Urban Agriculture Gains Ground among Bubon Farmers in Baybay

Thu, 05/29/2025 - 16:47
Bubon farmers Urban Agri

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte — In a bid to promote food security and sustainable agriculture in urban areas, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center VIII (ATI-RTC 8) conducted the Training on Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (Batch 1) on May 26-27, 2025 at Barangay Bubon, Baybay City.

The training aimed to capacitate participants on urban and peri-urban agriculture technologies, equipping them with practical skills and knowledge in growing food within limited spaces. This initiative is part of the implementation of Administrative Order No. 03, Series of 2022, which established the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program under the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Participants learned essential techniques such as proper sowing of vegetable seeds, hydroponics farming setup, nutrient solution preparation tailored to specific crops, and key considerations in establishing communal vegetable gardens.

During the training, participants actively engaged in hands-on activities and later committed to managing the communal vegetable garden established during the practicum. Many expressed a renewed appreciation for urban gardening, emphasizing its value in ensuring access to fresh, healthy food—even in densely populated areas.

“This is my first time to attend a training and the experience was indeed worth it.” says Lilia Joy Salubre, a farmer and a member of the Bubon Farmers Association (BFA). “Gardening is not just limited in our backyards. When we become resourceful, we can achieve many things especially when it comes to urban gardening.” she added.

The activity also highlighted the importance of community collaboration in sustaining urban agriculture. Participants pledged to apply their learnings and share their knowledge with fellow farmers and neighbors to help expand the practice in their respective communities.

Joan Bertomen, one of the participants, expressed the vital role of urban and peri-urban gardening especially in the prevention of malnutrition in their community. “As a farmer and public barangay official, we really promote urban gardening. By growing our own vegetables, families can have regular access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food. Urban gardening not only reduces food expenses but also promotes healthy eating habits, gardening empowers communities to become more food-secure and resilient, especially during times of crisis.” she explains.

ATI-RTC 8, the training arm of the DA, continues to empower local stakeholders by promoting innovative approaches to food production, in support of DA’s goal to create resilient and food-secure communities.

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