Philippines: Gov’t wants to expand prison ‘veggie gardens’ to 100 hectares

The Department of Agriculture chief said urban agriculture has the potential to produce about 15 percent to 20 percent of the national food supply.

Ronnel W. Domingo
Business Inquirer
Sept 18, 2021

Excerpt:

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) are expanding an urban agriculture program meant for inmates with the possibility of extending this to communities around correctional facilities as well.

Glenn Panganiban, assistant director of the DA-supervised Bureau of Plant Industries (DA-BPI), said in a statement plans were underway to expand the “Bagong Buhay sa Gulay” coverage for up to 100 hectares, with the help of the private sector that will continue to provide seedlings, pest management and technical assistance.

The project currently covers 10 hectares of land planted with eggplant, tomato, chili pepper, coffee, banana and pili.

Earlier this week, the DA and the BuCor agreed to cooperate with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in implementing DAR’s “Bagong Buhay sa Gulay” project and complementing a DA-BuCor urban agriculture initiative at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City that kicked off last May.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar called on the four agencies to sustain and expand the project, which first started with 2.5 hectares, and continuously produce vegetables as a source of livelihood and income not just for the inmates, but also for other residents in Muntinlupa.

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