DA-BPI turns over solar-powered indoor farming system to Million Trees Foundation

The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry formally turned over a solar-powered Indoor Cultivation System to the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. on Tuesday in Quezon City, marking a major push for climate-smart and space-efficient urban agriculture in the Philippines.

The turnover event gathered leaders from government, the private sector, civil society, and the academe. Present were Bureau of Plant Industry Director Dr. Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban—represented by Engr. Elaiza Nicole S. Dotimas, OIC-Chief of the Agricultural Engineering Division—Million Trees Foundation President and Executive Director Melandrew T. Velasco, MWSS Deputy Administrator Ryan Ayson, Rotary International District 3780 incoming District Governor Rhyan Virrey, PBDIC Executive Director Butch Madarang, Maynilad Vice President for Quality, Sustainability and Resiliency Atty. Roel Espiritu, and Quezon City Urban Farming Head Cristina Perez.

In his message, Panganiban said the Indoor Cultivation System represents more than a new technological tool, describing it as “a symbol of collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to food security.”

“The turnover of the Indoor Cultivation System is an important step toward strengthening food production in our urban communities. With its integrated controls and adaptive indoor farming capabilities, this system will support research, enhance training initiatives, and advance climate-smart production within limited spaces,” he said.

Powered by solar energy, the ICS is designed for soil-less food production and optimized energy use, enabling the cultivation of safe and nutritious vegetables in compact environments. It is expected to supply fresh produce to beneficiaries while serving as a working model for modern urban agriculture practices.

Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte, in a message read on her behalf by the Urban Farming Chief, highlighted the city’s ongoing partnership with the Million Trees Foundation and BPI–NUPAP to scale up science-based technologies for urban farming.

“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to building a greener, more food-secure, and climate-resilient city. By harnessing solar energy for sustainable, soil-less food production, we empower our communities to grow more with less—less land, less water, and less environmental impact,” Belmonte said.

The Million Trees Foundation was also recognized for its sustained advocacy for watershed protection and community-based environmental restoration. Velasco shared the organization’s evolution from the Annual Million Trees Challenge launched by MWSS in 2017 to its continuing commitment to plant one million trees annually until 2030 to protect seven critical watersheds supplying potable water to Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan.

“This system will further strengthen our programs on sustainability and in urban agriculture and environmental education. With BPI’s support, we can transform innovation into meaningful impact for communities,” Velasco said.

The turnover also marked the launch of an Information Caravan on Urban Agriculture, which provides training on vegetable gardening, pest management, food safety, and indoor cultivation techniques. BPI said the program aims to ensure technologies are accessible, practical, and sustainably adopted, empowering more Filipinos to grow safe and nutritious food even in limited city spaces.