THESE days, everyone is either a fur-parent or a plant-parent. Being a plant-parent or plant-tita seems easier because plants aren’t as high maintenance as animals, no matter how small they are.
Plants can transform any indoor or outdoor space and give it an oasis-like feel. In these times, we need that. But as someone who grew up in a house that was always filled with plants inside and out, I’ve never had to care for them except for the few times my mom was away for months and I was assigned to water them. Well, I always overwatered them and many of them died but my mom never learned.
These days, people are buying plants by the bulk on Facebook and Instagram. I guess that taking care of a plant is just like raising a pet. In quarantine though, it is more convenient to take care of plants than pets in a condominium with many restrictions. Also, you don’t need to walk a plant or bring it to a vet. It just needs water, fertilizer and, occasionally, sunshine.
For many people, particularly during quarantine, it’s not just that plants bring comfort and joy. It’s also about food security. As someone who grew up in the province, I know the importance of growing one’s food. We even used to grow some vegetables and raise chickens in our backyard.
To help encourage more people to become plant-titos and plant-titas and raise awareness on food security, Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) and the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) have teamed up to produce a web series, called Kalye Mabunga.
This series is in support of the government’s ongoing “Plant, Plant, Plant” campaign that encourages people to attain food security at the household level by making available healthy, nutritious food in their own homes.
Each 10-minute episode tackles topics such as choosing which vegetable, fruit and herbs can be planted in an urban setting. Urban dwellers, especially those with limited spaces, can learn about city space farming, garden maintenance, and proper habits. Episodes on making gardening supplies out of recycled materials, as well as using plants for art projects, aim to encourage parents to get their children interested in plants.
Aside from planting, viewers can also learn how to cook healthy vegetable dishes. An episode on medicinal herbs can help provide more natural remedies for common sicknesses. Partner guests will also share best practices on how they successfully developed their own backyard farms.
In addition, the series will also feature special episodes for young kids that aim to educate them about food and farming to make them appreciate the value of agriculture even at a young age.
“Kalye Mabunga” will run until September 25, every Friday, 8 pm, at the Smart Communities Facebook page.
The online series is supported by the Department of Education Philippines, Bangsamoro Development Agency, PLDT-Smart’s Gabay Kalikasan and Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc.