DA urges public to do urban gardening to ensure food sufficiency

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for urban gardening under its Plant, Plant, Plant program to ensure food sufficiency as the country battles COVID-19.

“Ito po ay matagal nang proyekto ng DA. Ngunit ngayon, higit kailanman, kailangan nating dagdagan, i-level up, magsama-sama,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

Dar himself has an urban garden in his home.

In a video released by the DA, Dar is seen crouching beside a plot of land.

“Magtanim na po tayo. Backyard gardening. Para mayroon tayong sapat na kakainin po. Maraming salamat po. Plant, plant, plant,” Dar said in the video.

Dar: Magtanim na po tayo. Backyard gardening para mayroon tayong sapat na kakainin po. Maraming salamat po. Plant, plant, plant. @gmanews Video courtesy of the Dept of Agriculture pic.twitter.com/ltyKV01Ncj

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) April 14, 2020

The DA is also giving away seeds and seedlings.

“Ipinag-utos ko na po sa ating mga regional executive directors na agad na mamigay ng buto at ang mga punla, seedlings, at mga pananim para sa urban agriculture at gulayan sa barangay. At lahat po ay tumatalima na,” Dar said.

Those interested may also call the Bureau of Plant Industry hotlines at 0916-053-4831 and 0956-5245187 or visit its Facebook page.

 —KG, GMA News