The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched an urban farming program designed to empower urban poor communities through farming malunggay to fight hunger poverty and malnutrition.

A joint project of the DA, Aktibong Kapatiran Tungo sa Iisang Bayan (AKTIB) and the Asian Center for Grassroots Communication and Advocacy (Asian Grassroots), the program aims to promote the backyard planting of malunggay, in the city.

Scientifically known as moringa oleifera lamk, malunggay leaves are naturally rich in vitamins C and A, calcium, protein, iron and potassium.

The DA has identified a total of 14 barangays in five cities and one municipality in Metro Manila as pilot areas for the project, which Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said would also be launched in urban poor communities in Metro Iloilo, Metro Davao, Metro Naga and other metropolitan areas in the Philippines including Zamboanga del Norte, the poorest province in the country according to a study of the National Statistics Coordination Board in 2006.

The planting of malunggay will initially be carried out in Barangays Commonwealth, Payatas and Pinyahan in Quezon City; Barangays Bagong Silang, Camarin, Tala Bukid Area and Malaria in Caloocan City; Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City; Barangay San Antonio in Makati City; Barangay Nanca and Parang in Marikina City; and Barangay Sta. Ana in the Municipality of Pateros.

Through the program, urban poor communities in the Quezon City, Caloocan City, Mandaluyong City, Makati City, Marikina City and Pateros under AKTIB will receive malunggay seedlings from the DA to help them achieve better quality of life and better health brought about by the crop nutritional value and health a greener urban communities.

Malunggay has great agri-business potential. Powdered malunggay leaves are now being used for the biofortification of noodles, soups, bread and other snacks, while the seeds, using biotechnology, can produce pure and multipurpose oil.

The launching of Malunggay in the City made possible through the cooperation of the DA-Biotechnology Program Office (BPO), the Biotechnology for Life Media and Advocacy Resource Center, Asian Grassroots and AKTIB, is one of the highlights of this year celebration of the annual National Biotechnology Week, to be held every last week of November starting this year, as mandated by the President in Proclamation 1414. (biolife news service)