Seeds against poverty: a study on the effects of urban agriculture in poverty reduction and its impact on community development in Bacoor City, Cavite

Abstract

With the continuing trend of urbanization all over the country, it prompted to establish programs intended for the conservation of the practice of farming while adapting to the normalized situation of the society. Lands are considered to be of environmental importance and a part of the way of life of the Filipino people. Thus, it must be protected from any destructive activities despite the inhabitation of the communities. Philippines is a rich agricultural country. Nowadays, people view development through high-rise buildings and subdivisions, malls and other infrastructures that creates an illusion of development in the place. This study discussed how the widely accepted concept of development participated on the destruction of the culture of farming. This study was conducted in Bacoor City particulary Soldiers Hills 4 and San Nicolas which also covered the Villar SIPAG urban farm school. The urban farm school, owned by a private corporation was established to help the farmers in Bacoor City through seminars regarding the modernization process of agriculture. It also helps farmers through distribution of seeds and employs about 5 people who takes care of a 7-hectares land. This study focused on how urban agriculture contributed to the development of the community and how it helped in the eradication of poverty in the community. The disparity between the SIPAG and non-SIPAG farmers was also seen in the course of the study. Reaching the end of the study, the researcher found that agriculture is slowly depleting in the area of San Nicolas due to the arrival of private corporation. This can also be directed to the problem of land ownership and lack of the government support. It has been proven that through the development in the sector of agriculture, the community and the country will also be directed to the development that the people wanted. And this is what the farmers in the country calls for. Redistribution of land to the farmers, support from the government not just in the preparation but also in the post-production processes.