Monsanto Philippines Inc. strengthened its campaign to food sufficiency and access to balanced meals in the country by recently contributing planting materials, such as seedlings, to over 54 families at Monsanto - Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Barangay Aldeguer, Sara, Iloilo. Corporate Affairs Lead Charina Ocampo of Monsanto Philippines, together with Monsanto-GK Village President Hadjie Balome, led the turnover of planting materials in the village, encouraging members of the community to grow their own vegetable garden. Monsanto shared 540 packs of bitter gourd, squash and string bean to the members of the village, which are meant to establish a sustainable source of nutrition in the community. According to Balome, the project not only helps the community to access balanced meals but also helps them to potentially earn.“These seedlings do not require high maintenance when planted and they actually grow relatively quick. This also allows the community to readily have healthier food options. Since they’re easily harvested, they can also choose to sell them,” Monsanto-GK Village President Hadjie Balome said.
Monsanto Philippines recently reached out to more than 250 students of Tuguegarao West Cental School in Cagayan and conducted an educational session through story-telling of Lina’s Town Rises again, Corporate Engagement Lead of Monsanto Philippines and author of Lina’s Town Rises Again, Charina Garrido-Ocampo imparted the importance of agricultural biotechnology as a solution to feed a growing nation. “We, at Monsanto wanted to educate young minds to engage in agriculture because we are an agricultural country and 32% of our population are into agriculture,” she pointed out. Through the animation viewing of the story which emphasizes on the positive impact of biotech corn (Dekalb®) in the lives of Filipino farmers, Monsanto Philippines wanted to encourage children to embrace farming and the products of agricultural biotechnology as a means of transforming farmers’ lives and farming communities.
