Monsanto Philippines Inc. strengthened its campaign to food
sufficiency and access to balanced meals in the country by recently
contributing planting materials, such as seedlings, to over 54 families at
Monsanto - Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Barangay Aldeguer, Sara, Iloilo.
Corporate Affairs Lead Charina Ocampo of Monsanto
Philippines, together with Monsanto-GK Village President Hadjie Balome, led the
turnover of planting materials in the village, encouraging members of the
community to grow their own vegetable garden. Monsanto shared 540 packs of
bitter gourd, squash and string bean to the members of the village, which are
meant to establish a sustainable source of nutrition in the community.
According to Balome, the project not only helps the
community to access balanced meals but also helps them to potentially
earn.“These seedlings do not require high maintenance when planted and they
actually grow relatively quick. This also allows the community to readily have
healthier food options. Since they’re easily harvested, they can also choose to
sell them,” Monsanto-GK Village President Hadjie Balome said.
Ocampo explained that besides the houses they built
together with GK in 2016, the company also wanted a holistic approach to
community development by providing opportunity for the locals to become
self-sufficient through farming. “After ensuring that these families have a
safe shelter, we now want these families to have sustainable source of food,”
Ocampo said.
“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are aiming to
reach out to more communities across the country and educate them how
agriculture and biotechnology can work hand in hand to improve nutrition and
livelihood,” she added. Aside from the seedling turnover, Monsanto also led a
feeding program for the members of the community.
“We are grateful for Monsanto in continuously choosing our
community as a beneficiary. We are especially thankful for the seedlings that
they provided us. Our families, especially our children, can now have more
nutritious food on our plates,” said Imelda Cataluna, one of the GK
beneficiaries.
The effort in Sara, according to Ocampo, was part of the
broader initiative of Monsanto to boost its community efforts in Iloilo,
including nutrition. Prior the turnover in Sara, Monsanto in fact launched its
mobile nutrition caravan, dubbed as Monsanto Fun Kitchen, at Nabitasan
Elementary School to over 415 students, parents and faculty. The program shared
easy-to-cook corn recipes meant to improve nutrition in the school, which is
vital for child performance and productivity.
Monsanto Philippines and Gawad Kalinga officially turned
over seedlings to family-beneficiaries in Sara, Iloilo. Present during the
turn-over were Monsanto Philippines Corporate Engagement Lead Charina
Garrido-Ocampo (far left), Monsanto-GK Village President Hadjie Balome (second
to the left), Monsanto Corporate Affairs Officer Paulyne Ordillo (second to the
last from right), and GK Representative Rodel Jaca (far right).
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