ILOILO – Residents of Barangay Balabag, Pavia town have been introduced to urban gardening technologies under the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) of the Department of Agriculture Region 6 (DA-6), aimed at strengthening food security and promoting sustainable farming practices.
During the orientation, participants were trained on cultivating communal and backyard gardens to ensure steady food production, protect the environment, minimize farm waste, and provide households with additional income opportunities.
Ric Jason Aldamia, Agriculturist I of DA-6, highlighted the importance of reducing dependency on commercial food supply chains by adopting eco-friendly practices. He discussed proper land use, composting methods, container gardening, and the application of organic inputs to enhance soil health and crop productivity.
Aldamia also underscored the risks of excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers, noting their negative effects on both soil condition and crop quality. He encouraged residents to turn to traditional alternatives such as vermicompost, animal manure, and organic pesticides.
To help jumpstart the project, DA-WV distributed 180 sacks of organic fertilizer and assorted vegetable seeds to participants. These inputs are expected to support the establishment of backyard and communal gardens in the barangay.
“Programs like NUPAP highlight the crucial role of community participation and grassroots education in addressing the challenges of food security and environmental sustainability,” Aldamia said.
Through the initiative, Barangay Balabag is envisioned to serve as a model community for sustainable urban agriculture, showing how local residents can work together to build a greener and more food-secure future./PN
