Urban gardening draws attention to many as the country continues to reel from the adverse effects of the novel coronavirus disease pandemic.

As communities and families were on quarantine a movement sprung in urban areas across the country as the Department of Agriculture leads in the promotion of the Plant, Plant Plant Program, or Agri 4P’s.

Filipinos are now more engaged in growing their food in their own backyard. Youths are forming community movements that support green advocacy. Private and government institutions also support government efforts in the pursuit of food sufficiency and security.

As the demand increases for the concoctions, the DA-Caraga through the Organic Agriculture Program offers free training with regards to the preparations of the said inputs.	To complement the urban gardening introduced by the department through the Plant, Plant, Plant Program or Agri 4P’s, the Organic Agriculture Program distributes free concoctions to interested urban gardeners.

In the Caraga region, to complement the urban gardening initiatives of the Department the Organic Agriculture Program look into the essential role of the fertilizer in the overall growth and yield of vegetable crops. With this, massive production of concoctions from fruit and plant extracts were produced.

“The growing interest of Caraganons in growing their own food inspires us to impart the benefits of organic agriculture practice by offering free concoctions. This is how the program continuously promotes sustainable agriculture,” said Cindy Burdeos, DA-Caraga Regional Organic Agriculture Program Focal Person.

Concoctions are also referred to as natural fertilizers, it is eco-friendly sourced from natural materials such as plants, mineral, or animal sources.

“Natural fertilizers can enhance the growth and health of the plants. Through this intervention our urban gardeners can produce fresh and safe food for their families,” Burdeos said.

The application of concoctions can also contribute to the healing of the soil by ending the chemically-induced depletion and strengthening the soil’s potential as carbon-consuming sinks thus, promotes sustainable agriculture, she added.

Currently, the program is distributing the following concoctions: Fish Amino Acid (FAA), Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), and Indigenous Microorganism (IMO).

As the demand increases for the concoctions, the DA-Caraga through the Organic Agriculture Program offers free training with regards to the preparations of the said inputs. (Rhea Abao/DA13-RAFIS)