Manila, Philippines — The Bureau of Plant Industry – Crop Research and Production Support Division (BPI-CRPSD), in coordination with the Department of Agriculture – National Urban and Peri-Urban Program (DA-NUPAP) officially launched the training entitled Sowing Knowledge: A Comprehensive Training-of-Trainers on Urban Gardening on July 14, 2026, at the NSIC Conference Room at BPI-Manila. The opening program was attended by Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, along with participants from various Red Cross chapters who joined the three-day training to enhance their knowledge and skills in urban gardening and to promote sustainable food production in their respective communities.

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A total of 59 participants from the Philippine Red Cross chapters in Marikina, Quezon City, Manila, Valenzuela, Pasay, Malabon, Caloocan, Navotas, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Zambales, Bulacan, and Laguna, as well as representatives from the Spanish Red Cross, took part in the capacity-building activity.

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In his welcome message, BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D. emphasized that achieving food security requires collaboration among government agencies, local government units, private sector partners, and communities. He highlighted BPI’s commitment to supporting these efforts by ensuring the availability of quality planting materials and providing technical expertise to its partners.

“The Department of Agriculture does not have a monopoly on food production and food security efforts. We can only achieve these goals by working hand in hand with local government units, the private sector, our partners, and the youth,” Director Panganiban said.

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He also assured the participants that BPI remains committed to sharing its expertise and strengthening partnerships through its technical services and regional stations across the country.

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The first day of the training introduced participants to the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP), including its objectives, key initiatives, and the urban garden establishment process. Participants also attended lectures on the fundamentals of Urban Gardening, where they learned practical approaches to establishing productive urban gardens in limited spaces, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which focused on basic info on pests and environmentally sound strategies for managing them.

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The first day of the Training of Trainers laid a strong foundation by introducing participants to the principles of urban gardening, urban garden establishment, and integrated pest management. These discussions provided essential knowledge that will prepare participants for the more advanced and hands-on learning activities in the succeeding days of the training.