When you think of Bacolod City, what images come to mind? For many people, it’s sugarcane fields and festive MassKara smiles. Yet tucked between those familiar scenes is an emerging trend: urban agriculture. From balconies bursting with kangkong and pechay to community gardens thriving on previously empty lots, Bacolodnons are rediscovering the joy and practicality of growing food at home.
The movement took off during the pandemic, when lockdowns exposed just how fragile our food supply chains are. A group of friends in Barangay Estefania started a small garden on an unused basketball court, sharing seedlings and trading harvests. Within a few months, similar pockets of green were popping up in neighboring barangays. The Bacolod City government even launched an “Urban Farming Program” that distributes starter kits and provides training on composting and organic farming.
Urban farming isn’t entirely new. Our grandparents maintained backyard gardens to supplement their meals; what’s different now is the scale and creativity. Residents are adapting old rain barrels into hydroponic towers, installing vertical gardens along walls, and converting rooftop spaces into mini-farms. Some entrepreneurs have turned their passion into small businesses, selling salad greens and herbs through social media. Others host weekend workshops to teach kids how to plant seeds and care for them.
Why does this matter? Beyond the obvious benefit of fresh, chemical‑free produce, urban gardens foster community resilience. They reduce dependency on imported vegetables and empower families to take control of what they eat. They also bring neighbors together—sharing tips, swapping seedlings, or simply chatting while watering plants. Studies have shown that tending to plants can reduce stress and improve mental well‑being. It’s no wonder many urban farmers refer to their plots as their “therapy gardens.”
There are challenges, of course. Space is limited, pests can be relentless, and not everyone has access to clean water for irrigation. But Bacolodnons are finding solutions. Rainwater collection systems are becoming popular, and some groups have partnered with local hardware stores to donate recycled materials. Meanwhile, schools are incorporating gardening into their curricula, so that the next generation grows up seeing plants not as decoration but as a source of nourishment.
From rice fields to urban gardens, Bacolod is showing that innovation and tradition can grow side by side. The movement invites us to rethink the spaces around us and to imagine a city where every neighborhood has its own patch of green. If you haven’t planted anything yet, why not start with a pot of basil on your windowsill? You might just find yourself part of Bacolod’s blooming urban farming story.
