the public to join us in promoting this urban agriculture program to ensure a continuous supply of home-grown nutritious vegetables on the tables of every Filipino household. Home gardening is a productive family activity during this quarantine period,” Dar said.  GAN (FREEMAN)