20 people with disability successfully completed the three-day training on urban gardening, held in Tabogon, Cebu
Cebu - The wrath brought by COVID-19 pandemic knows no bounds. All groups of people experienced varying impacts from the pandemic. Livelihood is among the sectors severely affected by the pandemic. Access of people to livelihoods was interrupted, especially to people who have limited access, like people with disabilities. The Department of Agriculture implements programs to ensure continued food access, production, and supply, and stabilize food prices both in urban and rural areas.
The training was held in support to the Plant, Plant, Plant Program or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa COVID-19 of the Department of Agriculture. The training also looked into the inclusion of people with disability, ensuring they have given fair access to this type of support.
On 6 – 8 July 2021, a training titled, “Grow your own food: a training on urban gardening for PWDs,” was held in Tabogon, Cebu. 20 people with disability from the municipality of Tabogon in Cebu were able to successfully complete the three-day training.
The training aims to develop the knowledge, skills, attitude and spirit of differently-abled persons to engage in basic home vegetable gardening.
In the three-day course of the training, participants learned the benefits of urban gardening; discuss the advantages of vegetable home gardening; develop skills in establishment, care and maintenance of various crops; formulate fertile soil mixture from available sources; utilize biodegradable materials at home for fertilizer and how to perform gardening activities along with family members.
People who have shared their expertise include Nimfa P. Davis, and Zema C. Languido, both from DA-RFO 7. The training was facilitated by Jorge F. Trinidad and Arnel Navarro from ATI-RTC 7, in collaboration with LGU Tabogon, Cebu.
Participants were provided with a starter kit which contained a tumbler, sprinkler, garden tools, plastic pots, and vermicast. These starter kits were sent to the house of the participants prior to the training so they can use the kit right away.
According to Phillip Rondina, “all the inputs I have learned from this training were very informative and interesting. For farmer-PWD, who is one of the most vulnerable sectors in society, this training is well appreciated.”
Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Jorge F. Trinidad, Project Officer, through his email at jftrinidad64@yahoo.com.