DAR launches urban farming project in Tondo, Manila
“Many Filipinos were affected by the Covid-2019 pandemic because majority lost their jobs and have no means to put food on their tables. The farmers are one of the least affected by the crisis because they have their farms to till, agricultural products to sell and harvest to feed their families, and even some of the country’s households,” thus said Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Brother John Castriciones during the launching of an urban farming project dubbed as “Buhay sa Gulay,” held in St. John Don Bosco Parish, Tondo Manila.
Castriciones said this project would utilize the 8,000 square meter football fields of the Parish to cultivate various vegetables that would benefit the families and residents surrounding the 17 barangays.
“This land is currently idle and we would use this to teach our urban dwellers how to farm so that they could produce their own food and also sell some of their yields to earn money,” he said.
Brother John further said that the DAR’s mandate is to distribute lands to landless farmers in the countryside and provide them with various support services, including training, to help them boost their farms. These farmers in rural communities would now share their learnings with the urban dwellers.
DAR-Calabarzon Regional Director Rene Colocar explained that five (5) farmer-scientists, who are also agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of the DAR in the province of Cavite, would teach the benefitting barangays the technical know-how on cultivating the lands.
“Apart from the training, the seedlings, fertilizers, vermicast and other farming materials will be provided by the provincial office of DAR in Cavite, while the machinery we use are borrowed from the Department of Agriculture,” Colocar said.
Manila Counselor Irma Alfonso-Juson, who represented Mayor Isko Moreno, said that this project is most welcome to the Mayor, as it would benefit his constituents, especially during these trying times.
“We support urban farming, and I will propose to the City Ordinance that this noble project be funded by our local government,” Juson said.
Manila Bishop Broderick Pabillo said St. John Bosco dedicated his lifetime to the poor and that the DAR must be His instrument in helping the poor parishioners of Manila at present.
“I am hopeful that other cities, communities and urban centers in Metro Manila would emulate this project, and I trust that the DAR would certainly, help them,” Bishop Pabillo said.