MAWAB, Davao de Oro— To equip young learners with essential knowledge and skills in urban gardening, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center XI  conducted a Technical Briefing on Urban and Peri-Urban Gardening on March 6, 2025 at Brgy. Andili.

The activity benefited 31 students from Andili National High School, who are currently immersed in their Gulayan sa Barangay, a community garden managed by the Andili Vegetable Growers Association under the leadership of Pres. Albina G. Rosales.

Project Officer Pauline Joy Reyes led discussions on Urban Agriculture Production (UAP) strategies, covering various topics such as types of urban gardens, seedling production, planting techniques, care and maintenance, and containerized gardening. She also provided insights into organic concoction formulation and best practices in establishing and managing urban and peri-urban gardens.

Moreover, Technical Staff Judy Ann Guitones and Babyglace R. Lanit introduced the students to the various programs and services of ATI, emphasizing the e-Extension for Agriculture and Fisheries Program, which provides online learning opportunities for farmers and agricultural practitioners.

Participants also engaged in a hands-on demonstration on garden bed preparation and transplanting, where they learned proper soil conditioning, bed layout, seedling spacing, careful handling to prevent transplant shock, and appropriate watering techniques for healthy plant growth.

The Andili Vegetable Growers Association has been an ATI-assisted community garden under the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) since 2023.

The event was attended by personnel from the LGU-Municipal Agriculture Office, Andili National High School, and barangay officials, reinforcing community support for sustainable urban agriculture initiatives.