Institutional edible landscape technology demonstration gardens as a tool for dissemination of urban agriculture programs in the selected DA [Department of Agriculture] Regional Field Offices
2023
Dote, V.M.B. | Sanchez, F.C. Jr | Balladares, M.C.E. | Delos Reyes, J.A. | De Guzman, R.P. | Medina, N.G. | Espino, M.R.M. | Lawas, J.B.E. | Sanchez, F.M.M.
Institutional technology demonstration (Techno-demo) gardens have been utilized by different government agencies, local government units, and non-government organizations as a tool to cascade technologies of urban agriculture to achieve food- and nutrition-secure communities. Edible landscaping (EL), as an innovative approach to crop production that transforms idle spaces into aesthetic and functional areas that serve as sources of safe and nutritious food, is among the technologies that are featured in institutional Techno-Demo gardens in the Philippines. In line with this, the University of the Philippines Los Baos EL Team implemented the project entitled 'Enhancing Regional Capacities on Urban Agriculture towards Nutrition-sensitive Crop Production through Edible Landscaping'. One of its objectives is to establish EL Techno-Demo gardens in the selected Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices (DA RFOs). The strategy is to establish site-specific and scalable EL Techno-Demo gardens that showcase locally available crops and indigenous food crops. The establishment followed the three (3) phases of EL-1) Design, 2) Implementation, and 3) Maintenance phases. The establishment of the EL Techno-demo gardens followed a participatory approach wherein the DA RFOS played a crucial role in the design, implementation, and maintenance processes. Constant communication and dialogue were conducted to ensure the direct involvement of the DA RFOs towards shared responsibility for the EL Techno-demo/gardens for its long-term sustainability. To date, three EL Techno Demo gardens have been established and maintained at DA RFOs 02, 4B, and 05. These gardens serve as learning sites for the stakeholders that can be replicated by stakeholder groups, farmers' associations, and interested individuals or practitioners in the region.
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