Another major seed company is East-West Seed Co., one of the largest vegetable seed companies in Southeast Asia, headquartered in Thailand. It maintains a strong focus on tropical varieties such as ampalaya, pechay, tomato, and eggplant. Its products are widely available in garden shops and online, and the company is well known for developing hybrid seeds specifically tailored for Philippine conditions. These products are versatile enough to be cultivated even in small urban plots. Similarly, Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds Corp. established in 1982, offers a wide range of vegetable seeds including lettuce, cucumber, and radish from its office in Makati. Its seeds are noted for their ability to germinate and thrive in containers. Seedworks Philippines is another supplier that focuses on improved seed varieties and R&D, catering to both commercial farmers and smaller growers or hobbyists. Ramgo International Corp. serves as a major distributor of seeds and agricultural inputs, carrying multiple seed lines and specializing in bulk buying and established distribution channels. Finally, Haverson Enterprises offers a variety of vegetable seeds and gardening inputs for the local market.

Within the National Capital Region, there are several urban gardening suppliers especially relevant to home growers, balcony gardeners, and hobbyists like me. A leading Manila-based supplier is KSHC Seeds Trading, which is especially suited to those looking for affordable seed packets for beginners. Right in the middle of Cubao in Quezon City is Farmers Garden, a very appropriate one-stop shop for urban gardeners looking for seeds, seedlings, and gardening supplies. Then there is Filipinas Agri Growers Supply, Inc., which caters to mid-scale urban gardening projects such as those for schools and homeowners' associations within subdivisions. Urban Goes Green specializes in gardening supplies like soil, fertilizers, and herbicides, while Urban Greens is an initiative in Makati that promotes growing your own food in the city. For those promoting sustainable practices, Urban Vermicomposting PH focuses on organic systems that complement seed growing with composting solutions for sustainable home food production. Urban Garden Seed also offers vegetable, fruit, and herb seeds for home gardeners. Because it provides tools and starter kits, this enterprise fits the needs of beginners who want easy ordering and practical guidance.

As a planting guide for the more than 10 million people residing in the NCR, keep in mind that this urban conglomerate has two main seasons: the dry season from November to May and the wet season from June to October. January and February, being both cool and dry, represent the best season to plant lettuce, pechay, carrots, and herbs. The hot-dry season from March to May is good for planting kangkong, okra, eggplants, and sili, provided the seeds are heat-tolerant. The period of June to July, which coincides with the beginning of the school year for public schools, is appropriate for planting kangkong and malunggay, though one should avoid lettuce and tomatoes during this time. During the transition months of August and September, tomatoes grown in sheltered containers, eggplant, and peppers are appropriate. The fourth quarter of the year remains the best for lettuce, pechay, herbs, and tomatoes. For these specific crops, the best companies include East-West Seed Company, Harbest (Known-You), and Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds Corporation.

In summary, beginners should start with leafy greens and herbs using the cool months of October to February for the best results. Seeds can be purchased from East-West, Harbest, Kaneko, and local shops like KSHC. Growers can later expand to tomatoes, peppers, and fruits like papayas, especially the “Solo” variety from Harbest. Producing food from urban gardens right in the middle of the National Capital Region will go a long way toward minimizing transport costs and reducing food inflation. This inflation can reach as high as 10 percent in the coming months as the world recovers from the ravages of the US-Iran war; hopefully, these local efforts can keep overall inflation below the five percent level.

Every crisis should be turned into an opportunity. Any growing interest in farming as an occupation among members of the middle class may lead to a solution for the grave problem of the advanced average age of the typical Filipino farmer, which has risen to sixty years. Children of farmers, having witnessed the suffering of their parents resulting from decades of government neglect, are often the last to choose farming as a career, migrating instead to construction, manufacturing, or overseas work. This is why I am glad to learn that forward-looking people in business and education have organized the Dagatan Family Farm School and Dual Agritech Training Center in Lipa, Batangas. Located at 120 Narra St., Purok 1-B, Brgy. Dagatan, the school trains youth in modern technology and the entire agribusiness value chain, including storage, logistics, and food processing.

Dagatan is part of the Dual Agritech system, a modern training model that combines classroom instruction with hands-on farm and industry training. The program follows a two-phase structure involving six months of classroom instruction on agricultural science and agribusiness concepts, followed by real farm work and industry immersion. This "dual" approach is inspired by European training systems in countries like Germany, France, and Spain. The school offers TESDA tech-voc programs such as Organic Agriculture Production (NC II) and Agri-entrepreneurship (NC II). Its unique features include "learning by doing," training in modern technology like hydroponics and agri-robotics, and a strong emphasis on values formation and discipline.

It must also be pointed out that the province of Batangas will host the largest poultry project in Asia, managed by Jollibee Foods Corporation in partnership with Cargill Philippines. This joint venture, Cargill Joy Poultry Meats Production, Inc. (C-Joy), operates a large processing plant in Santo Tomas, Batangas, which supplies dressed and marinated chicken to Jollibee’s brands and works with local poultry farmers across the CALABARZON region. Let this food crisis lead to an increase in Filipino youth choosing agribusiness over the traditional obsession with a college degree. Dagatan is for senior high school graduates and any youth interested in agribusiness, not just those from farming families. The employability among graduates is currently 95%, with others becoming successful agri-preneurs. The Dagatan Dual Agritech School stands as one of the leading modern, skills-oriented training centers in the Philippines, combining European-style training with a focus on the technology necessary for today’s business-oriented farming.