Green Thumbs, Empowered Moms: The Urban Gardening Movement Flourishing in Cagayan de Oro

SOURCE: PIA 10

In the heart of Cagayan de Oro City, a convergence of will, knowledge, and action is nurturing not just crops, but livelihoods and lifestyles. Spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture's Regional Field Office in Northern Mindanao, urban gardening is becoming more than a pastime—it's a growing revolution for mothers armed with seedlings and a vision for sustainability.

The call to urban gardening is resonating with mothers throughout Cagayan de Oro City, thanks to the intensive drive by regional authorities advocating for self-sustaining practices. The ambition is clear: converting backyards and balconies into vegetable havens, imparting the significance of self-reliance in food production.

Recently, a group of 80 mothers received a green boost with hands-on distribution of seeds, including pechay and a nutritious 5-in-1 pinakbet mix, priming them for success in their gardening endeavors. The City Agriculture Office (CAO) further bolstered these efforts by providing seedlings of okra, eggplant, and guava.

Delving into innovative techniques, Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, a dedicated agriculturist, showcased the wonders of hydroponics—a beacon for space-savers and water conservators. This method stands out not only for its efficiency but for fostering healthful culinary habits, a boon in a bustling city lifestyle.

Marie Angelie R. Nalual, a local mother from Barangay 14, personifies the transformation brought by urban gardening. The provision of seeds not only garners her gratitude but forecasts a fertile future—both in terms of nutrition for her children and potential economic gains.

It’s a dual-nourishment narrative here, where growth in the garden parallels that of the young. These initiatives provide a twofold benefit—enhancing children's development through better diets and bolstering the domestic budget through potential sales of surplus produce.

The collaboration with Nestle Philippines, Inc., and the City Council for the Protection of Children illustrates a powerful partnership. This synergy of corporate responsibility and governmental foresight fosters a supportive environment for mothers to cultivate both their gardens and their autonomy.

Empowerment pivots on education. DA's urban gardening events are more than seed-giving ceremonies; they are incubators for knowledge, where mothers learn the "how-tos" of growing, sustaining, and even monetizing their patches of green.

These initiatives are testaments to the power of seeds. They're tiny capsules of potential that offer security in food supply, sustainability in urban living, and above all, a connection with the Earth, affirming the mothers’ role as keepers of both home and habitat.

The urban gardening movement in Cagayan de Oro City is not merely about planting produce; it's about planting seeds of change. When mothers are given the tools and trust to tend to their gardens, they do far more than grow vegetables—they foster resilience, independence, and a greener tomorrow for their families and their community.