26 October 2018 – Cagayan de Oro City. NNC X conducted the 2018 Search for Best Gulayan sa Tugkaran to identify model home gardens in Region 10. The contest aims to produce success stories on food gardening to inspire other families in the region to undertake gardening.

The contest was held in line with the 2018 Nutrition Month theme: “Ugaliing magtanim, sapat na nutrisyon aanihin!”. All 14 provinces and cities in the region were enjoined to submit one (1) entry in coordination with the local nutrition office.

Listed below are the nine (9) official entries received by NNC X and the food garden owners:

The above-mentioned gardens were selected by the LGUs through conduct of local search for best G4 (Garden of Go, Grow and Glow) contests and/or as recommended by the provincial/city agriculture office.

A regional inter-agency evaluation team was assembled to evaluate the food garden entries from August 20 to September 26, 2018. Entries were evaluated based on the variety of vegetables planted, utilization of produce, resources and amenities for maintenance of the garden and overall garden appearance. Bonus points were given to entries which utilized organic fertilizer, insect repellent plants and recycled materials and other environment-friendly tools. Further, bonus points were also granted to gardens with small animals.

Winners of the region-wide contest will receive cash prize, plaque of recognition, garden tools set and vegetable seeds while finalists will receive certificate of recognition and vegetable seeds. All nine participants will be awarded during the 2018 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony in November this year.

The above-mentioned garden owners shared different reasons why they pursued gardening. The gardens sprouted from the owners’ love for growing vegetables and fruits and the appreciation of good nutrition through eating safe and nutritious foods. Moreover, the owners gain additional monthly income by selling their fresh produce, livestock and small animals. A number of garden owners even testified that gardening helped their children eat vegetables with ease, and it further helped them become physically active.

The garden owners’ passion and dedication for gardening, some of which despite being flood victims, Pantawid beneficiaries, rebel returnees, lumads and retirees, surfaced above all, emerging as model gardens in the region worthy of recognition and source of inspiration. (NO I Sheena Marie G. Talle, NNC X)