Department of Agriculture Campaigns for Enhancement of Urban Agriculture in Metro Manila
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – The Department of Agriculture promotes urban agriculture to assure adequate food supply in Metro Manila.
Following a previous article, the Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary William Dar said Metro Manila has enough food supply during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) lock-down. Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has placed the city under “community quarantine” for 1 month to control the spread of the Wuhan virus.
Dar said Metro Manila’s basic commodities could last for a month and said the region’s rice inventory could last for nine months. “The Department of Agriculture assures all Filipino families that there is enough food for everyone,” he said.
Based on a report from Inquirer, the DA wants to implement an ‘urban gardening’ program amid the threats of the coronavirus disease. Agri Chief William Dar said the move is to ensure that the people will have a stable food supply in their homes as some of them are panic buying medical supplies and basic food items.
“We need to promote proper implementation of urban agriculture in the metropolis so that when there is tightening of food supply from the provinces, there will be enough in urban areas as well,” Dar said.
According to the report, William Dar has instructed the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to improve their collaboration with the LGUs in promoting ‘urban gardening’ especially in barangays. Government offices, schools, and even corporate buildings.
Based on the report, BPI Assistant Director Glenn Panganiban told Inquirer that they have been distributing seeds and give training all over Metro Manila to encourage them to plant their own vegetables and root crops.
“There are a lot of crops that we can plant here in the metro. We have leafy vegetables, sili, tomato and other root crops. These plants are low maintenance and can easily grow in a month or two… The goal is to ensure food security but eventually, this could also provide a livelihood opportunity,” he said.
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