UPLIFTING THE LIVELIHOOD OF BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE (BASC) STUDENTS’ FAMILIES THROUGH URBAN GARDENING

Abstrak

This project aimed to empower students and their families in sustainable agriculture through capacity-building training workshops in urban gardening, organic farming practices, sustainable pest management, and agribusiness management. A socio-demographic assessment was conducted to establish baseline data, followed by hands-on training. The project successfully extended BASC’s matured technologies to student families, allowing them to maximize agricultural potential, enhance food security, and create new livelihood opportunities through pesticide-free farming and agribusiness strategies. Participants gained practical skills in vertical gardening, edible landscaping, organic pesticide production, farm recordkeeping, and food processing and marketing strategies. These workshops provided essential knowledge and hands-on experience, equipping beneficiaries with the tools needed to implement sustainable agricultural practices. The findings indicate a significant improvement in farmers' awareness, technical skills, and confidence in adopting organic farming methods, leading to reduced reliance on synthetic inputs and increased household food security. Moreover, the establishment of backyard and urban gardens among student families contributed to improved access to fresh, pesticide-free produce. Some participants expanded their gardens for small-scale commercialization, demonstrating the potential for agripreneurship. The initiative also fostered stronger community engagement, enabling knowledge-sharing and collaboration among farmers, researchers, and local government units. Overall, this project highlighted the effectiveness of integrating research-based training and hands-on agricultural interventions to promote sustainable food production, enhance economic resilience, and contribute to environmental conservation. The success of this initiative underscores the need for continued technical support, market linkages, and policy advocacy to ensure long-term sustainability and scalability.