On March 21, 2023, the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) in partnership with the City Agriculture Office of Sto. Tomas, Batangas facilitated a training to over 50 barangay officials of the city which aimed to equip the participants with proper knowledge and practices on organic vegetable production.

Moreover, the said training is part of the urban farming project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), “HAPAG (Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay sa Barangay Project)”, which intends to capacitate and enable barangays to engage in sustainable agriculture activities while promoting food sustainability in the local setting.

IPB researchers, Ms. Maria Cielo Paola B. Rodriguez and Ms. Jennelyn C. Bengoa, discussed the standards in organic vegetable production, advantages of home gardening, significance of seed saving, and good agricultural practices for seed production.

The participants showed enthusiasm when the resource speakers demonstrated the steps in making natural fertilizers and pesticides.

Before the half-day program ended, IPB Deputy Director Elmer E. Enicola initiated the distribution of IPB-developed vegetable seeds to the barangay representatives with the assistance of City Agriculturist Lorena M. Briones and her team.

Meanwhile, City Vice Mayor Catherine Perez-Jaurigue expressed full support for the implementation of the project.

The barangays are expected to adopt sustainable agriculture initiatives, specifically to establish and maintain a barangay community garden that would urge the locals to produce fresh, nutritious, accessible, and affordable fruits and vegetables for family consumption and source of livelihood. (Dianne B. Ubaldo)