WNAS Foodscaping Project, the Edible Landscape!

In our pursuit of food sustainability and security, TESDA–Wangan National Agricultural School advocates Foodscaping, also known as edible landscaping. The concept is a combination of farming and landscaping to create a beautiful scenery that will feed one’s eyes and tummy. Introducing creative techniques to design the garden that it grows edible plants. A better way of growing a functional garden, feeding oneself while making the garden look attractive.

Foodscpaing Concept is the fresh mandate of TESDA XI Regional Director, Engr. Lorenzo G. Macapili, DTE, during the Executive Committee Meeting on May 4, 2020, via Zoom App. The Regional Head presented the framework of the Foodscaping dubbed as A Journey to the New Normal.

He cited that Foodscaping fits the Filipino culture of Bayanihan System. The unit of a family in a certain area can plant varieties of vegetables and tend the garden or farm. They can share the harvest to the neighborhood and have an exchange of other produce. The surplus harvest can be pooled together for sharing with others or can be merged for trading to potential market partners. It promotes welfare, unity, and solidarity in the community while securing the health, and saves consumption expenses that can be converted to savings.

The project is one step towards self-sufficiency, productivity, and resiliency. But, it should start with a skills training intervention by TESDA in organic agriculture production, preparation of concoctions and garden landscaping or designing. Foodscaping is a revolutionary concept of food security and availability of food supply at all times because we can plant a variety of organic vegetables, root crops, herbs, and medicinal plants every household can consume that.

  

He added that every employee, either regular or job orders, must develop and sustain at least twenty square meters of underutilized spaces in the institution. The challenge cascaded by the Regional Director to the TTI Heads drew support because it will be a way of maintaining the cleanliness and aesthetic look of the school while we are still battling with the pandemic. Because with the current situation, the school only relies on its strength with the existing workforce–the employees!

As an agricultural institution, WNAS embraces the project as it fuels another milestone to foster. In response to this direction, Vocational Instruction Supervisor Engr. Melanie M. Domingo assigned designated areas to all trainers and staff, including the security guards to cultivate for the gardening. We developed every vacant space in our school and even converted the ornamental plant boxes to be planted with vegetables. Everyone is up for the challenge and started its own version of Foodscaping.

The potential of these Foodscaping efforts affects the call for food sustainability to make sure a sufficient available foods to serve on our table. It only proves that when food security is at stake, we resort to creatively becoming part of the solution.