The Department of Agriculture (DA) has forged partnerships with the Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and Pilmico Foods Corporation (Aboitiz and Pilmico), TriMerA Integrated Farm (TriMerA), and the SM Supermalls to secure the country's food supply and production.
DA Secretary William Dar said on Tuesday, Jan. 25, that he signed the Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) focusing on the implementation of various Urban Agriculture (UA) projects through the help of the mentioned private entities.
DA and Aboitiz and Pilmico will set up livelihood projects for farmers and fishers by building urban and peri-urban gardens to attain food security. The latter will also provide packages for egg and swine production and aquaponics farming systems.
TriMerA, on the other hand, will look for a rabbit production area and oversee the project operations through the dissemination of new stocks from the beneficiaries, leading the marketing and distribution of the produce.
Meanwhile, SM Supermalls will lead the establishment of a food garden that will be a source of accessible and affordable food for urban homes and communities. The garden will generate additional income for project participants who will receive training from DA's Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
Aside from the education support from ATI, the DA, along with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and National Livestock Program (NLP), will provide starter kits, information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, and other forms of assistance to TriMerA.
The DA-BPI will also assist SM Supermalls by providing starter kits to establish urban and peri-urban gardens, extending technical assistance, and conducting monitoring activities.