Cebu City – The Green, Responsive and Enterprising Engagement for a Nourished (GREEN) Agriculture of Bilar, Bohol was recognized as one of the Good Nutrition Projects in the region during the Grand Nutrition Awards 2013 held on 02 August 2013 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Cebu City.
To help curb the malnutrition problem in the municipality, the MNC of Bilar underwent the GREEN Agriculture to provide a daily supply of vegetables in every home. It aims to promote vegetable production, provide additional income to the family and as a means to eradicate poverty.
While seed capital is shouldered by the municipal government, the project adheres to pure organic farming system. Seven barangays participated in the project. The participants include local officials, farmer-leaders and vegetable growers. They went through 4 16 weeks of training which included lectures, demonstrations, video showing and actual practicum in their demonstration lot.
Resource speakers were from the Municipal Agriculture Office, the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center. Professors of BISU Bilar were also tapped as lecturers on preparing organic pesticides.
A GREEN Agriculture board and a multi-agency marketing committee was created for proper managing and product marketing, respectively. The project has gained prominence and popularity in the barangays. With the production of the pesticide-free organic vegetables, buyers and businessmen have made contracts with the farmers to buy their produce. Other than giving additional income to families, it also answered food needs of the municipality. Indeed, the project made the municipality and its people food secure.
Because of the practice the Regional Nutrition Committee has recognized LGU’s efforts for improved nutrition and for the betterment of the people of Bilar. //DFB
