Vegetable gardening is not only beneficial for farmers but also for households, youth groups, community organizations and aspiring entrepreneurs.
ORGANIC farmer and trainer Emma Tolentino (2nd from left) prepares seedling trays during the vegetable farming training at the Villar Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF VILLAR FOUNDATION
A total 72 people are now certified food producers after completing the three-day training on organic vegetable gardening at the Villar Foundation’s farm school.
The trainees gained practical knowledge and skills on growing vegetables in the backyard or community garden for their own consumption or for additional income.
Farmer Emma V. Tolentino conducted the training from 23 to 25 June at the Villar Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite.
Former senator and Villar Foundation managing director Cynthia A. Villar welcomed the participants on the first day of the training, emphasizing to them the vital role of organic farming in promoting food security, environmental protection and sustainable livelihood for families and communities.
Villar said that educating people on environmentally responsible and sustainable food production practices addresses current agricultural challenges while ensuring the availability of safe, nutritious and affordable food.
She also underscored the importance of empowering individuals through agricultural education, noting that organic vegetable gardening is not only beneficial for farmers but also for households, youth groups, community organizations and aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to produce their own food and contribute to environmental conservation.
Prior to the training, a workshop on containerized organic vegetable gardening was conducted by the Villar Foundation Farm School Davao in collaboration with Agricultural Training Institute Region XI in Buhangin, Davao City on 9 to 10 June.
