Article by:
Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Quezon City University (QCU) will put to good use its empty spaces through a Center for Urban Agriculture and Innovation that was launched Tuesday.
The Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) provided PHP14.5 million to help develop the center developed with the guidance of the QC Government’s Sustainable Development Affairs Unit.
The Center will develop initiatives for possible livelihood projects and conduct trainings and development activities to enable QCU to incorporate urban agriculture into its curriculum programs in the future.
Aside from urban gardens, the Center will have a bee farm with an initial five colonies funded by the QCU Cooperative whose members underwent training in beekeeping.
An old building in the campus was renovated and turned into the training venue Honey House.
QCU president, Dr. Theresita Atienza, said the Center will reinforce their commitment to the sustainability of the city’s urban farming initiatives.
“With our vast campus grounds, we aim to maximize it by incorporating programs and projects that are aligned with the development goals of the city government,” Atienza said during the launch.
The city expanded its sustainable efforts through backyard and community farms and fish pens after the Covid-19 pandemic started to help strengthen food security program and help create jobs and livelihood.
QCU was formerly known as the Quezon City Polytechnic University, established on March 1, 1994.
Its skills and training centers paved the way for its recognition by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority and an alliance with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.
It was converted to QCU in July 2019. (PNA)
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