Baguio entry vies for top spot in National Search for Best Urban Farm 2023

The Summer Capital’s entry to the National Search for Best Urban and Peri-Urban Farm 2023 was shortlisted in the top five according to a local agriculture official.    

Senior agriculturist Marcy Tabelin of the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) under Dr. Silardo Bested said the city’s hopeful bet is Fit & Fab Farm owned by Margareta Joseph and located at Lucnab barangay.    

She said winners of the prestigious competition will be announced either during the Urban Agriculture Summit slated on May 4 and 5, this year, in Cebu or on a later date.    

A letter from Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) Dir. Gerald Glenn Panganiban, dated March 31, 2023, requested one nomination from each region to join the Search in line with May as ‘Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Month that commemorates and acknowledges their contributions to the country.     

“This activity will put into focus and recognize the efforts of urban farmer individuals, groups, and associations who have successfully implemented urban agriculture in their localities. It is hoped that this would encourage aspiring urban agriculturists and further promote urban and peri-urban agriculture in the country,” the letter stated.    

Tabelin said criteria for judging are: Production and Sales Output per unit area, 20 percent; Records Management, Traceability and Documentation, 20 percent; Good Agricultural Practices, 20 percent; Innovation/Creativity, 15 percent; Number of Technologies Showcased, 10 percent; Competency/Training, 10 percent; and Number of Individuals Reached, 5 percent.      

On March 19, a team from the DA-BPI Central Office conducted an on-site validation and ocular visit of the Fit & Fab Farm, she disclosed. – Gaby B. Keith