Sharon Farm Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony led by Mayor Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte, Hon. Asuncion Visaya, Most Rev. Roberto O. Gaa, D.D, Emmanuel Hugh F. Velasco, Doc Antonio Alfonso
Sharon Farm, an integrated urban farm situated at the heart of the city, was launched last June 2, 2021, with collaborative efforts and partnership between public and private stakeholders.
The area owned by the Diocese of Novaliches that is approximately 5,500 square meter before the Gulayan sa Siyudad project.
The area identified for the Gulayan sa Siyudad project after the the implementation and launching.
The farm that used to be a bare and unused land was developed into a fully functioning innovative urban farm through the support and partnership between the Department of Agriculture Agricultural Training Institute (DA ATI), Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) member companies RAMGO, Corteva, and Harbest, Diocese of Novaliches, LGU Novaliches, and QC Food Security Task Force.
Memorandum of Agreement signing between the DA-Agricultural Training Institute, Philippine Seed Industry Association, Diocese of Novaliches and LGU of Novaliches
Under the the Department of Agriculture’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program to promote Urban Agriculture, the official partnership and agreement was concluded between the stakeholders with the common goals of promoting Urban Agriculture as a measure to contribute to food security, develop safe and nutritionally adequate food systems, and protect the environment using innovative eco-friendly farming methods.
This is also in line with the message of Sec. William Dar delivered by his representative during the MOA signing and launching, “The Philippine Agriculture must transform into a more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable food system so it could better respond to the pandemic and other pressing challenges in the sector. With all this, I stand firm on the principle that urban agriculture is also the way forward in helping secure the country’s food needs today more than ever.“
The integrated urban farm was subdivided into sections to showcase new technology-driven urban farming practices and allot spaces for the different sectoral program beneficiaries.
Ramgo Seeds showcases some of its top-performing varieties in the lowland for urban setting during the launch of Gulayan sa Siyudad in Sharon Farm.
The 300 sq.m area allotted for the PSIA RAMGO, Corteva and Harbest, showcases innovative urban farming practices using drip irrigation, mulching, and the use of quality vegetable seeds. The other section is composed of aquaponics, vertical garden, container garden, composting area, and poultry raising area.
Ceremonial Planting and Harvesting of Mayor Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte, Most Rev. Roberto O. Gaa, D.D Bishop, Diocese of Novaliches, Hon. Asuncion Visaya Brgy. Capt. of Novaliches Proper, DA-ATI member, Philippine Seed Association representative, and Emmanuel Hugh F. Velasco, Co-Chairperson & Action Officer of QC Food Security Task Force
However, in order for Urban Farming and this movement to be sustainable and successful, the involvement and improvement of the community should be an integral part of the program. With this, several groups present in the community were identified as program beneficiaries and will also manage a certain section of the farm. The beneficiary groups are the Unemployed returning OFWs, Kababaihan Women’s Group Barangay Novaliches Proper, SMKP (Labor Ministry), 4Ps of Novaliches Proper, QCPD Station 4, Boyscouts of the Philippines High School Students, and SK Gulaynihan. The groups will be also be assigned to manage a certain portion in the area, will be trained in common farming practices, and grow their own vegetables with technical assistance from DAATI and Ramgo.
This program and movement aim to improve the access of urban settlers and disadvantaged groups to safe and nutritious food, promote social inclusion, and become an important means for recreation and educational activities for the community.
Farming and growing food in an urban setting presents opportunities and also comes with challenges. Nonetheless, with the collective efforts and participation of public-private stakeholders and the whole community, challenges can be addressed. With the current multifunctionality of this program, it will surely play a crucial role in the sustainability of the food supply in the city in the future.