THE Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) is assessing gardens and the utilization of their produce in selected schools in Palawan.
Titled “Assessment and Utilization of School Garden Produce through a Cooking Contest/Recipe Development and Monitoring and Evaluation Activities of School Gardens,” this Searca initiative is part of the School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise or SHGBee in Coron and Busuanga, Palawan.
According to Searca, the initiative, designed to improve the nutritional status of children, integrates fresh produce from school gardens into the school-based feeding program of the Department of Education (DepEd).
A teacher and the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program coordinator from Malbato Elementary School in Palawan and the students responsible for maintaining their school garden. SEARCA PHOTO
Searca arranged a cooking contest to encourage collaboration between parents and students in preparing nutritious recipes using locally grown vegetables.
The contest was held across nine pilot schools, each maintaining a school garden where vegetables harvested are key ingredients in the competition.
It began at Cheey Elementary School, Salvacion Elementary and National High School, Decalachao Elementary and National High School, Malbato Elementary School, Claudio Sandoval and Claudio Sandoval South Elementary Schools, and Bulalacao Integrated School.
“The activity not only promotes healthy eating habits but also aims to enhance biodiversity awareness and develop enterprise skills within the community by showcasing the benefits of home and school gardens,” Searca said.
The three main criteria in evaluating recipes are acceptability, nutritional value and originality.
Student judges assessed the acceptability of each recipe to determine if the flavors appeal to their palates. At the same time, the school health office staff evaluated the nutritional value and content, ensuring the recipes meet the dietary needs of the students.
Searca staff judged the originality and presentation, ensuring the recipes are innovative and visually appealing.
Meanwhile, evaluators from the DepEd Schools Division of Laguna conducted a comprehensive assessment of the Gulayan sa Paaralan (school gardens) to review its implementation and maintenance.
Searca said the evaluators examined various elements, such as the types of vegetables cultivated, the structures used for plant support (such as trellises), the practices and techniques implemented to improve garden productivity and documentation.
They also assessed the schools’ composting practices, nursery areas and crop diversity.
DepEd aims to understand the schools’ gardening practices through this assessment and identify successful strategies that could be expanded to other areas.
Also during the final day of the event, the Regalo ng Kilit Foundation Inc. (RKFI) celebrated the Fifth Kilit Festival, which is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting advocacy campaigns on wildlife protection, conservation and sustainable management.
RKFI President Manuel Reyes said the event featured various festive activities and competitions involving students and teachers from different schools in Busuanga and Coron.
Through its activities, the festival aims to educate the community, particularly young people, on the importance of biodiversity preservation and the responsible stewardship of natural resources, emphasizing a commitment to a sustainable future for Palawan’s unique ecosystems.
The festival commenced with a lively parade led by the festival’s mascot, Kilit, representing the blue-headed racket-tail or Palawan racket-tail, an endangered parrot species native to Palawan. It was concluded with the announcement of the winners of the Best School Garden Implementer award.
Malbato Elementary School earned the first-place distinction for its outstanding garden implementation and maintenance efforts, showcasing innovative gardening practices and a high sustainability standard.
The second placer was Salvacion National High School. It was recognized for its commitment to garden development and community engagement.
Decalachao National High School secured third place and was commended for its effective garden management and contribution to promoting nutritional education.
Searca said the awards celebrate the schools’ dedication to fostering sustainable practices and enhancing food security through their school gardens, inspiring similar efforts across the region.
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