MANILA, Philippines — Building on the foundational concepts introduced during the first day, the second day, July 15, 2026, of the Training of Trainers on Urban Gardening focused on strengthening participants’ technical knowledge and practical skills through lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities aimed at promoting safe and sustainable food production.

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The day began with a post-test from yesterday’s activity, followed by a pre-test to assess participants’ existing knowledge on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), followed by a lecture highlighting the importance of producing safe and quality agricultural products. Participants were introduced to the principles of food safety in agriculture, the benefits of Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification for producers and consumers, and the current challenges affecting food safety in agricultural production. The session concluded with a post-test to evaluate the participants’ learning and understanding of the topics discussed.

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Participants also took part in a workshop on urban garden design, where they applied the concepts learned from yesterday’s lecture on urban gardening and integrated pest management. Each group presented their proposed urban garden layouts, encouraging the exchange of ideas and practical approaches to maximizing available spaces for food production.

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To reinforce the lessons, participants engaged in a practicum on basic urban gardening, where they gained hands-on experience in essential gardening techniques that can be applied in establishing and maintaining productive urban gardens. The practicum featured demonstrations on tomato seed processing, seed sowing for germination, and seedling transplanting, allowing participants to apply the techniques discussed during the lectures.

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The knowledge and skills gained during the second day of the training reinforce the participants’ capacity to promote safe and sustainable food production in their respective communities. By understanding Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), food safety principles, and proper urban gardening techniques, they are better equipped to establish productive gardens, encourage the production of safe and quality agricultural products, and help consumers gain access to healthier food choices.