MANDALUYONG CITY, Metro Manila—Two of the organic farms supported by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) were front and center during the 2018 Food Garden Congress held as part of the launching program of the 44th Nutrition Month of the National Nutrition Council and ABS-CBN-DZMM.

Eco Natural Integrated Farm, an ATI Learning Site in Victoria, Tarlac, and Forest Wood Garden, which is a farm tourism site in San Pablo, City, took part in the exhibit set up for the event. Some of the products they showcased were honey, crispy mushroom, free range chicken eggs, duck eggs, guava apple, fruit vinegar, centella juice, herbal teas, coco menthol balm, and liniment.

Eco Natural Integrated Farm owner, Emma Tolentino, also served as a resource person on natural fertilizers including fermented plant juice, fermented fruit juice, oriental herbal nutrient, and indigenous microorganisms.

“These concoctions can be made out of [kitchen] wastes or leftovers in your own homes. They can be used for plants but they can also be a source of vitamins for children,” she said.

With the theme “Ugaliing magtanim, sapat na nutrisyon aanihin”, the 44th Nutrition Month celebration aims to contribute to the improvement of the nutritional status of Filipinos through improved food access.

The Food Garden Congress served as the celebration’s kickoff activity which included exhibits and technical sessions on nutrition and food gardening technologies. Around 200 stakeholders and residents from different cities in Metro Manila took part in the activity which is the first of four congresses to be held in different areas nationwide.

Aside from farm advisory services provided by the representatives of Eco Natural Integrated Farm and Forest Wood Garden, free information materials on different agricultural technologies were also distributed by staff from the ATI Information Services Division.

The 2018 Food Garden Congress for Metro Manila areas was held on July 7, 2018 at the SM Megamall in this city.