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Archives (2001)
Halamanan sa BPI: farming
the city
by Thea Kristina M. Pabuayon |
April-June
2001
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For years, people have considered agriculture
or farming as a rural activity. It was almost unthinkable
then that one can engage in farming activities when one lives
in the city.
Today, with the looming uncertainty of the Philippine
economy, a big portion of the people who are hit by problems
of malnutrition and poverty continuously set out to find alternative
means of livelihood and ways to survive.
With this scenario, the government has launched
an initiative to improve the plight of urban people by planting
vegetable and other crops on vacant residential spaces, backyards,
and vacant lots.
Halamanan sa BPI: a model urban garden
In June 2000, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) launched
its own techno-demo model urban garden at the BPI Central
Office in San Andres, Manila. The Halamanan sa BPI is a 4,405
square meter experimental area, which was converted into a
mini-park complete with a bahay kubo. It showcases a variety
of pesticide-free vegetables planted side by side, including
leafy, green, fruit, root, and vine vegetable crops. Mushrooms,
ornamentals, medicinal plants, herbs, spices, and selected
fruits grown alone or intercropped with other vegetables are
also planted. Some selected vegetable crops are grown on common
junk such as old rubber tires, tin cans, recycled plastic
bags/containers, earthen pots, plastic and jute sacks, styropor
fruit boxes, old gutters, and bamboo poles.
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| Plastic bags and plastic sacks are used as pots to grow vegetables.
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For six months, from August 2000 to January
2001, a total of 574.64 kg of assorted vegetables was harvested.
Originally conceptualized by BPI Director Blo Umpar Adiong,
the Halamanan sa BPI was duplicated from a Model Socio Economic
Enhancement Development (S.E.E.D) farm established in Marawi
City at Lanao del Sur. Established by experts from the Central
Office and the Baguio Experiment Station, this seven-hectare
farm was planted with various cash crops including leafy,
green, fruit, root, and vine vegetables to serve as a showcase
for the Mindanao people. The Marawi farm proved to be a success,
pioneering the establishment of other model S.E.E.D. farms
in Talagak, Bukidnon and Baler, Aurora.
Urban Farms: a promising industry
Urban agriculture need not be limited to the production of
vegetables and popular cash crops for home consumption. With
capital and technology, this could be a profitable business
for budding entrepreneurs.
The government may prove very helpful in this
endeavor by providing interested families with the basic know-how
of urban farming. Moreover, planting materials and training
on proper production, harvest, postharvest and marketing can
greatly improve the urban farmers' chances of success. There
are already documented successful urban farm stories that
the government can bank on. Examples are the urban agriculture
project at the Central Luzon State University headed by Dr.
Pedrito Natural and gas station operator Pete Magsuci's lakatan
backyard farm. Undoubtedly, urban agriculture can present
many benefits for city dwellers: increased food security for
the urban poor; easy access to nutrient rich foods; reduced
poverty in low-income areas; creation of jobs and small-scale
businesses; and enhanced city environment. The list could
go on.
With proper motivation and a vigilant effort
to develop this promising enterprise, rural and urban dwellers
alike can look to a brighter and promising future.  More Articles:
Vol. 3 No. 2
April-June 2001
»»
CERDAF approves five addt'l national programs
»» IPB recommends
organic farming for vegetables
»» The
growing Philippine vegetable industry: obstacles and opportunities
»» Growing
vegetables without soil
»» MMSU
recommends off season tomato hybrids
»» Halamanan
sa BPI: Farming the City
»» Dump
that damping-off diseases
»» Grafting
effective in producing off- season tomato
»» 'It's
time you put some spice into your life'
»» A
Commodity Feature Cultivating the Aromatic Garlic
»»
Vegetable gardening at the rooftop?
»» National
Integrated RDE Agenda and Program for Vegetable
»» DA
launches AFP livelihood program
»» The
Gulayan at Bulaklakan Project: creating greener pastures for urban dwellers
[More
2001 Articles]
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