In order to mitigate the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on farming communities, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has started a market gardening project for farmers in Angono, Rizal. DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said they are pushing for the use of hydroponics and market gardening technologies to mitigate COVID-19 threats to food security in some municipalities in Calabarzon .
DOST-Calabarzon embarked on the agricultural project through the Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTC) of Cavite and Rizal. “As part of this project, DOST-PSTC Rizal scheduled various training and seminars on agriculture and provided modern agricultural tools and equipment to members of the Angono-New Normal Farmers Association (ANNFA)”, said de la Peña.
“The emphasis is now on helping to market their products and maintain their agricultural activities.” De la Peña also revealed that PSTC-Cavite has just started prefabrication for the rehabilitation of three greenhouses in the Bukid Kabataan center in General Trias City, Cavite.
The initiative is part of the project “Sustainable and Intensive and Efficient Technology-Based Community Production Systems (Sustainable Vegies) for the Bukid Kabataan Center”. “This will be followed by the installation of the CLSU (Central Luzon State University) advanced hydroponic system,” he said.
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