DA backs Oro’s solo parents urban gardening drive

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — As a way of encouraging civic group’s involvement in advocating urban food production, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) supports the community garden project of Barangay Consolacion Solo Parents Association (BCSPA).

Recently, DA-10 Senior Agriculturist Richan D. Lacanaria and HVCDP focal person Kersten S. Pagalan handed over 30 packets of assorted vegetable seeds, 5 pieces light hoe, 3 pieces shovel, 4 pieces sprinkler and 10 pieces seedling trays to Rubelyn B. Lumbab, BCSPA president.

According to Lumbab, the BCSPA is an association of 38 solo parents who decided to establish a community garden to make use of their time productively since most of their members are stay-at-home parents.

“Having a garden will help us provide fresh vegetables for our children and an added source of income by selling our extra harvest.” Lumbab said.

She added that their group is maximizing the use of an idle space in their locality as a communal garden, while other members are employing pot gardening methods.

As food sufficiency is a shared responsibility of the government and private stakeholders, the DA welcomes any form of partnership and collaboration advocating self-reliance and self-sustaining food production initiatives at the community level.# (ATT)