The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 has officially inaugurated its P2.7M Protective Cultivation Project under the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) in Quezon Isabela Livelihood and Skills Training and Assessment Center, Samonte, Quezon Isabela.

NUPAP seeks to improve the food supply in communities to ensure citizens’ equitable access to healthy food, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.

The newly-launched project includes Greenhouse with hydroponics, Nursery, Mushroom Growing House, and a Poultry House, all of which aim to improve the food security, create livelihoods, and promote healthy eating, as aligned to DA-NUPAP’s core objective.

Ms. Carol Albay, Regional NUPAP focal person, highlighted that she was inspired by neighboring ASEAN countries in forwarding Philippines’ self-sufficiency in terms of food production through sustainable farming practices. She added that the department shall further invest its budget in building greenhouse infrastructures just like the current model farm, in line with the promotion of urban agriculture technologies.

She further mentioned how the education sector stands crucial in promoting agriculture among the youth, as the future of the agricultural industry lies on the current programs for young fellows.

“Makikipagcollaborate kami with the state universities para sa university level pa lang, matutunan na ng ating mga estudyante ‘yung value ng agriculture investments. And of course, the DepEd (Department of Education), irerevive namin ang partnership with the department.”

In accordance with this, RDET Director Janet Cunanan, Ph.D. reminds the members of the educational sector who were present during the event, that they should all work together to hone the skills of the students in terms of agriculture. She further mentions that ISU conducts risk assessment to farmers and offers technological solutions and advice as needed. Through this, they are able to help the local farmers in coping up with the challenges of climate.

Noemi Valdez, of ATI-RTC2 noted that their organization sends scholars who are descendants of farmers, to Taiwan, Japan, and Israel to undergo agricultural training.

Valdez also presented the upcoming training of the institute on greenhouses. Regional Executive Director Dr. Rose Mary G. Aquino also extended her message to the attendees of the event through Ms. Albay, wherein sustainability in agriculture was emphasized.

“Ang proyektong ito ay hindi lamang isang imprastraktura kundi isang konkretong hakbang patungo sa isang mas matatag, sustainable, at masaganang sektor ng agrikultura. Sa pamamagitan ng makabago at environment-friendly na technologies, magiging mas episyente ang ating pagtatanim habang pinangangalagaan natin ang ating likas na yaman.”

She also encouraged the participants to continue to enrich urban and peri-urban agriculture in order to achieve the objectives of the country aligned to food security and affordability.

The event is in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Quezon as it serves as the main beneficiary of the initiative.

Through this strategic partnership, the DA seeks to highlight the importance of reaching out to various communities to ensure food sufficiency and economic development as forwarded by agriculture.

Vice Mayor Daryl Gascon expressed his concern regarding the rising prices of commodities, citing his on-ground experiences in their municipality. Given this, he assured the residents of Quezon, Isabela that he and Mayor Jimmy S. Gamazon will efficiently execute projects to ease the problems of their municipality.

Engr. Roger Ocampo, the Municipal Agriculturist, expressed his sincerest gratitude to the Department of Agriculture for its continuous support in advancing the agricultural sector in the province. He specifically referred to projects that have been established in the community since the 2010s.

At par with the advancement of sustainable agriculture, the Greenhouse highlight solarpowered systems with advanced drip irrigation technology. Various hydroponic methods are integrated within the structure’s systems including Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), A Frame hydroponics, thick bed, and grow-out systems. These facilities are currently cultivating high-value crops such as Japanese melons, honeydew, lettuce, and many other plants which are crucial in enhancing the region’s agricultural system.

DTI Isabela Acting Provincial Director Atty. Cyrus Restauro particularly praised the idea of the Mushroom Growing House as it is a crucial factor in the mushroom production of the region especially catered for commercial use. He mentioned that discussions onpotential partnerships with local pizza companies can be made through the presence of this efficient facility.

Moreover, the poultry house is further built in order to enhance the livestock production of the municipality in order to maintain the availability of high-quality poultry products in the local market. Such a project is aligned to the department’s commitment to offer sustainable poultry farming practices and affordable poultry prices to the community.

Aside from the infrastructures, more than P400,000 worth of grant agricultural supplies were also handed over to LGU Quezon including 10 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds, 50 pieces fruit-bearing trees, 50 bags of fertilizers, 112.5 kilograms of potting mix, 150 pieces of seedling tray, 50 pieces of plastic crate, 10 units of plastic drum, 2 units of wheelbarrow, 2 units of soil auger, and 2 units of mini tilling machine.

The ribbon cutting of the ceremony was headed by Vice Mayor, Hon. Daryl Gascon along with MA Engr. Ocampo, Atty. Restauro, PSDS Everlina Santiago, Ms. Carol P. Albay, Ms. Noemi Valdez, Dr. Janet P. Cunanan and Sangguniang Bayan members of Quezon, Isabela.

The inauguration of this NUPAP project serves as a milestone for the department’s efforts to promote food security, innovation, and sustainability in Region 02.

Through technological improvements and stronger partnerships, the DA-RFO 02 shall continue to improve the local agricultural sector to achieve the department’s objective regarding sufficient local food production.