GIPORLOS, Eastern Samar — The third batch of the training on Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture was conducted on May 22-24, 2024 in Giporlos, Eastern Samar. This capacitated and provided updates to participants on the latest technologies in urban and peri-urban agriculture.
The training is in line with the Department of Agriculture’s Administrative Order No. 03, Series of 2022 which aims to increase food production and reduce logistics costs, addressing global concerns such as food security, climate change, and rising fuel costs. This initiative is part of the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) whcih encourages alternative livelihood opportunities in collaboration with Local Government Units (LGUs), National Government Agencies (NGAs), private sectors, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders. The program, under the Plant, Plant, Plant initiative, provides material, technical, and funding support to urban and peri-urban agriculture projects.
The participants, mostly from fishing backgrounds due to Giporlos' coastal location, expressed gratitude for the training, as it introduced them to vegetable production for the first time. They learned about the use of plastic mulch, the establishment of a communal garden, and hydroponics systems.
The hands-on activities, including hydroponic setup, seed sowing, land preparation, and nursery establishment particularly sparked the interest of the participants. By the end of the second day, participants completed planting in their assigned vegetable plots. They committed to maintaining the plots until harvest and continue planting for future crops.
“Thank you for the techniques and knowledge you shared with us,” said Evelyn Duevo, one of the participants during the training. She added that they will be applying what they have learned in their backyard gardens. “Because of this, we will have additional income. This training, indeed, is a big help for us.”
To ensure the application of technologies and knowledge learned through the training, the participants were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and farming inputs to start their communal garden. Despite the responsibility, the support from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), LGU, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) motivated them further. Plans were made to sell their produce in neighboring barangays, with the rest intended for their consumption, addressing food availability and sustainability issues in their barangay, especially with the unpredictable weather.
Two (2) more batches of the said training will be conducted by the end of June and July 2024 in Southern Leyte and Biliran Provinces, completing the five batches of Training on Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture under the NUPAP.
