Scouts partner with the Philippine government for Urban Agriculture Project

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) signed today, a partnership agreement for the implementation of the Urban Agriculture (UA) Project.

The DA introduced the UA project in order to cushion the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on the availability of food crops in Urban areas and other Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in the country. It aims to ensure the availability and accessibility of safe fresh vegetables in urban areas.

In a statement, BSP National President Roberto M. Pagdanganan assured the mobilization of its members for the project. “Our 3 million Scouts across the country will take a major role in the implementation of this program with the hope of addressing stability of food supply and the alleviating poverty.”

“Just as we have done in the past, we will continue to protect the environment through eco-friendly methods and other alternative and innovative gardening methods,” he added.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar explained that they will be providing initial agricultural inputs for the project. “The [Department of] Agriciulture will provide the seeds, plastic sheets, nets for greenhouse, and a knapsack sprayer, including UA gardening modules and technical assistance that our partners in the BSP could use.”

Throughout the duration of the project, the BSP will be establishing UA gardens in its national headquarters in Manila and in all of its Scout camps.

Present also are BSP Secretary General Rogelio S. Villa, Jr., Director Sofronio Hontanosas, Field Services Executive Janice Cartago, BPI Director George Culaste, and Assistant Director Glenn Panganiban.