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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Quezon City University to advance women-led urban farming

Quezon City University to advance women-led urban farming

Published Aug 25, 2026 09:44 am
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (second from left), with Quezon City University President Dr. Theresita V. Atienza, AgriGaia Tech Co. founder Vanessa Ying Lin, and AgriGaia Tech Co. Ltd. board member Sophia Cheng (from left), during the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement for an urban farming demonstration site at QCU on Monday, Aug. 24. (Photo courtesy of the Quezon City government)
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (second from left), with Quezon City University President Dr. Theresita V. Atienza, AgriGaia Tech Co. founder Vanessa Ying Lin, and AgriGaia Tech Co. Ltd. board member Sophia Cheng (from left), during the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement for an urban farming demonstration site at QCU on Monday, Aug. 24. (Photo courtesy of the Quezon City government)
The Quezon City government will establish an urban farming demonstration site at the Quezon City University (QCU), where women will take the lead in farming activities to boost food security.
The initiative was formalized through a memorandum of agreement with AgriGaia Tech Co. signed Monday, Aug. 24, with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and AgriGaia founder and chief executive officer Vanessa Ying Lin leading the ceremonial signing.
Women will take the lead in urban farming activities at the demonstration site, which will be established inside the QCU campus.
Training sessions and seminars will equip participating women with the knowledge and skills needed for farming.
AgriGaia will provide modular greenhouse structures, soil components, and energy-saving underground irrigation systems for the demonstration site.
According to the city government, the initiative also aims to promote women’s empowerment and community engagement while further strengthening its food security program.
The partnership is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 or Zero Hunger, SDG 5 or Gender Equality, SDG 11 or Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 13 or Climate Action.
The project builds on the city’s existing urban agriculture efforts, including its Joy of Urban Farming (JOUF) program, which provides training and farming inputs and promotes hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical farming.
As of May 2026, the JOUF program had 44,880 urban farmers and 1,496 urban farms.

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METRONEWS Quezon City University urban farming food security women empowerment Quezon City AgriGaia Tech Co.
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