By Kenneth Marcos 
In a small training room filled with curious faces, residents leaned forward as experts demonstrated how to grow food even in tight city spaces. The Mushroom Training Room of the Bureau of Plant Industry–Crop Research and Production Support Division (BPI-CRPSD) was alive with energy on November 26, as nearly 50 participants gathered to learn urban gardening and plant propagation.
Many of the attendees came from nearby communities, hoping to find a simple way to grow fresh vegetables at home. For families in crowded urban areas, even a few pots of leafy greens can help cut daily expenses and provide safer, healthier food. That sense of hope filled the room as BPI-CRPSD trainers explained how small gardens can become powerful tools for both nutrition and livelihood.
Throughout the session, experts guided participants through the basics of choosing planting materials, preparing soil mixtures, and caring for young plants. They also demonstrated how to propagate common vegetables and herbs using practical, low-cost methods that can be done in balconies, walkways, or small backyards. According to BPI-CRPSD, these simple techniques are designed to help households start their own gardens without needing large land or expensive equipment.
Urban gardening has grown in popularity in recent years as food prices continue to rise. Government agencies and local groups have been promoting home and community gardening to strengthen food security, especially in densely populated cities where many families rely on daily-wage work. Training sessions like this one aim to build skills that can support long-term food supply while reducing dependence on markets.
Participants said the hands-on approach made the training easier to understand. Many were able to practice cutting stems, transferring seedlings, and mixing growing media under the supervision of agriculture technicians. By the end of the workshop, they left with new confidence and a clear plan to start or expand their home gardens.
BPI-CRPSD hopes that more communities will adopt urban gardening as a practical solution for health and livelihood. The bureau added that even small gardens can support families during emergencies or unexpected shortages by providing fresh food within reach.
As the session ended, participants carried home seedlings and new knowledge—small steps that could grow into stronger, greener, and more food-secure neighborhoods.
Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News