Implementing Guidelines for the Implementation of Urban Agriculture Program

March 16, 2020

DA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 08-20

 

1. Introduction

This Memorandum Circular outlines the implementing guidelines in the implementation of Urban Agriculture as one of the modalities in making food available, accessible, affordable, safe, and providing additional income to the project beneficiaries.

2. Rationale

It is the national policy of the State to provide available, affordable, and safe food. The State also recognizes that the population is growing and this means that additional food will be needed. Food production is in the hands of the farmers and fisher folks, and farming and fishing remain the basic source of food of the people.

Food production has to be incentivized, hence the Department of Agriculture implements programs that will result to Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita. The farmers or the food producers are the major stakeholders of the Department of Agriculture and as well as the entire Filipino people who consumes the produce of the farmers.

The Metropolis or the Urban areas have the most number of consumers and is the major market of farm and fish markets. The volume of consumption is so high that on cases of emergencies, the food requirement of the Metropolis becomes a major challenge for the policy makers and the agricultural and fisheries sector.

It is along this line that the science of Urban Agriculture is acknowledged as one of the approaches in augmenting the food demand of the metropolis. Urban Agriculture complemented with a zero-waste management when properly planned and implemented, it becomes as an alternative source of food and income for the Metropolis.

3. Objectives

General:

This program aims to produce food in the Metropolis areas through the implementation of Urban Agriculture Program.

Specific:

a) To establish Urban Agriculture demonstration farms in Metro Manila;

b) To establish one Urban Agriculture demonstration farm in Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, and other Metro Cities outside Metro Manila;

c) To establish Urban Agriculture demonstration farms in every agency of the Department of Agriculture situated in the National Capital Region;

d) To capacitate beneficiaries on value adding to their produce;

e) To create community livelihood in the areas of Urban Agriculture Program; and

f) To provide incentives to the Urban Agriculture Program beneficiaries.

4. Program Implementation Framework

I. Activities and Responsibilities. In the implementation of Urban Agriculture Program, the following agencies and their responsibilities are outlined.

 

Activities	Responsible Agency	Expected Outputs
a) Program Management Office	Bureau of Plant Industry	• Program implementation reports • Information, Communication, and Educational Materials
b) Establishment of Urban Agriculture Demonstration Farms	Bureau of Plant Industry Regional Field Offices Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering	• Established Urban Demonstration farms
c) Seedling preparation and Distribution	Bureau of Plant Industry Regional Field Offices	• Seedlings and distribution list
d) Fingerling multiplication, aqua feeds, and Distributions	Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources	• Fingerlings and distribution list
e) Small tools and equipment acquisition, garden soil, and Distribution	Bureau of Plant Industry Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering DA-Regional Field Offices Bureau of Soils and Water Management	• Small tools, garden soil, engineering designs, and distribution list
f) Training and Extension	Agricultural Training Institute	• Training modules • Trained beneficiaries
g) Monitoring and Evaluation	Inter-agency Ad-hoc Committee	• Monitoring reports • Policy briefs-implementation and incentives

 

The identified agencies are to create their respective teams in implementing the provisions of the Urban Agriculture Program.

II. Program Beneficiaries

The Bureau of Plant Industry being the lead in the National Capital Region shall prepare the Memorandum of Understanding between them and the identified beneficiaries.

The preferred beneficiaries are Barangays, Public Schools and Universities, and other government offices willing to collaborate as a beneficiary of the Program.

III. Beneficiary Incentives

The Urban Agriculture Program Beneficiaries shall be provided with the following:

a. Starter seedlings and fingerlings

b. Starter garden soil, fertilizer, and aqua feeds

c. Small agricultural tools

d. Technical assistance in maintaining an Urban Agriculture

e. Designs of small structures as appropriate

f. Capacity building and livelihood training

g. Cash Prizes for the best Urban Agriculture Program

IV. Oversight

The Office of the Secretary through the Chief of Staff and office of the Undersecretary for Operations is given oversight functions in the implementation of the Urban Agriculture Program.

V. Budget

The office of the High Value Crops shall provide the initial funds for the implementation of the Urban Agriculture Program. To sustain this program, the Bureau of Plant Industry shall allocate funds from its various activities. This will cover the conduct of trainings and meetings, provision of agricultural inputs, field monitoring, incentives and performance awards. Further, each of the agencies identified shall also charge to their own funds certain expenses in the implementation of the Urban Agriculture Program.

All expenses related to the implementation of the Urban Agriculture Program are subject to existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

VI. Miscellaneous

All other agencies of the Department of Agriculture are enjoined to provide their cooperation and support to the Urban Agriculture Program in ensuring its success.

5. EFFECTIVITY

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately upon signing and any other issuances inconsistent herewith are deemed superseded or revoked accordingly.

(SGD.) WILLIAM D. DAR, Ph.D.Secretary