As part of the ongoing efforts of the government to ensure sufficient supply of safe, quality, and affordable food, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has sealed separate partnerships with three private entities, which share the same vision towards sustainable food items for Filipinos across the country.

On January 24, 2022, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, signed three Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and Pilmico Foods Corporation, TriMerA Integrated Farm, and the SM Super Malls, focused on the establishment of various Urban Agriculture (UA) projects.

Under the partnership with DA, TriMerA will identify an area suitable for rabbit production and train personnel who will also serve as trainors to other enthusiasts in the future. TriMera will sustain the operation of the project through dissemination of new stocks from the project beneficiaries, lead the marketing and distribution of the produce.

The DA, together with Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and National Livestock Program (NLP) will provide starter kits, IEC materials and extension/education support in coordination with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).  They will also extend technical assistance to TriMerA to maintain and sustain the project, and conduct monitoring activities.

SM Supermalls, under a separate agreement, will take the lead in the establishment of a food garden, which aims to serve as source of safe, accessible, and affordable food to households and communities in the urban areas. The garden will also provide additional income to project participants, who will undergo training and capacity enhancement from DA, through ATI.

DA-BPI, for its part will provide starter kits for the establishment of urban gardens and peri-urban gardens, extend technical assistance, and conduct monitoring activities.

To address the social and economic needs of various stakeholders, DA, Aboitiz, and Pilmico concurred to work together to attain a food-secure and resilient Philippines with prosperous and empowered farmers and fishers, by setting up livelihood projects by building urban and peri-urban gardens.

Under the agreement, Aboitiz and Pilmico will provide packages for egg and swine production, and aquaponics farming systems.

Meanwhile, the Department will see to it that proper and relevant training is extended to beneficiaries, who will also be provided capability-enhancement orientation to ensure the success of the initiative. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)