DA, Aboitiz Group team up for backyard farming program

The Department of Agriculture has partnered with the Cebubased Aboitiz Group to set up backyard farms nationwide to provide an additional source of livelihood to urban families. DA and its attached agencies Agricultural Training Institute, Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources inked a memorandum of agreement with conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and Aboitiz Foundation. The initiative under the Pagkain Para sa Masa program aims to set up small backyard farms in urban areas and complement them with garden tools, seedlings, and mushroom culture kits. “DA is exerting efforts to lessen hunger in the urban community. Through this project, In photo (from left) are DA-ATI director Luz Taposok, Brgy. Vasra chairman Roberto Fortuno, Aboitiz Foundation FVP and COO Maribeth Marasigan, DA Undersecretary for special concerns Ranibai Dilangalen, ATI deputy director Alfredo Aton, Aboitiz Equity Ventures VP for external corporate relations Christopher Camba, ATI chief for partnerships and accreditation division Renato dela Cruz, and AEV-government relations manager Mirchelle de Guzman inside the hydroponics greenhouse at the DA-ATI grounds. we are able to help the residents have food for their household consumption and potentially earn,” said Ranibai Dilngalen, Agriculture undersecretary for Special Concerns said.

The urban farms are expected to provide healthier food options for Filipino households.

Apart from the backyard farm, the project also includes seminars on gardening, soil analysis, compost-making, and fish and mushroom culture that will help transform residents into urban farmers.

So far, four urban agriculture gardens have already been set up in Brgy. Bahay Toro in Quezon City and at the DA-ATI grounds in Quezon City, Davao and Cotabato.

“One of the key initiatives in our corporate social responsibility programs aligns with the DA’s program of creating a green economy and developing greener communities through urban agriculture.

The Aboitiz Group’s support for this project is a manifestation of our promise to advance business and communities. We are proud to partner with the government for our efforts to co-create safe, empowered, and sustainable communities nationwide,” said Aboitiz Foundation first vice president and chief operating officer Maribeth Marasigan.

“The project is really beneficial because when we go home, we can get food here. We know that the food is fresh and clean because we planted them ourselves. We can save a lot for our family,” Yrrla Vibora, a beneficiary of the Urban Agriculture Garden project, said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units, and Aboitiz food unit Pilmico Foods Corp. also participated in a feeding program as they partner to drive change for a better Philippines.