Bulacan awards best community vegetable garden
CITY OF MALOLOS – Bulacan Gov. Daniel R. Fernando led the awarding ceremony of the Best Community Vegetable Garden under the 3k: Kabataan, Kalikasan, at AgriKultura Project of the Provincial Agricultur Office (PAO) and Provincial Youth, Sports and Public Employment Service Office (PYSPESO) held at the Balagtas Hall in Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here last January 24, 2022.
The timely project aims to engage the youth in agriculture and environment especially during this time of pandemic.
It is divided into two categories, the Plot/Field Gardening Category and Containerized Gardening Category.
“Congratulations sa lahat ng winners, pero sa totohanan, hindi ito ginawa para lang bigyan kayo ng premyo sa isang patimpalak, kundi para hikayatin kayo sa pagsasaka. Nawawalan na tayo ng kabataang nagmamana ng ating mga sakahan. Tinanong ko nga yung ilang magsasaka kung bakit sila nagbebenta ng lupa, ang sagot ‘kasi po ‘yung anak ko ayaw ng magsaka,” Fernando shared.
Samahan ng Makabagong Kabataang Progresibo (SAMAKAPO) Plaridel-Banga 2nd bagged the top award in Plot/Field Gardening Category followed by Damayang Filipino Kabataan – Bocaue on second place and SAMAKAPO-Malolos on 3rd place.
They received certificate of recognition and P20,000, P15,000 and P10,000 cash prize respectively.
For the Containerized Category, SAMAKAPO-Bulihan, Plaridel bagged the 1st place award and took home P20,000 while LYDO Bustos composed of Sci-LG Com Club and Barkada Kontra Droga of Cambaog National High School received 2nd place and took home P15,000.
Fernando stressed that as future leaders, the youth will have to know how to cultivate the agriculture industry because it is one of the primary sources of food and livelihood.
“Nagbabago ang panahon, ‘di natin pwedeng i-apply ‘yung mga noon kaya kailangan pa rin ng tuluy-tuloy na learning, kailangan ng suporta ng mga natitira nating magsasaka. Dahil dito, itinayo ang Famers Training Center ng PGB na libreng ibinibigay sa inyo. Bukod dito kailangan natin ng actual, dun natin ilalagay ang agri tourism sa DRT na tatawaging Productivity Center,” Fernando said.
The governor also added that in the near future, beside the Productivity Center will rise the Multiplier and Breeding Center to cater the need for meat.
Meanwhile, prior to the awarding, the youth were given technical trainings on effective planting and inputs including seeds, organic fertilizers and garden tools.
Participants were evaluated based on proper gardening; production; members participation and continuity of the project.
The said activity was joined by 120 Bulakenyo Youths from 52 organizations including Sangguniang Kabataan, DF Kabataan and out of school youth. ###