ILOILO – With the looming El Niño phenomenon projected to last until the first quarter of 2024 and the rice black bug infestation of rice fields of several towns, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 6 is encouraging the public to engage in backyard farming for food security.
Sheryl Sedantes, officer-in-charge Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC-6, said the theme for Nutrition Month 2023 this July, “Healthy diet gawing affordable for all “, is timely.
“In time gid na for this year because our Nutrition Month focuses on food security,” she said.
Sedantes said everyone should take measures to mitigate the ill-effects of El Niño, especially on food security.
NNC-6 is intensifying its campaign that every household grow vegetables in their backyards.
“Indi man na-mean nga you need hectares to plant, puede ikaw ka-plant sa mga goma. Mag-innovate ka. You can use any materials sa pagtanum kon wala ka sang lugar sa imo balay,” said Sedantes.
She believes that if every household grows vegetables in the backyard, there will be fewer problems with hunger in the family.
“Indi mo na kinahanglan baklon ang ingredients nga kinahanglan mo sa pagluto or pagkaon nga ihatag mo sa family,” said Sedantes.
This is also a money-saving measure because you no longer buy at the market, she added.
Sedantes believes it is also important for parents to feed their children nutritious food.
With backyard farming and poultry raising, Sedantes said parents will have sources for protein-rich food for their children.
She clarified, however, that NNC’s role is to only advocate because local government units (LGUs) have the responsibility to empower or capacitate Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) who would campaign on food security and proper nutrition.
NNC-6 helps by providing information and educational campaign materials to be distributed by BNS in their barangays, said Sedantes.
Aside from that, the LGUs, through the municipal agriculture office, also offer technical assistance on what plants are suitable for an area or type of soil and also provide seedlings.
Part of the NNC’s advocacy campaign is also to encourage the public to buy locally-produced products to help farmers earn money and, at the same time, ensure that the family eats organic and nutritious food./PN
