Tagaytay City—The SVD Laudato Si' Farm was recognized as a nominee for "The Search for the Best Urban and Peri-Urban Farm of 2023," an initiative facilitated by the Department of Agriculture’s National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP).
The SVD Farm was nominated for the annual search by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) 4A last April 17, 2023, in conjunction with the then-upcoming celebration of May as Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month.
The announcement of the SVD Farm's nomination was made through an audio-visual presentation (AVP) posted on the official NUPAP Facebook page, showcasing the outstanding efforts of the SVD Farm in promoting urban agriculture and sustainable food production.
According to the DA-RFO, the search was conducted “in line with the mission of recognizing and celebrating the potential of urban agriculture and its valuable role in addressing the challenges of food security and climate change.”
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Engr. Redelliza A. Gruezo, Department of Agriculture RFO 4A Field Operations Division Chief and High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and NUPAP Focal Person, expressed the importance of urban agriculture, especially in highly-urbanized regions like Region 4A or CALABARZON, where the demand for food production is crucial due to its dense population. She added that the Department of Agriculture began the NUPAP in order to encourage communities to utilize small spaces available in towns and cities to contribute to food security.
"Akin pong ikinararangal na ipakita sa inyo ang isa sa (aming) mga model farms na atin pong katuwang sa pagpapalaganap ng National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program dito po sa (rehiyon)—ang SVD Farm," said Engr. Gruezo, introducing the Farm as Region 4A's nominee and as the office's partner.
"Sila po ay lumapit at humingi po sila ng tulong kung papaano po nila matataniman at mapagyayaman ang kanilang maliit na espasyo doon po sa katabi ng kanilang seminaryo. Ito po ay pinagyaman ng mga tulong na nanggaling po sa Department of Agriculture," said Engr. Gruezo.
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Rev. Fr. Samuel "Sam" Naceno-Agcaracar, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, described the Farm as the source of livelihood for SVD and for the Farm's employees. "We started (by) planting the basic Filipino vegetables, kalabasa (at iba pang) pang-pinakbet," said Fr. Sam.
Fr. Sam shared the Farm's "foresight" in recognizing the importance of food production during challenging times, especially since the Farm began in 2021 when SVD was faced with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other similar organizations.
According to Fr. Sam, the pandemic not only led to financial constraints but also raised concerns about food supply. These concerns led to him leading the initiative for SVD priests and seminarians to begin cleaning and clearing the area where the Farm would be built during the lockdowns set by the pandemic.
As the SVD Farm project began to grow, Fr. Sam connected with the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (APCO) in Cavite. "Pumunta sila (upang) magbigay ng seminar sa mga employees, mga seminarista namin, at doon nagsimula ang collaboration namin with the Department of Agriculture," he said.
The collaboration bore fruit, and the SVD Farm witnessed tremendous growth in its agricultural endeavors. Today, it encompasses various components, including a cafe, restaurant, fishpond, and livestock area. Fr. Sam maintains that the Department of Agriculture has been a pivotal partner to the Farm in providing essential resources such as tillers, cultivators, greenhouses, vermicast, wood vinegar, solar panels, irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, and livestock such as chickens and pigs.
The Farm's produce has not only met its internal needs but also attracted visitors and customers from far and wide. The Farm's vegetable store, the SVD Cafe, and the Oies Kitchen and Kitchenette have become popular locations which promote healthy living.
The warm reception of the public to the SVD Farm has further motivated the Farm to expand its offerings. Fr. Sam recalls that while the Farm harvested an estimated 100 kilos of lettuce per month when it began, it is now capable of yielding an estimated 1000 kilos of lettuce per month, an impressive increase which can also be observed in the Farm's other fruits and vegetables.
"Ang urban agriculture para sa akin ay isang napakahalagang tugon natin sa isyu ng food production na hinaharap natin," said Fr. Sam, adding that "every available space in backyards can be maximized" to contribute to food sustainability.
Fr. Sam expressed his gratitude to the Department of Agriculture for their unwavering support, acknowledging that their assistance has significantly contributed to the Farm's growth and its mission to serve the Church, seminary, and the local community.
Referring to Pope Francis' words from the encyclical Laudato Si', Fr. Sam urged everyone to "go back to the land, till the land." “This is what agriculture is all about. Masaganang agrikultura. Tayong lahat ay makikiisa para sa ikakaunlad ng ating ekonomiya,” he said.
Addressing the Department of Agriculture, Fr. Sam concluded, “I hope that you will continue to accompany us in so many ways. Sana ay hindi po kayo magsawa sa pagtulong ninyo sa amin. Sa pamamagitan ng iyong pagtulong sa amin, you continue to inspire us and help the Church, our seminary, and our people.”
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The winners for "The Search for the Best Urban and Peri-Urban Farm of 2023" are expected to be announced later this year.
In an interview, Fr. Sam said that while he hopes for the SVD Farm to win the award, the Farm’s recognition as Region 4A’s nominee is already a significant honor for the institution.
Watch the original nomination video for the SVD Farm through the link below:
Search for the Best Urban and Peri-Urban Farm 2023—SVD Farm—Nominee of Regional Field Office IV-A
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For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org.