Army demo farm promotes food production, self-sufficiency

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 16, 2023): Army demo farm promotes food production, self-sufficiency (By Che Palicte)

DEMO FARM. A 600-square-meter demo farm located at Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao De Oro stands as a symbol of food production, self-sufficiency, and skills development for soldiers, members of people's organizations, and the youth sector. The 10ID Demo Farm started in May 2020, with the Department of Agriculture accrediting it as a Learning Site for Agriculture on Integrated Farming. (Photo courtesy of 10ID)

DAVAO CITY – To ensure food security for its troops, the 10th Infantry Division of the Army is maintaining a demonstration farm where they harvest various produce for self-sufficiency of even the communities.

Maj. Mark Anthony Tito, the 10ID spokesperson, said they started the demo farm in May 2020, with the Department of Agriculture accrediting it as a Learning Site for Agriculture on Integrated Farming in October of the same year.

“The 10ID demo farm trains community development teams composed of agritech' soldiers before they are deployed to the communities to teach,” Tito said in an interview Monday.

The 600-square-meter farm, located inside Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao De Oro, also develop the farming skills of the youth sector and former rebels participating in the deradicalization program.

The farm has a wide range of crops, including eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and sweet corn. It also raises free-range chickens and rabbits.

Tito said soldiers and community volunteers harvest every 15 days for the corn produce alone.

Brig. Gen. Allan Hambala, the 10ID acting commander, said the initiative serves as a “resolute response to the obstacles posed by soaring prices of essential commodities across the country.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211873