In celebration of the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) conducted a Virtual Knowledge-Sharing Activity on Livelihood Opportunities through Fruits and Vegetables on June 22, 2021.

The online activity was in partnership with the National Banner Program Committee on High Value Crops-Fruits and Vegetables through its Chairperson Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc, East West Seed Foundation and the Philippine Seed Industry Association Incorporated.

It was spearheaded by the Knowledge Management Section of the Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management Division and participated by PCAF employees.

Joyce Gaviola, the Program Officer of East-West Seed Foundation, presented the overview of Livelihood Opportunities through Fruits and Vegetables and earning from your own home garden. She discussed the benefits of a home garden which include: food is always available, lessens food expenses, fresh vegetables taste better, and free from contamination, improves family nutrition and beautifies the environment.

She mentioned that gardening is both an art and a science. She also suggested to the participants to know the science of vegetable growing through the “VeggiEskwela Online Webinar Series”. To know more about the webinar, visit www.eastwestseedfoundation.ph for the process.

The vegetable farming business was discussed by Bonifacio Sauli, Product Manager of East-West Seed Foundation. He shared some tips on how to start the business on vegetable farming and presented the testimonials of three successful farmers to inspire the participants.

Lastly, Josephine Ramos, Seedling Production Supervisor, discussed the earning by growing seedlings and earning from food preparations like the recipe of fresh lumpia and kimchi.Packs of seeds will be distributed to PCAF employees from the East West Seed Foundation.

“I am thankful to all the speakers in bringing about the relevance of coming up with several opportunities to have a masaganang ani at mataas na kita at our level as a kawani ng gobyerno. Sana marami pang ganitong knowledge-sharing activities to entice us, employees, to be productive in our (personal) activities. We look forward to having more of these sessions in PCAF, especially to our AFCs across the network,” said PCAF Acting Executive Director Liza Battad. | JB and JC