A TOP official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has called on the residents to engage in urban and backyard gardening to help boost food security.
Rad Don Cedeño, regional executive director of DA, said the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay have no issue of food security because they are among the producers of rice, corn and vegetables.
Cedeño said the three provinces have vast agricultural lands that plant vegetables, rice and corn.
He said Zamboanga City is dependent on other provinces and regions in terms of farm products as this city has a limited area for agricultural lands.
Cedeño asked residents who have idle lands to engage in urban and backyard gardening.
He also encouraged the youth and other households to plant vegetables and help sustain the food security of the city.
Cedeño said those interested in backyard gardening can visit the Office of the City Agriculture to access the different interventions like rice and corn seedlings, fertilizers, garden tools and crop insurance. (SunStar Zamboanga)