Bio-intensive gardens provide nutrition, adapt to climate change, and support biodiversity. They involve narrow, raised beds that are dug 12 inches deep, improving soil structure and water retention. Gardens feature diverse, indigenous crops and cover crops that build soil health. Studies found bio-intensive gardens increased soil nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus while supporting above and below ground biodiversity. Schools saw high vegetable production from their gardens, which provided both nutritional and financial benefits.

1. Bio-intensive gardens:
Nutrition sensitive, climate
smart and biodiversity rich
Julian F. Gonsalves, PhD
IIRR Senior Adviser
juliangonsalves@yahoo.com

2. Bio-intensive gardens have
been used in the
Philippines since mid-80s
and endorsed by both the
Departments of Education and
Agriculture (a set of principles
and methods that transcends
policy and programs).

3. Bio-intensive gardens
are a biological (organic)
form of gardening
compatible with other
initiatives (container
gardens, landscape and
edible gardens).

4. Bio-intensive gardens
provide opportunities
to demonstrate nutrition-
sensitive and climate-
smart agriculture, SAFE
FOOD and RESILIENT
GARDEN.

5. A key principle has
always been
NARROW, RAISED and
DEEP DUG beds.

6. A depth of 12 inches is
achieved by a careful ONE-
time digging operation.
Outcomes are aerated
soils, better drainage and
space for roots and below
ground biodiversity.

7. Reasons for deep-digging
❑ Deep beds drain out excess water during heavy rains.
During drought, these beds dry-out much later than
conventional beds.
❑ Applied water is stored in lower profile of the soil,
reducing evaporation, thereby conserved for a longer
period of time.
❑ Conserves not only above ground biodiversity but also
BELOW ground biodiversity that consists of beneficial
microbe and earthworms.

8. BIG features locally
adapted crops and varieties
that withstand low fertility
conditions and adverse
environments. To reduce
climate and pest risks and
ensure nutritional diversity
(at least) 60% should be
indigenous crops.

9. A BIG makes the
best use of
horizontal and
vertical spaces,
creating a micro-
environment that is
cooler.

10. BIG methods involve
close planting: deep
beds encourage deep
routing, weed control is
achieved and moisture
in beds is conserved
(climate-smart).

11. A boundry and alleys
of gliricidia (kakawate)
helps reduce garden
temperatures both
above and below the
ground: helps cope
with rising
temperatures.

12. Planting of kakawate
Adoption
❑ Out of 58 LS, 86% or 50
schools WITH > 70%
KAKAWATE
✓easier access to
fertilizer
✓Cooler climate within
the garden
✓ protection against
strong winds

13. Adoption of cover cropping and green manure
C OV E R C R OP P IN G
GR E E N M AN U R IN G
No. of
schools
%
(N=58)
BIG PRACTICES
54 93.10
Schools WITH cover crops
during summer vacation
52 89.66
Schools using green
manure
Adoptionofcovercroppingandgreen
manuringinthe58LS.

14. Adoption of cover crop in summer
❑ Helps sustain garden plots during
dry months when other crops are
hard to grow.
❑ Dense foliage of cover crops
(legumes) protects soil from wind
and water erosion; and keeping
soil temperature low.
❑ Provide large amounts of
nitrogen and increases soil’s
organic matter through time.

15. Results of soil analysis in 3 sentinel schools
Parameters
Non-BIG BIG
Sentinel 1 Sentinel 2 Sentinel 3 Sentinel 1 Sentinel 2 Sentinel 3
Soil pH 7.6 7.6 7.8 7.2 7.2 7.5
Nitrogen (N) Low Low Low High High High
Phosphorus (P) Medium Medium Low High High High
Potassium (K) Sufficient Sufficient Sufficient Sufficient Sufficient Sufficient
Organic matter
(OM), %
1.56 1.37 0.92 2.23 5.68 1.46
Calcium (Ca)
cmolc/kg soil
21.19 15.75 17.25 15.41 16.31 18.02
Magnesium (Mg)
cmolc/kg soil
15.41 4.5 5.17 5.62 6.14 2.2

16. Gardens are mimicking
nature: birds, butterflies
and natural predators.
Both below and above
ground biodiversity is
featured.

17. Diversity in a garden
results in an immediate
drop in pest
populations, creates
micro-climates
(evaporation rates
differ) and different
demands on soil
nutrient nutrients.

18. Nutrition sensitivity
can be achieved via a
diverse garden: at least
12 to 15 crops (inter-
species and intra-
species diversity).

19. Amaranth / Kulitis (Amaranthus spp.)
Amaranth leaves
◆ Excellent source of calcium, iron, vitamin C & fiber and a good source of
phosphorus & amino acids.
◆ “found to contain some of the highest levels of beta-carotene and lutein”, which
both promote eye health
Amaranth grains
◆ Reduces blood pressure and lowers total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL aka
“bad cholesterol”
◆ Contains Lunasin, “a peptide widely thought to have cancer-preventive benefits,
and possibly blocking inflammation that accompanies diabetes, heart disease,
and stroke.”
◆ One of the most nutritious vegetable-based protein- comparable with animal-
based protein.
◆ A research in Peru showed that protein uptake of children fed with amaranth
flour was favorable, and combining amaranth with corn provided for better
protein uptake than consuming corn alone.
Source:wholegrainscouncil.org

20. Indigenous Legumes are high in protein, iron and fiber
Patani
Lima Bean
(Phaseolus lunatus)
• High in calcium
• Fiber helps prevent
heart disease &
manage blood
sugar levels among
diabetics
Paayap
Cow pea
(Vigna unguiculata)
• Excellent source of
phosphorus
• Anti-oxidant
contents help fight
cancer
• Magnesium
improves bone
health and sleep
patterns
Tapilan
Rice bean
(Vigna umbellata)
• Excellent source of
calcium & phosphorus
for healthy bones and
teeth
• Seed oil fed to diabetic
rats resulted to
decrease in blood
glucose, total
cholesterol & increase
in good cholesterol
Kadyos
Pigeon pea
(Cajanus kajan)
• High source of
cancer fighting
vitamin C
• Good source of
phosphorus- also
important for
growth & repair of
body cells
Bataw
Hyacinth bean
(Dolichos lablab)
• Source of calcium,
vitamins B1 which
inhibits heart diseases
& heart failure
• Has zinc which
prevents cancer and
boosts immunity

21. Diversity of crops grown (in the 3 sentinel schools)
20 11 11 10 10 10 8
TOTAL LEAFY CONDIMENTS FRUIT FRUIT ROOTS SEEDS
VEGETABLES TREES
60
40
0
Classification of crops grown according to uses
No.ofcropsplanted

22. Yes, BIG can feature
vegetables and crops too
especially vanishing crops
so children can learn
(millets, corn, upland rice,
peanuts).

23. Root crops
Gabi (White/San Fernando) Gabi (Tagalog) Burmese canna
Ginger/Luya
(Tagalog/Native)
Turmeric/Luyang dilaw
(Big Variety)
Turmeric/Luyang dilaw
(Tagalog/Native)

24. Legumes
Cowpea Nigeria
(Paayap)
Pigeon pea
(kadios)
Hyacinth bean
(Red Batao)
Hyacinth bean
(Green Batao)
String bean
(Sitao)
Hyacinth bean
(Bush Batao)

25. Fruit bearing vegetables
Eggplant/Talong
(Araw-Araw)
Eggplant/Talong (Mistisa) Eggplant/Talong
(White)
Eggplant/Talong
(Pepito)
Eggplant/Talong (Cambodia) Eggplant/Talong (Guinyangan)

26. Water leaf Spinach
(Talinum/Talilong)
Horse raddish tree
(Malungay)
Long Fruited-Jute
(Saluyot)
Tree Spinach
(Chaya)
Japanese Malungay
(Sauropus)
Rosselle Native
(Labug)
Leafy vegetables

27. Tinabunan ES, Imus City
Seed exchange
events
To maintain interest,
cross visits should be
organized between
schools. New materials
should be frequently
collected.
➢ Two seed exchanges
can be facilitated every
year: one within a
school district and the
other between school
districts.

28. ➢ Schools will distribute “diversity” kits that has 20 small packets containing 5-20 seeds.
➢ Each school district will label the seed packets with information about the source of seeds (e.g.
Antipolo City, Ivisan, etc.)
Seed exchange events

29. Lipa City Division
Seed exchange events
➢ Seedlings and cuttings may also be exchanged
Tinabunan ES, Imus City

30. Batangas Province Division
Take the case of the Division of Batangas Province
They conduct province-wide seed exchanges every year, alongside the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program Orientation,
through the leadership of Education Program Supervisor in EPP/TLE-
Ms. Macaria Carina Carandang (for more tips you may contact her at mccc0104@yahoo.com)
Seed exchange events

31. Utilization of garden produce

32. Potential Income in 200sqm area in 3 sentinel schools for
Aug. 2017 to May 2018 Harvest
Php30,534.00
Php44,370.00
Php49,259.00
PesoValue
SENTINEL 1 SENTINEL 2 SENTINEL 3
Potentialincome(PhP)inthe3sentinelschools

33. School garden production in 200sqm area in the 3 sentinel
schools
528kgs
818kgs 796kgs
Yieldinkilograms
GardenOutput(kg)fromAug.2018toMay2019
Potential yield/
production up to 818
kilograms can be
attained planting and
harvesting is
maximized.SENTINEL 1 SENTINEL 2 SENTINEL 3
Average yield in 21
LS is 192 kgs in 599
sqm average garden
size

37. Credits
Special thanks to all the people who contributed to
this presentation:
◆ Ma. Sheila Anunciado
◆ Kirstein Itliong
◆ Ronnie de Castro