DILIMAN, Quezon City—To boost the efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote urban agriculture as an easy household activity and a source of healthy, nutritious, and safe food, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) held a harvest festival in its demo farm.

With the theme "Gulayan sa Bakuran, Kayamanan ng Bawat Tahanan,” the event gave ATI employees the opportunity to pick and take home fresh vegetables such as lettuce, pechay, ampalaya, and herbs from the “ATIng Gulayan ng DA” demo farm.

In his opening remarks, Partnerships and Accreditation Division (PAD) chief Engr. Renato Dela Cruz encouraged the employees to venture into urban farming as a source of healthy food for the family and of additional income as well.

OIC Assistant Director Rosana Mula led the ceremonial harvest of vegetables. In her message, she spoke of the possibility of expanding the demo farm so that the employees can have access to a wide variety of vegetables for their families.

Free seminars on vegetable handling and processing were also held. Mia Dela Cruz, Supervising Science Research Specialist from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, talked about shelf life extension and quality maintenance for selected vegetables.

Dela Cruz emphasized that production practices, harvest maturity, post-harvest handling, and storage affect quality and shelf life of vegetables.

Meanwhile, Marjoe Mandero, Corporate Executive Chef of Waffle Time Group of Companies, discussed vegetable processing. A hands-on activity was also held to demonstrate how to make vegetable-based jam and different types of salad dressing.

ATI central office employees were present during the harvest festival held on December 9, 2019 at the demo farm established and maintained by the Institute under the “ATIng Gulayan ng DA” program. This followed the first harvest event last March 29, 2019 with representatives from ATI's partner institutions.