Industry and government leaders yesterday said innovative strategies geared toward achieving sustainable agricultural practices can be adopted within the urban setting.
“Urban and peri-urban agriculture do not replace rural production, but rather complements it. It is a way of sustainable living because we produce food in our cities and in our own communities,” said Gerald Glenn Panganiban, director of the Bureau of Plant Industry, at the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City.
Panganiban highlighted the need for adopting and supporting urban farming as part of a holistic approach to securing food sustainability, mitigating environmental impact, and promoting inclusive community development.
Cecilio Pedro, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.. said private sector can be a partner in this endeavor. “We, the people involved in business, are willing to invest as long as we’re going to see that it’s going to be profitable in the future so that we can sustain the operation. It is a very tough job, and we need everyone’s help. We need to put our acts together with the government, academe, and private sector,” Pedro said.
William Dar, senior adviser of GoNegosyo’s Kapatid Angat Lahat A griculture Program, concurred with Pedro, stressing that agriculture is a business proposition.
“Let’s not plant without using technologies or innovations and cluster ourselves into cooperatives so that we can partner with private sectors and be part of the value chain system,” Dar said.
