SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna - Agricultural Training Institute - CALABARZON and accredited Extension Service Provider (ESP), ABF Integrated Farms teamed-up in conducting two batches of "Community-based Training on Urban Gardening for Food Security."

The three-day training intends to develop competent and well-equipped practitioners and advocates of urban gardening in the city and nearby areas. Hence, the Center tapped in-school and out of school youth, Sanggunian Kabataan Federation, Seven Lakes Bikers and vegetarians to participate and train about urban agriculture.

During her inspirational message, Center Director, Ms. Marites Piamonte Cosico encouraged the participants to continuously support DA programs and actively advocate urban agriculture in their respective communities.

In order to practice and hone the new skills they learned from the training, each participant received an urban starter kit composed of vegetable seeds, seedling trays, potting mix, Vermicast, and garden tools among others.

Romy Boy Zaldo, one of the participants, shared his training experience during the closing ceremony. "Madami po akong bagong natutunan dito gaya ng pamilya ng halaman at paggawa ng mga pagkain nila. Natuwa din po ako na pwede palang alagaan ang mga bulate para matulungan tayong gumawa ng pataba sa lupa. Sana po ay may mga susunod pang pagsasanay pagkatapos nito."

The two batches of training were held on February 19-21, 2021 and March 9-11, 2021 at ABF Integrated Farms in this city.