Baguio city: Amid space constraints and urban living conditions, residents here are starting to grow their own food by using technological solutions designed for small areas, ensuring their families have access to healthy meals. The Hydroponics for Advanced Resilient and Viable Eco-Smart Technology program aims to address food insecurity by promoting sustainable and affordable food production in communities and schools.

According to Philippine News Agency, the city government's hydroponics project, piloted in five barangays, has shown strong potential to boost the city's food security. City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) head Dr. Silardo Bested highlighted the encouraging results of the vegetable yield from the community-based greenhouses in the villages of Slaughterhouse Compound, Imelda Marcos, Kabayanihan, Outlook Drive, and Irisan Eco-Park during their pilot runs last year.

CVAO reported a harvest of 280 kilograms of lettuce, pechay (cabbage), kangkong (water spinach), and cucumber; and 22 kilograms of bok choy (Chinese cabbage) on January 6. The harvested produce supported supplemental feeding programs for children and vulnerable families.

In addition to the barangay-operated hydroponics greenhouses, the CVAO conducted 11 training sessions to promote urban gardening, emphasizing pot-growing and vertical wall gardens. Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated that this initiative fulfills the city's commitment to promoting smart farming practices, optimizing limited resources, and leveraging modern technology to ensure sustainable agricultural productivity.