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Philippines: Department of Agriculture, Quezon City promote urban agriculture

They discussed the establishment of the National Urban Agriculture Research and Learning Center.

By Louise Maureen Simeon
The Philippine Star
October 11, 2020

Excerpt:

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture and the Quezon City government have partnered to promote urban agriculture to contribute in ensuring sustainable food supply in the country.

Under the partnership, the DA and the Quezon City government will promote the use of aquaponics technology, a system that combines the concepts of aquaculture with hydroponics allowing fish and vegetables to grow in an integrated environment.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte also discussed the establishment of the National Urban Agriculture Research and Learning Center.

“This is a continuing engagement and partnership that we have with Quezon City. This will enhance the introduction of more technologies into urban agriculture and aquaculture,” Dar said.

While the country has enough food supply, Dar noted that the problems of hunger and malnutrition due to poverty should also be managed through the availability of affordable and accessible food.

Dar also requested the help of Quezon City to look for an area with vacant spaces such as the University of the Philippines in Diliman to serve as the National Urban Agriculture Research and Learning Center.

The center will showcase technologies in urban agriculture and aquaculture to serve as a model for other local government units.

Belmonte suggested that the Quezon City University host the urban agriculture center.

She said many groups are willing to lend their properties as learning sites for urban agriculture.

The agreement between Quezon City and the DA, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, will initially benefit the African swine fever-affected hog raisers in Barangay Payatas and Barangay Bagong Silangan.

Through the new partnership, BFAR will provide initial agricultural inputs such as vegetable seeds, tilapia fingerlings, feeds, aquaponics structure, and technical assistance as part of the starter kits.

The LGU, on the other hand, will help identify the project site, provide logistics support, and promote urban aquaculture with emphasis on the aquaponics system.

In April, DA and Quezon City started a partnership to address the stability of food supply, alleviate poverty, foster social integration, and protect the environment through eco-friendly methods and alternative and innovative gardening methods.

Link.