Pandemic gardening helped this reader achieve his goal of food security and self-sufficiency

DURING THE COUNTRY-WIDE LOCKDOWN imposed last March, the public was confined to the safety of their own homes to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, the quarantine measures posed challenges to food security since roads were closed and farmers weren’t able to properly market their produce.

To solve this problem, the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the Plant, Plant, Plant Program to encourage the public to start growing their own food in their homes or backyards.

One home gardener who began growing his own food since March is Sajikh E. Ayonan from Iba, Zambales. His garden is situated at the back of their house where a vacant lot used to serve as an area where they hung their clothes out to dry.

“Realizing that l have so much time available since most of us were staying at home, l took the opportunity to plant the vegetable seeds that the barangay gave to households. The effort was meant to encourage backyard gardening in line with DA's program. l have an edible vegetable garden because what I was thinking about food security and selfsufficiency,” Ayonan said.

Ayonan’s interest in gardening sparked at a young age since he loved gardening as a kid.

“For me, the greatest benefit I am reaping from gardening is the therapeutic benefits it gave to me, aside from harvesting fresh and naturally grown vegetables which helped me save money,” he said.

Gardening, according to Ayonan, soothes his mind and eases his stress and anxiety. Plus, he finds it very productive and fun to do!

Photos from Sajikh E. Ayonan

“Eating is an agricultural act,” American agriculturist Wendell Berry said.

So as long as one eats, one has a responsibility to ensure that the people who grow their food are treated fairly. After all, how can the Philippines call itself an agricultural country when a majority of its farmers can barely feed themselves?

“It’s always important to talk about the state of our agriculture and conditions of our farmers, farm workers and fisherfolk—our food security frontliners. They need all the support they can get from the private sector and more importantly, from the government. We are pushing for cash assistance and production support for the losses they suffered due to the pandemic,” said Rae Rival, coordinator for Rural Women Advocates (RUWA), an organization of volunteers of the Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women.

The pandemic has focused attention on agriculture and food production. Many people, because of the lockdown, turned to backyard gardening, growing agricultural products for their food. Many even sold portions to friends and neighbors with dreams of eventually devoting more time to agriculture.

The charm of growing one’s food has attracted many consumers whose enthusiasm has been boosted by other consumers who offered a ready market for these produce.

The interest in backyard or urban agriculture has also strengthened the base of a longtime movement of concerned consumers who make it a big deal to know the facts behind one’s food — how it is grown and if the prices they pay will sustain the farmers’ livelihood.

From that interest came the many organizations who are committed to ensuring fair trade with the farmers. They not only buy straight from the farmers, they also make sure that they pay higher than farm gate prices.

“Organizations who really want to help our farmers must immerse [themselves] with our farmers to know their real conditions. Aside from helping financially, they must continuously communicate with them and know the kind of support they need,” Rival said.