Mariano Marcos State University's (MMSU) quick-response initiative, "???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????????????," was officially launched during the nationwide rollout of the Good Agri-Aqua Livelihood Initiative Towards National Goals (GALING) PCAARRD Kontra Krisis (GPKK) Program on June 22. The ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? is one of 63 projects funded by the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) that seek to accelerate the application of science and technology through technology adoption, enterprise and network development, and policy and institutional strengthening to build resilient communities nationwide.

The ceremonial launch was held through a hybrid event at the DOST-PCAARRD Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, with partner institutions participating both onsite and online. During the ceremony, ????????. ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????. ???????????????????????????? ????????., MMSU President, signed the Statement of Cooperation, signifying the University's commitment to the successful implementation of the project. Joining him were ????????. ???????????????????????????????????? ????. ????????????????????????????????, Vice President for Research, Development and Innovation and ILAARRDEC Consortium Director; ????????. ???????????????????????????????? ????. ????????????????????, Research Director; ????????. ???????????????????????? ????. ????????????????????????????, project leader of the Food Garden Project; and ????????. ???????????????????? ????. ????????ñ????, project leader of another MMSU-GPKK Project.

Over the next 18 months, the Food Garden Project aims to strengthen household food security and build resilient communities in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur through the establishment of 30 climate-resilient community food gardens. Responding to economic and climatic uncertainties, it will train at least 600 households in sustainable, low-input food production technologies while promoting the cultivation of indigenous vegetables and other locally adapted crops using science-based practices such as vermicomposting, natural pest management, fertigation, and efficient water-use technologies. In addition, the project will develop information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, organize community support groups, and facilitate the formulation of local government-supported sustainability plans to encourage the long-term adoption and replication of climate-resilient food gardening practices.

The project is a convergence initiative of the ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? (????????????????????)under the Research Directorate and the Extension Directorate, highlighting MMSU's integrated approach to translating research into community-based extension programs that address rising agricultural production costs, climate-related challenges, and household food insecurity. The project promotes practical, low-cost, and climate-resilient food production systems that strengthen local food systems and improve the well-being of vulnerable households.

MMSU's Food Garden Project is one of three projects endorsed by the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) under the GPKK Program, underscoring the consortium's contribution to advancing science- and technology-based solutions that promote food security, climate resilience, and sustainable community development in the Ilocos Region.

 Guiller R. Lopez, and FBLive

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