“I believed that Agriculture is the mother of all Industries especially now that we are on crisis due to the covid19 pandemic, we’ve seen how many engaged or has go back to farming” said Mr. Mark Dalogdog of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) one of the judges of the recent Grown My Own Food (GMOF) Project.
On May 26, 2020, a group from the private sector named Origin Box together with the Kapunongan sa Bol-anong Organikong Mag-uuma (KaBOOM), Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants (BAHRR) and Dalareich made a partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol and the Agricultural Training Institute RTC-7 (ATI-7) officially launched the 1st Batch of GMOF Project. It is a backyard garden contest design for the youth, displaced workers and their families, aiming to showcase their gardening skills and ability to grow their own food organically and sustainably in respond to combat against covid19 crisis.
The contest was participated in by 40 participants from the first district of Bohol and runs for 50 days. Participants were given free inputs: assorted seedlings, vermicast and technoguides from ATI-7 as starter kits through its Plant Plant Plant program, while the Provincial Government through the OPA gave away assorted seeds.
Winners were announced in time of the Bohol Day celebration on July 22 this year at the Provincial Capitol, Tagbilaran City. The event was graced by Bohol Provincial Governor who personally shell-out the cash prizes for the winners. 1st, 2nd & 3rd prize winners were identified from each of the towns/city of, Dauis, Panglao and Tagbilaran, respectively while, 1st to 5th prize to other winners from the rest of the 1st district .
According to Gov. Arthur Yap, GMOF Backyard Garden Contest is a program design to inspire Boholanos amidst pandemic and ensure food sustainability and security. He urged every Boholanos to grow their own food at their backyard and encouraged displaced workers from Districts 1 and 2 to participate in the batch 2 contests.
While the 40 participants will be given additional farm inputs from ATI-7; SMART Communications, Crissander, Mansmith and Jojie’s Bakeshop sponsored for the special award to the participants. These are pocket wifi, slot to the Digital farmers program, plaques and baked products.
Some of the participants said that the GMOF program not only inspire and motivate them to participate the contest but serves as a way to bond with their families, earn from their produce, eat nutritious/organically grown vegetables, making use of their available spaces at home and recycled old containers.
“GMOF is not just a contest but a community and a support group, we want to show to the whole world how resilient Boholanos are” said Dalareich Polot of Origin Box.