The flourishing barangay hydroponics project of the city government piloted in five barangays have shown big potential in boosting the city’s food security, according to the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO).
CVAO Head Dr. Silardo Bested said the vegetable yield of the community-based hydroponics greenhouses built by the city in barangays Slaughterhouse Compound, Imelda Marcos, Kabayanihan, Outlook Drive and at the Irisan eco-park showed promise in their pilot runs.
CVAO Supervising Agriculturist Marcelina Tabelin said the facilities had a collective production of 280 kilograms of lettuce, pechay, kangkong and cucumber in 2025 and 22 kilograms of bokchoy pechay harvested on Jan. 6 this year.
The greenhouses of Kabayanihan and Irisan Eco-Park had the most number of production cycles at six each while the rest has three cycles each.
These smart farming facilities are being managed by the barangays with personnel trained by the CVAO. The CVAO conducted 11 trainings with 322 participants for this purpose.
Tabelin said these facilities now serve as “technology demonstration hubs, highlighting cutting-edge urban farming techniques designed to boost efficiency, productivity and sustainability.”
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said they are working on securing funds to construct similar facilities in more barangays in the city.
“This is to fulfill the city’s commitment to promoting smart farming practices, optimizing limited resources, and leveraging modern technology to ensure sustainable agricultural productivity,” the mayor said.
The project dubbed H.A.R.V.E.S.T. for Hydroponics for Advanced Resilient and Viable Eco-Smart Technology champions smart urban farming.
It aims to address food insecurity by promoting sustainable and affordable food production in communities and schools.
“The initiative provides families, especially nutrition-vulnerable sectors, access to healthier and low-cost vegetables while introducing modern urban farming technologies,” according to the CVAO.
Harvested produce was used for supplemental feeding programs for children, distributed to 4Ps member-families, and sold to help sustain hydroponics operations.
Under the project, CVAO turned over complete hydroponics production facilities using the Nutrient Film Technique system and provided technical support to barangay officials, nutrition and agriculture committees, and community members. Barangays, in turn, ensured project maintenance and community participation.
The CVAO said the project not only improved access to fresh food but also promoted intergenerational learning, with both youth and senior citizens engaged in urban farming activities. The initiative has also opened opportunities for small-scale income generation within communities.
Building on its success, the city government plans to expand Project H.A.R.V.E.S.T. to more barangays and public schools this year.
A fully automated SMART Hydroponics Greenhouse, funded by the city government in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, is also set to be built at Irisan Eco Park to serve as the city’s main technology demonstration and training hub. – Baguio City Public Information Office