Guidelines for School Vegetable Garden Program

General Objective: Promote self-help food production and instill appreciation of agriculture among children.
Specific Objectives:
- Encourage vegetable production through natural farming in public elementary and high schools.
- Establish and maintain school gardens as main sources of vegetables for supplementary feeding.
- Showcase small-scale food production models in schools for replication in households/communities to promote family food security.

Program starts in school year 2011.
Targets 26 provinces per year, total 78 provinces by 2016.
Targets establishing 8,415 school gardens per year, totaling 42,076 schools by 2016.
Covers all public elementary and high schools in 16 regions and the National Capital Region.

Department of Agriculture (DA) leads the program implementation.
DA includes Regional Field Units, Agricultural Training Institute, Bureau of Plant Industry, Crop Research and Development Centers, Seed Quality Laboratories, and Bureau of Soil and Water Management.
Other stakeholders include Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health - National Nutrition Council (DOH-NNC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Private and People's Organizations encompass cooperatives, Parent Teachers Associations, 4H Clubs, youth and senior citizen organizations.

Sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among national agencies to formalize implementation.
Creation of Agri Pinoy Implementing Team at regional, provincial, and municipal levels to:
- Masterlist schools with details on population and preferred vegetables.
- Conduct social preparation and value formation for involved personnel.
- Coordinate and conduct trainings on vegetable growing, organic fertilizer, pest management, seed production, container/backyard gardening.
- Establish school gardens with DA-supplied seeds and planting materials for vegetables and rootcrops.
Launch competitions for best school gardens to maintain interest.
Partner with legislators to provide incentives such as school facilities and equipment.
Source quality seeds from government stations and PhilSeed Industry Association members.
Local Government Unit (LGU) technicians provide ongoing technical assistance and monitoring.
Adopt sustainability schemes to ensure continuity.
Encourage partnerships with People’s Organizations, NGOs, churches, and youth groups.

Must have at least 200 square meters of vacant lot for gardens; container gardening allowed if no vacant lot.
Responsible for garden establishment, maintenance, and seed production.
Must assign a focal person to supervise the program.
Integrate program into Department of Education activities.
Parent Teachers Associations should actively support garden activities.
All harvests belong to the school and can be sold or used for supplementary feeding.

Led by DA/ATI and DepEd in coordination with National Nutrition Council (NNC).
Utilize Quad-media platforms for promotion.
Encourage private sector and People’s Organizations/NGOs participation in advocacy for vegetable production and consumption.

Regional, provincial, and municipal Agri Pinoy Technical Working Groups conduct regular monitoring and follow-ups.
DA Regional Field Units and Agricultural Training Institute consolidate reports and conduct program reviews and evaluations.
Regional reports submitted to the Chair of the Agri-Pinoy Task Force.
Document success stories at regional level.

Department of Agriculture (DA): Co-implements, sources initial budget, provides inputs, technical assistance, trainings, and information dissemination.
Department of Education (DepEd): Leads implementation, promotes vegetable consumption, allocates areas and resources, mainstreams budgeting for sustainability.
Local Government Units (LGUs): Provide partnership, assistance, resources, monitoring.
Congressional Representatives/Governors: Provide incentives and support.
Other partners: DOH-NNC assists in nutrition advocacy; NGOs assist in implementation and monitoring; media supports promotion; other agencies involved later.