Philippines: AGRI Party-list files urban agriculture bill
Under House Bill No. 1297, or the Instructional Gardens and Urban Agriculture Act of 2022, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Science and Technology are mandated to promote the use of urban agriculture and vertical farming in the country’s urban areas and in other areas in the country where such farming methods are suited.
By MB Business
Manila Bulletin
August 19, 2022
Excerpt:
As the prices of food and other basic commodities continue to soar, the AGRI Party-list has filed a bill that promotes urban agriculture and enlists the youth’s participation in food security.
“We need to explore urban agriculture and vertical farming in our efforts to address our country’s food security concerns. Community gardens in urban areas will help families cope with the rising prices of food and ensure that they have access to healthy, nutritious meals,” AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee said.
“These methods present untapped potential in our food security efforts. There are opportunities to produce fresh and nutrient-rich food near and in urban areas that we can grab if we lay out the proper framework that would enable Filipino families to actively participate,” Lee added.
Under House Bill No. 1297, or the Instructional Gardens and Urban Agriculture Act of 2022, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Science and Technology are mandated to promote the use of urban agriculture and vertical farming in the country’s urban areas and in other areas in the country where such farming methods are suited.
In this regard, idle and/or abandoned government lots and buildings owned by either the national government or local governments, as well as available land resources in state universities and colleges shall be considered for growing crops or raising livestock, among others.
Local government units will also be required to formulate a policy on the practice of urban agriculture and vertical farming, utilizing unused spaces and idle lands.
