The status and growth potentials of the Department of Agriculture?s Agri-pinoy urban agriculture program: Analysis of seven communal gardens in Metro Manila

Date

5-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Faustino Q. Arrienda II

Abstract

According to the Memorandum Order as of series of 2012, the consistent goal of the Department of Agriculture is to attain food self-reliance and self-sufficiency by enhancing the capability of Filipinos to produce their own food via different means of vegetable and other alternative staple crop production. The program defined the National Capital Region as their pilot site because it is the largest urban center in the country. Communal gardens were established in 30 congressional districts from April 2012 to December 2013. Their strategies for implementation focused on providing trainings for their beneficiaries and to establish and improve new or existing communal gardens. Their goal was to establish one communal garden per district. Face-to-face and phone interviews with the key personnel of seven communal gardens in selected cities in Metro Manila were made, specifically at Quezon City, Marikina, Las Piñas, Manila, Caloocan, Valenzuela, and Muntinlupa. These gardens were supported by the Department of Agriculture and their Congressional Districts for their sustainability. Comparative analysis was used to assess the production, marketing, and socio-economic aspects of the seven communal gardens. Proforma income statement was used to assess the profitability of each garden. The common challenges for urban farming practice are the urban zoning policies, presence of pests and weeds, limited available land space, lack of water supply, natural catastrophe, improper usage of wastewater, urban pollution, insufficient source of revolving funds and expensive cost of adapting modern farming technology. Almost all farms visited could be a potential vegetable producer in their localities. Aside from their immediate environment, the gardens should consider marketing their produce in specialized markets like small businesses, restaurants, and nearby dry markets. They could sell their produce lower than the existing market prices. Discounted prices can serve as their competitive edge to other vegetable producers. The opportunities which can look at to practice urban farming are: rapid increase of urban population available urban farming technologies such as simplified hydroponics and greenhouses presence of urban underutilized vacant lots and proliferation of different public and private organizations supporting the urban agriculture and implemented programs.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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