The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) turned over a solar-powered Indoor Cultivation System (ICS) to the Million Trees Foundation Inc. (MTFI) in Quezon City, marking a significant advance in climate-smart urban agriculture.
The system, received by Million Trees Foundation president Melandrew Velasco, is designed to enhance food security by enabling soil-less food production using optimized solar energy in compact urban environments.
The new facility is expected to serve as a model for modern urban agriculture, generating fresh produce for beneficiaries while supporting research and training on climate-resilient farming techniques.
The turnover ceremony also marked the launching of an Information Caravan on Urban Agriculture to provide training on vegetable gardening, pest management, food safety and indoor cultivation fundamentals.
The ICS features integrated controls and adaptive indoor farming capabilities, which DA-BPI director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said is a symbol of collaboration and commitment to food security. His message, read by Agricultural Engineering Division officer-in-charge-chief engineer Elaiza Nicole Dotimas, highlighted the system’s role in strengthening food production in urban communities.
Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina ‘Joy’ Belmonte commended the initiative, noting it reflects the city’s partnership with MTFI and BPI–NUPAP in expanding accessible, science-based technologies for urban farming.
In a message read by Quezon City head for urban farming Cristina Perez, Belmonte said harnessing solar energy for sustainable production empowers communities to “grow more with less—less land, less water and less environmental impact.”
Velasco reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to maximizing the ICS as part of its expanding Nursery and Eco-Learning Center at the La Mesa Watershed.
Velasco said the system would strengthen their programs on sustainability and environmental education, building on the foundation’s advocacy to plant a million trees annually until 2030 to protect seven critical watersheds.
The event gathered leaders including Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System deputy administrator Ryan Ayson, Rotary International District 3780 incoming district governor Rhyan Virrey and Maynilad Water vice president for quality, sustainability and resiliency Roel Espiritu.
