ATI Central Visayas, in collaboration with Robinsons Galleria and the Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD), conducted Agritalk 2025: Innovative Urban Farming at Robinsons Galleria, Cebu City, on March 12, 2025. 102 participants came from the province of Cebu. 

Topics included Hydroponics, the Kratky Method, and Tower/Containerized Gardening technology. Resource Speakers were Geneveve Abella of Cebu City Agri. Department for Hydroponics and Engr. Emmanuel Gamonez of Green Gardens of Hope, Balilihan, Bohol for Tower/Containerized Gardening.

Agritalk was initially started as a series of free seminars promoting urban agriculture and featuring agribusiness success stories. It was launched in Central Visayas last 2019 on a face-to-face platform but eventually shifted to a series of Webinars during the pandemic. During this time and recognizing the need to engage younger generations, ATI-7 also developed complementary programs such as AgriTeens and AgriKids, which were broadcast on dyRD, BCCTV and streamed live on the ATI Central Visayas Facebook Page.

This year, due to overwhelming public demand, AgriTalk is back to its face-to-face format, bringing hands-on learning and interactive discussions to further strengthen urban agriculture advocacy. Gracing the event is Mr. Arlie Gesta, Chief, CAD, while ATI-7 Doris Isabel Racho, DM spearheaded the event assisted by Noreen Angeleen Darunday and Engr. John Kenneth Procullos.

Agritalk was joined by urban gardeners and agri-enthusiasts from Cebu City, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. staff, farmers from Danao City, Association of Government Information Officers and Robinsons Galleria walk-in clients from Dumaguete City and Bohol.

“The Agritalk is very nice, good and substantial to me, to my clients and to all people. The RPs are informative, expert, and very willing to share through practical demonstration, and the training management team have a very good preparation & coordination,” said Reggie Sebandal of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.