MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) hosted Vegetable Gardening and Investment Opportunities in Mushroom Production and Processing webinars with residents of Brgy.183, Zone 20, Villamor in Pasay City via Zoom on October 5, 2021.

Attended by 60 participants, with teachers and staff from Villamor Air Base Elementary School headed by Mr. Rodulfo Tirol,  Pasay City South High School with Principal Ms. Emily Tolentino and Mr. Soliel Ambog of the City Anti Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) and Brgy. 183 residents, the webinar was made possible through the initiative of Brgy. Council headed by Punong Barangay Ruth M. Cortez and committee on livelihood Chair Brgy. Kgd. Gemma Dela Cruz and Kgd. Gerald John M. Sobrevega and Kgd. Jonathan Caesar Santos.

The objective of the training is to provide participants knowledge in urban agriculture, and introduce them to mushroom cultivation which are a potential source of food and alternative source of income for their families.

Both from the BPI – Crop Research and Production Support Division (CRPSD), Mr. Ernie Lito Bollosa facilitated the webinar on vegetable gardening in the urban setting while Ms. Hazel Pacis on mushroom cultivation. 

Mr. Bollosa discussed the advantages of urban agriculture, explained the proper sowing, transplanting, safe and balanced fertilization, pest control and seed production. He explained how to make compost and organic fertilizer and he also introduced hydroponics. 

Ms. Pacis, on the other hand, gave the participants background on how to cultivate mushrooms and investment opportunities in the production and processing even with limited space.

In support of the project to its participants, Brgy. Council also gave free garden soil, planting materials and garden tools for the residents to start their vegetable gardening.

BPI has been providing them with free vegetable seeds and seedlings and technical assistance to ensure success and sustainability of the project.

Urban agriculture is one of the key programs of DA to promote production of safe and nutritious food for the family even in a limited space, especially during a pandemic.

For inquiries regarding free seeds, urban agriculture and mushroom cultivation, please contact our CRPSD at 8525-7313 or email crpsd@buplant.da.gov.ph (AApina / DA-BPI)

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