(I am publishing this in toto. It was written by one of our beneficiaries of GUGMA (Go Urban Gardening: Making food Available), our flagship program in support to Secretary Dar's #PlantPlantPlant and #UrbanAgriculture call. Our GUGMA (Or love in Cebuano) recipients still have many stories to tell. We will be featuring some in the next few weeks.)
Introduction
As being understood even in our early years, of the three basic human needs, the quest for food ranks first. And while population increases somewhat geometrically, food availability should also rise in direct proportion to such population increase.
For a good number of past generations, food production is left to be executed by a sector in society – the farmers’- fishers’ sector. As produce are being confined to select areas and communities, costs and food availability are oftentimes not being controllable for society’s full benefit, as the trading aspect of the business does its role, oftentimes much better than that of the producers themselves.
The Covid – 19 Scenario
It maybe noteworthy mentioning the various restrictions and movement limitations on the citizenry, sometimes leaning towards non-logical perspectives. Economists see its direct effect on productivity and on an intermittent growth blockade. And a growing imbalance on the supply-demand considerations, affecting inherently food production and supply; lessening supply, and sustained demand quantities.
As the sages say, inventions and discoveries are outcomes of basic needs resulting from crises or extreme difficulties. Thus, it follows that the citizenry is somewhat “forced” to think outside the box, if only to cope with the need of the times. And the relatively “easy way out” of the food difficulty, is to produce one’s own.
The City Agriculture Office of Iligan has provided some seeds to all residents of Iligan City who intends to plant same. Notably, a good number of Iligan residents responded to the call, and thus, a “vegetable planting revolution”, mostly on green leafy vegetables on pots happened in a matter of days. And consequently, with the planting bandwagon moving onstream, prices of plastic pots increased. Hereunder are these seeds.
A Noble Response
An early respondent to the call, I also did some planting myself. However, with the seemingly intolerable costs of the rather nice plastic pots, I made use of recyclable cups which I asked from some of the food stores in the city. And having got several sachets of these seeds, I planted them on these paper/plastic cups, and as the seedlings grew, I handed them to friends who likewise intended to have these transplanted in their yards.
As for me, some seedlings I transplanted at a very small piece of corner land (1ft x 8 ft) beside my gate, being lined up with whatever container available for this purpose.
The GUGMA Program of ATI
Having felt the enthusiastic new gardener in me, I heeded Ms. Emedina Juevesano’s invitation to attend the August 14, 2020 Orientation and Launching of the Go Urban Gardening Making Food Available (GUGMA) Program of the Agricultural Training Institute, Region X, through the facilitation of Balay sa Hardin (an ATI Learning Site). The orientation and corresponding mechanics of the program, given by Ms. Teodosia Jaraba (who we fondly call Ma’m Inday) of ATI Region X, further provided encouragement and enhanced my craving towards gardening and its various merits. Other related insights were being provided by Mr. and Mrs. Art and Gloria Fernando of Balay sa Hardin, City Agriculture Officer In Charge Mr. Jose Desiderio Oyoa and City Agriculture Office Staff, Sylvia Molo.
A pack of seeds was given to the attendees if only to inspire them further to start planting and establish one’s own vegetable garden. Further, flyers from ATI, which provided scientifically-proven ways of doing things were being distributed and shared to the participants for their enhanced learning of the trade.
A very welcome development which further enhanced each participant’s positive response towards executing the suggested practices were some (gardening) tools and materials made available to them. Gardeners’ kits were provided to GUGMA beneficiaries in the 1st week September 2020. These were subsequently delivered by Ms. Emedina and myself to the members of the Villaverde Team.
Responding to a Productive Challenge
Living in an urban subdivision, such as Steelmakers Village (where owners were once employees of the Iligan Steel Plant) and devoid of any piece of land designed for agriculture nor garden purposes, the challenge to respond and produce to expectations from the agricultural/gardening sector becomes a difficult one. Seemingly, urban subdivisions, being designed as dwellings for employees, where houses either only fits to a small lot, or only having cemented spaces as clean passages for its occupants or car passages/car park, would in hindsight be viewed as incapable of responding to such challenge.
The idea, however, is worth looking into, especially at current scenario where the need for self-reliance and self-sufficiency is the call of the times. Thus, this may just be a matter of simply defining the factors involved; where defining one’s intentions has proven being key to just about everything.
Creating utilizable sites from Ground areas, Water passages and Air Spaces
At closer look, it becomes apparent that small corners between passage spaces and fences may still be utilizable, no matter how narrow, for the growing vegetables. Thus, with this consideration, three (3) narrow frontyard spaces becomes available : area 1- eastside ( 1’ x 8’) ; area 2 – southside(0.75’x 10’) ; and, area 3 – northside (1’x 10’)
My area 1 is currently growing 8 pole sitao, with current daily harvest yield of an average of 8 pairs pole sitao vegetables. The area 2 is currently planted with 2 okra and 2 talong, with current average daily harvest yield of 4 okra and 2 talong. Area 3, as in other areas, notably is a very small piece of land, yet it provides an even much more produce. A significant factor is the available air space connected with it. Being planted with 8 Ampalaya seedlings, its vine occupies the air space within which my car is being parked. At current times, this area yields an average daily harvest of 8 ampalaya vegetables, and progressing each week.
A Personal Bayanihan Thrust : Cultivating a Roadside, off-canal Garden
Having exhausted all utilizable spaces at the frontyard, I see a stretch of soil space at the back of the southside fence, facing the subdivision road (with a water drainage canal beside it. The very narrow strip of land measures 0.5 ft x 10 ft. I cleaned it of weeds, stocked stones/pebbles, and removed some garbage being thrown in the area. After putting in some bags of garden soil, the narrow strip has become ready for planting. I chose Okra and Talong to be grown in there, interspaced with each other. It accommodated 5 Talong and 4 Okra plants. Now, these plants have continually yielded vegetables.
Fruits of these plants had been shared with trisikad drivers which abound in the area; these drivers were politely advised that while these produce are being shared to them, they may pick the fruits (which they periodically do), however leaving the plant unharmed. Have also shared a good number of seedlings to both these trisikad drivers and neighbors alike.
Other Potential Areas
As one is keen in one’s observations, other areas may be seen as both potential garden sites and suitability to related agribusiness. Some details re this shall be discussed in the sequel of this article, which shall revolve around an equally-important and fascinating subject : A Multi-Faceted Garden in an Urban Subdivision.
An Expression of Gratitude
Well-aligned with the intention to be of service, I hereby express much appreciation to both the Agricultural Training Institute and the Balay sa Hardin for having me being part of and being assisted thru their very kind-hearted developmental and progressive project. I should express profound thanks to the organizers and coordinators of this project, more importantly to Ma’m Inday, having provided much encouragement and technical assistance.
Thank you very much, and God bless.
Cesar Y. Yamuta
02 Steelmakers Village, Iligan City
Email : kuyacesaryam@yahoo.com Mobile : 09173896007