DAVAO CITY—Creativity came to play in Agusan del Sur as the Caraga regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) installed a floating nursery for use of farmers living in the Agusan Marsh.
The floating nursery was developed last October and recently installed in a wetland area in Barangay Sabang Gibong, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur—an area commonly known as Agusan Marsh.
The DA Caraga office said the idea germinated after considering the area as a possible site for vegetable production, which could give additional livelihood for the marshland community.
It said the materials for the nursery—net, bamboo, ropes, seeds, seedling trays, plastic mulch and sprinklers—were given to the residents. They were also taught how to prepare the nursery, to cultivate the crops and how to manage livestock production. The technicians also explained and trained them on how to make a floating nursery, the DA said.
The DA-Caraga office said it allocated P175,000 for the 50 units of the floating garden in the area using different methods of floaters. Initially, 10 units were already planted with bell pepper and Chinese cabbage (pechay).
The DA said its personnel would visit the community to provide guidance until the completion of the project; from planting, harvesting and to marketing.
The DA said it would ensure a sustainable livelihood for the community “despite the challenge of climate change since they have been experiencing floods for months, with no permanent agricultural land suitable for cultivation.”
This intervention was also adapted to the conservation efforts of the area’s biodiversity.
The DA said the Agusan Marsh is one of the most ecologically-significant wetlands in the Philippines, a protected area in Agusan del Sur declared during the time of former President Fidel V. Ramos.
Within its lakes, several floating communities can be found. During the wet season, it is a large single swamp while in dry season, it turns into a series of interconnected rivers and isolated swamps and lakes with the Agusan River flowing through the center.