LGU-Butuan calls on local residents to create a communal vegetable garden for extra income
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY -- The local government of Butuan City called on farmers, vendors and local residents to create their own communal vegetable gardens, which would be of great help for them to gain extra income or livelihood, and sustain their daily consumption especially during this time of health crisis.
According to Engr. Pierre Anthony Joven, Butuan City Agriculturist, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020, the local government unit initiated a plan which would directly address the concerns of affected locals particularly on the loss of employment and livelihood.
Joven emphasized that through the city's AgriBoost program, local farmers and vendors will have a systematic way of selling produce from their communal garden to different establishments.
“For our vendors, we are providing them technology and capacity development to facilitate a faster and more convenient way of selling their produce to the public markets,” said Joven.
Joven also stressed the need to gear up vegetable production as the city only produces 20% of vegetable varieties.
“The City’s Agriboost Program aims to increase the number of vegetable production of the local farmers and improve their livelihood. This is also to ensure food security especially during emergencies and disasters,” Joven added.
The LGU has also started the implementation of the "Gulay sa Komunidad" Program in different barangays and has opted to continue the said initiative to produce more greens and sell them to various markets.
The city has recently gained international recognition for its AgriBoost Program through the 2021 Bloomberg Philantrophies' Global Mayors Challenge. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
