In a significant achievement for community-driven sustainability, Rizal Technological University (RTU) clinched the 1st Place award for Best Extension Paper at the 2024 International Multidisciplinary Research and Extension Advocacy Conference for Champions of Change (IMREACH). The university’s flagship extension program, “Urban Agriculture in the Barangay: Vegetable Production for Livelihood in the Barangays of Mandaluyong City,” was recognized for its innovative approach to sustainable urban farming. The project, spearheaded by experts Asst. Prof. Jovita A. Anit, Instr. Edilberto I. Perez, Assoc. Prof. Alexander B. Quilang, Asst. Prof. John Oliver P. Distor, and Mr. Norberto R. Bautista, highlights RTU’s leadership in integrating research and extension for community development.
The event was held October 10 to 11, 2024, IMREACH featured the theme “Traversing the Digital Age with Scaled-Up Initiatives on the Internationalization of Research and Extension Services.” Among many projects, RTU’s urban agriculture initiative stood out for its focus on empowering local communities by utilizing urban spaces for vegetable farming. This initiative has not only enhanced food security but has also provided sustainable income opportunities for residents of Mandaluyong City.
The Urban Agriculture in the Barangay program is an exemplary model of how small-scale, community-based agricultural projects can address critical urban issues such as food insecurity and unemployment. Through this initiative, RTU has provided technical support, resources, and hands-on training to residents in urban farming practices, promoting self-sufficiency and economic stability in low-income areas. By converting idle urban spaces into productive agricultural zones, the project has effectively contributed to poverty alleviation while fostering environmental stewardship in the city.
This recognition at IMREACH 2024 affirms RTU’s dedication to impactful research and extension services that respond to the needs of local communities. The success of this project showcases the university’s commitment to fostering collaborations with local government units and community leaders, highlighting urban agriculture as a powerful tool for building resilient, sustainable communities.
As RTU continues to expand its leadership in community-based research and extension services, the Urban Agriculture in the Barangay program stands as a model for other cities and academic institutions aiming to tackle food insecurity and create sustainable livelihoods in densely populated urban areas.