Philippine senator files bill to create food farms in urban areas to help attain food security

Manuel Mercado Lapid , popularly known as Lito Lapid, (born October 25, 1955 in Porac, Pampanga) is a Filipino actor, politician and Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.

The bill also tasks the Department of Science and Technology to study vertical farming

Excerpt:

An Act promoting the use of urban agriculture and vertical farming in the country’s metropolitan areas to address food security concerns and regenerate ecosystem functions appropriating funds therefor and for other purpose.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Urban Agriculture and Verlical Farming Act of 2011 “.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to reaffirm the fundamental right of every person to adequate food and to be free from hunger. The aChievement of self-sufficiency in food production is therefore adopted as a primary state policy. Towards this end, key reforms for the development of modern, appropriate, cost-effective and environmentally safe agricultural technologies are hereby encouraged in order to ensure the food security of the country.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the term:
“Urban agriculture” shall refer to the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing of food in, or around a village, town or city. Urban agriculture also involves animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and horticulture.

“Vertical Farming” shall refer to the method of farming that is brought to the urban space by employing the concepts of indoor agriculture in skyscrapers and other modern buildings.

Read the complete Act here.

See the news article here.

See Senator Lapid’s website here.