Organic Seed Production Boosted by Government

Organic Seed Production Boosted by Government

It is acknowledged that organically grown agricultural produce is a healthier alternative. Also, organic farming is considered ecologically sound as far as farming techniques are concerned since chemicals that eventually find its residue in the eco-system are non-existent.

But it is not only in the growing of the agricultural products that organic farming is all about. The production of organic seeds is the first step in organic farming and the government recognizes this.

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) is endeavoring in this direction with its funding of the  “Development of Organic Seed Production System of Lowland Vegetables and Field Legumes  and Strengthening Partnership in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and the Bicol Region.” The aim of the project/program is the establishment of a national organic seed production area and at the same time expand the science based technology on organic seed production.

The project’s objective is  increasing the production of certified organic seeds of NSIC varieties and promising lines of field legumes and selected vegetables, maintaining organic certification from Organic  Certification Center of the Philippines  for the organic seed production system, strengthening partnership with identified organic stakeholders in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and the Bicol Region, and disseminating organic seed production technology to farmers and interested individuals in said regions.

The target is production area for tomato, eggplant, squash, ampalaya, bottle gourd, sponge gourd, mustard, okra, pole sitao, and cowpea consists of a three-hectare land inside BPI-LBNCRDC.

The project was initiated in 2013 and it led to the expansion of the organic seeds production area. 

More than 2,000 farmers and technicians trained on organic seed and vegetable production were the beneficiaries of the project. The trainings were conducted in Palawan, Albay, Sorsogon, and Oriental Mindoro, which led to the identification of possible collaborators of the project.

Thursday, January 11, 2018 Agriculture, DA, Organic, Technology-Others

PeacePond: Sustainable Organic Farming

PeacePond: Sustainable Organic Farming

A 2-hectare organic farm in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental is proving the sustainability of best agricultural and environmental practices.

PeacePond rose from what was formerly a fishpond that dated back to the 1960s. The fishpond then used chemical fertilizers and is the direct opposite of what it is today. 

Typhoon Frank devastated the fishpond in 2008 and the farmers noted the environmental concerns that went with it. They then transformed the once chemical dependent fishpond into an organic, environmentally friendly farm with five fishponds.

The organic farm is surrounded by coconut trees which is included in the entire 5-hectare farm wherein the 2-hectare organic farm is located. One of the 5 ponds has been converted into a mangrove plantation.

PeacePond is a showcase of best practices in farming such as crop rotation, intercropping, ran shelter, terracing, and multi-cropping. Year-round crop rotation of vegetables and is based in the Calendar for planting provided by the Department of Agriculture. 

One of the notable features of the farm is its Zero-Carbon Footprint for its irrigation system. Not using electric pumps for water distribution, PeacePond utilizes recycled bicycle parts in delivering water to 3 reservoir drums to 40 vegetable plots. Also, a rain catchment drums are utilized in providing water to the Organic Food Garden and the Organic Fertilizer Production.

Fertilizers are produced from agricultural wastes that are also used for pesticides, rodenticides, and compost.  

PeacePond also manufactures its own vinegar from coconut so as to utilize his important component in making pesticides as well as using natural insect repellents such as lemongrass in insect and pest control. 

PeacePond also conducted eco-tours that were undertaken last October 2016 to July 2017. The harvest from PeacePond includes the following:

1. Coconuts
2. Copra
3. Bangus
4. Virgin Coconut Oil
5. Vegetables
6. CocoSugar
7. Vermicast
8. CRH

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 Agriculture, Integrated Farm, Organic

How to maintain Pest-free Herbs

How to maintain Pest-free Herbs

Unlike today, home-made remedies for all sorts of aches and pains were sourced from the backyard. If one has an ankle sprain or running a fever, herbs were applied by one’s mother or the local “arbolaryo” who would then either boil it or pound it into a poultice and apply it on the affected area. Mang Kepweng was the village “arbolaryo” and would teach those who cared to listen on what plants and herbs to use in such cases. It only dawned that these plants contained natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory or anti-biotic properties. 

Of course, one has to sing Bahay Kubo to learn the herbs and vegetables that would either spice up our food or themselves provide nutrient-rich nourishment every day of the week. The song narrates a plethora of plants, spices and vegetables that can be cooked or prepared in almost endless variations so that no meal has to be replicated in a week or even 2 weeks.

Aside from medicinal and nutrition uses, these plants and herbs also serve as “air fresheners” and even pest control resources for farmers. Soap, body scrubs, ointments and tea are also sourced from these plants. 

One enemy of all these plants and herbs are insect pests and diseases. In order to  help farmers in controlling the infestation on such useful herbs, the University of Southern Mindanao conducted studies on how to address the problems caused by pests and diseases on these herbs and plants.

The study concluded that planting herbs that are appropriately distanced from each other, applying organic fertilizer, and frequent weeding are cultural practices that are critical to controlling the spread of pests and diseases. 

In controlling leaf blight, stem blight, fruit rot and other plant and herb diseases, organic pest controls were developed that uses organic materials such as chicken dung. Proper spacing of the plants together with application of organic fertilizers and frequent weeding also greatly benefitted the plants.

It was also discovered that the cleaning of the ground where the plants are being grown also has an effect on the health of the crops. Thus, clearing dead leaves from the ground decreases the chance of fungi growing and infecting the plants.

Identification of infected plants and removing them away from non-infected plants and succeeding planting of seedlings will break the cycle of these pests and diseases recurring.

This will increase production and yield. The biomass of the plants will also be increased. Most important of all, this will avoid the use of inorganic chemical pesticides that will cause more harm than good to the plants and its quality. 

The use of inorganic pesticides also pollutes the underground water table when it seeps into the ground and end up in waterways and estuaries.  

Sunday, January 29, 2017 Agriculture, DA News, Organic, Technology, Technology-Others

DOST-PCAARRD project beneficiaries from Brgy. Bagong Silang report better vegetable produce

DOST-PCAARRD project beneficiaries from Brgy. Bagong Silang report better vegetable produce

Women farmers bag bitter gourd (left) and water eggplants (right) (Photo by Rose Anne K. Mananghaya, ACD)

Farmer-cooperator and President of Barangay Bagong Silang farmers association Louie Carollo reported that vegetables grown organically yield bigger produce compared with vegetables grown using commercial fertilizers and pesticides. Carollo is one of the beneficiaries of the project, Gender-Responsive Organic Vegetable Production Livelihood Enterprise for Low-Income Communities of Los Baños, Laguna, which started in July 2015.

The project is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and implemented by the local government unit (LGU) of Los Baños in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry – Los Baños National Crop Research, Development, and Production Support Center (LBNCRDC).

Carollo also shared his experience in the Friday organic market organized by the LGU, where they were able to sell all their produce as early as noontime.

“We were surprised with the customers’ interest during the Friday organic market which is different from before when we had to drastically lower our prices just to sell all our produce,” Carollo said in Filipino.

Farmers of Barangay Bagong Silang grow organic Filipino bokchoy or pechay, mustard greens, sponge gourd, squash, eggplant, bittergourd, tomato, pepper, garlic, lettuce, and cucumber. A concrete rainwater catchment was set up in the farm vicinity as part of the project.

Women played significant role in the Barangay Bagong Silang communal farm. They do the planting, watering, weeding, bagging of bittergourd with nets to prevent damage from pests, and harvesting. Men, on the other hand, prepare the land for planting and transport their harvest for selling. Women also sell their produce in the Friday organic market at the LGU-Los Baños office.

Aside from Barangay Bagong Silang, the project identified barangays Timugan, Putho-Tuntungin, Bambang, and Malinta as beneficiaries. LGU-Los Baños considers organic vegetable production as potential livelihood for low-income communities as it provides growers with regular and continuous source of food and cash for the residents’ basic needs.

This project focuses on empowering women to engage in sustainable production of organic vegetables using science-based technologies. This initiative involves capacity building for farmer-cooperators and project implementers, particularly the LGU; provision of structures for organic seed production; creating and implementing a municipal ordinance ensuring the continuity of the project with permanent fund allocation; and support to a trading post or permanent local market outlet or “bagsakan” of organic produce.

Source: http://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/home/portal/index.php/quick-information-dispatch/2674-dost-pcaarrd-project-beneficiaries-from-brgy-bagong-silang-report-better-vegetable-produce

Friday, September 23, 2016 Agriculture, DA News, Organic, Sustainable farming, Technology-Land, Technology-Others

Searca, ADB install $32,525 climate smart gardens

Searca, ADB install $32,525 climate smart gardens

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), along with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has put up a $32,525 “climate smart” garden project that aims to improve food sufficiency and nutrition in the Philippines.

The project is being piloted in six schools in Laguna: Cabuyao Central School, Pedro Guevarra Memorial National High School, Labuin Elementary School, Crisanto Guysayko Memorial Elementary School, Majayjay Elementary School and San Andres Elementary School.

SEARCA director Gil Saguiguit Jr. said school gardens protect the environment, provide food needs of communities and instill skills on agriculture in the youth.

“School gardens serve as an alternative source of food and income for rural families to address the looming problems of rural poverty and hunger, which prevent access of many school children to quality education,” Saguiguit said.

The farming sites are equipped with climate smart facilities such as mini greenhouses.

In greenhouses, seedlings are protected from excessive heat of the sun or from strong winds. The greenhouse has its own rainwater collection system. Water is conserved and supplies irrigation needs for growth of plants.

SEARCA has pushed for inclusion of lessons in the program into the basic education curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd) to institutionalize knowledge in the school system.

Preparation of lesson plans for Grades 4 and 7 is now in its finalization stage, it said.

To be integrated into the DepEd’s Science, Math, English, Home Economics, and Technology and Livelihood Entrepreneurship curriculum are nutrition, organic agriculture, and climate change concepts.

A teacher’s manual will be piloted under the project up to December 2016.

The malnourished children in six pilot sites are to be helped through increase in supply of nutrients-filled food and improvement of dietary habits. The garden produce will be used in the feeding program of DepEd, Saguiguit said.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/science-and-environment/2016/09/08/1621395/searca-adb-install-32525-climate-smart-gardens

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 Agriculture, News, Organic, Technology-Land, Technology-Others

Philippine SC Reverses GMO Ruling

Philippine SC Reverses GMO Ruling

The Philippines Supreme Court has reversed its decision to halt field trials of GMO talong, also known as brinjal and eggplant.

The July 26 decision allows the government to resume the process of deregulating Bt talong — eggplant genetically engineered to resist the fruit and shoot borer, the most destructive eggplant insect pest throughout Asia.

The ruling follows an appeal by farmers, scientists and other agriculture advocates, who successfully asked the high court to reconsider its December 2015 ruling permanently stopping Bt talong field trials.

The high court initially upheld the Appellate court ruling, but today granted the motion for reconsideration and reversed its decision. It found that the case should have been dismissed for mootness since the field trials had already been completed and the associated biosafety permits had expired, according to a press briefing released by the court.

“These effectively negated the need for the reliefs sought by respondents as there was no longer any field test to stop,” the briefing stated. “Hence at the time the Court of Appeals rendered its Decision dated May 17, 2013, the reliefs respondents sought and which were granted by the CA were no longer capable of execution.”

“The Court explained that it is not empowered to decide moot questions or abstract propositions, or to declare principles or riles of law which cannot affect the result as to the thing in issue in the case before it,” the briefing stated. “An action is considered moot when it no longer presents a justiciable controversy because the issues have become academic or when the subject matter has been resolved.”

The Court further found that it should not have acted on the Constitutionality of the  Department of Agriculture’s Administrative Order No. 08, which authorized the field trials, “as this matter was only collaterally raised.”

Bt brinjal has been engineered to express a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium widely used for pest control in organic farming.  Bt brinjal is currently being grown only in Bangladesh, where farmers report reduced pesticide use, better yields, excellent consumer response and higher profits.

Its introduction to the Philippines has been fought by Greenpeace. In May 2012, the international activist group  successfully petitioned the  Court of Appeals to halt the field trials, which are conducted in a controlled, isolated setting to show the crop can be grown safely and successfully in local conditions.

Results from trials over three seasons in the Philippines demonstrated that Bt brinjal provides outstanding control of the fruit and shoot borer and eliminates the need for additional sprays. Studies have also confirmed Bt eggplant is safe for the environment and humans.

Source: http://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/philippines-supreme-court-reverses-gmo-ruling

Wednesday, July 27, 2016 Agriculture, News, Organic, Science, Technology-Others

DA-BSWM promotes biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices

DA-BSWM promotes biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices

SEATED (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) Ms Charo Ampil (DA-PRS), Dr. Edna Samar (DA-BSWM), Mr. Ben-Hur Viloria (BPP-PMU), Assistant Regional Director Maria Febe Orbe (Region XI) and BPP-TWG Chairman Engr. Samuel Contreras during the 2-Day Consultative Workshop on Biodiversity-Friendly Agricultural Practices (BDFAP) along with other participants from the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Davao Oriental, DENR XI, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bureau of Agricultural Research, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-XI),DA-Regional Field Office- XI (DA-RFO II) held at the at Rose Mandaya Hotel in Davao City.

The Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) recently participated in a two-day consultative workshop on Biodiversity-Friendly Agricultural Practices (BDFAPs), as one of the active agencies promoting environmental protection and conservation, at the Rose Mandaya Hotel in Davao City.

BSWM Director Silvino Q. Tejada underscored the impacts of mismanagement of agricultural lands and the environment to biodiversity and that therefore, appropriate methods and technologies of good farming practices should be advocated.

"We have lost the popularity of traditional farming practices with the advent of mono-culture to produce specific crops with high demand. That is why soil and water conservation is continuously being promoted by BSWM. We see to it that farmers learn new farming methods and technologies to improve agriculture while ensuring that the existence of equally important living organisms are not being compromised" said Tejada.

The event was conducted by DA together with DA-Policy Research Services, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Animal Industry, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), Bureau of Agricultural Research and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as implementing partners of Biodiversity Partnership Program (BPP) of the DENR.

As author of principles, BDFAPs seek to balance production targets while conservation of the natural resources and protection of the environment for the benefit of the future generations is being promoted.

BDFAPs refer to the pattern of farming and fishing decisions and actions that sustainably utilize and conserve biological diversity and its components to satisfy the increasing human needs and to improve livelihood in rural areas while addressing the threats that confront biodiversity.

Moreover, biodiversity-friendly agriculture practice incorporates considerations such as the enhancement of natural plant defense mechanism, soil management- organic soil amendments, use of cover crops, crop rotation, and use disease resistant cultivars that are being pushed by the Agriculture Department.

Several biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices were already established and being adopted by farmers such as the integrated farming system, the use of organic inputs like vermi-compost to agricultural farms, watershed management cum rice terracing, mulching in ratoon and organic farming in sugarcane farms, sustainable upland farming, establishment of marine protected areas and the culture of milkfish using 100 percent organic feeds.

These agricultural practices are not only considered beneficial among biological entities but also a contributing factor to economic stability by reducing the dependence of farmers to chemical fertilizers and is seen to provide potential income by way of long-term soil fertility through natural systems.

In addition, farmers can also manage to have two cropping per year because of abundant water supply through watershed management practice.

According to Engr. Samuel Contreras, Chief of Soil Conservation and Management Division of BSWM and DA-BPPTWG Chairman, these farming practices will uphold the balance in production and conservation that are mutually dependent to sustainable management of agricultural lands and environmental protection.

"Promoting Biodiversity Agricultural Practices not only encompasses environmentally-sound methods to guard other living organisms that share lands and other means to survive with man, this is also our calling to propagate these farming conservation measures, practices and management to reach farmer and fisher folks along with other stakeholders throughout the country," Contreras underlined. (Loraine D. Cerillo, DA-BSWM)

Tuesday, March 15, 2016 Agriculture, Organic, Technology-Implements, Technology-Land

Composting Facilities Awarded To Bataan Farmers’ Groups

Composting Facilities Awarded To Bataan Farmers’ Groups

The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), in collaboration with the VillarSipag Foundation recently awarded 17 units of composting facilities for biodegradable wastes (CFBW) to farmers’ groups in Orani, Bataan to promote the use of organic inputs and bio-fertilizers in rice and high value crops production.

The awarding ceremony held at Hotel Stotsenberg in Clark, Pampanga was attended by 350 participants composed of officials and representatives from local government units (LGUs), officials of the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) Management Office, concerned government offices and farmers’groups.

In September 2015, the BSWM collaborated with the Villar SIPAG Foundation to orient LGU recipients on CFBW.

According to BSWM Executive Director and NOAP National Coordinator Silvino Tejada, out of 83 units of CFBW to be delivered, 38 units of community-based composting facilities have already been established in Cordillera Province, Ilocos Region, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern and Central Mindanao, while the remaining 45 units will be completely delivered within the month of February 2016.

Orani, Bataan municipal agriculturist Arturo Matias said more than 800 farmers will benefit in the establishment of the composting facilities in their municipality and the use of the organic inputs will mean less expenses for the farmers.

Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairperson Sen. Cynthia Villar, meanwhile, said organic farming is one way of promoting sustainable agriculture wherein farmers get to produce their own fertilizers with the use of available biodegradable farm inputs.

"Ito po ang tinatawag nating sustainable agriculture at agro-ecology, kung saan hindi niyo na bibilhin ang inyong gagamiting fertilizer, bagkus kayo na mismo ang nagpo-produce on your own. This is what we are promoting, sustainable agriculture, through the establishment of these facilities in your community wherein you can produce one to two tons of organic fertilizer a month," she added.

“Considering that large amounts of biodegradable wastes come from markets and residences, there is a need to set-up composting facilities near markets, trading posts and residential areas that will convert those wastes into organic fertilizers/compost which could be used by farmers,” Tejada said.

In 2000, the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act was enacted and through this law, the use of environmentally-sound methods was put in place as a state policy to minimize the utilization of valuable resources and promote resource conservation and recovery where LGUs are deemed responsible for the implementation of the law. The municipality-wide utilization of the CFBW under the supervision of the DA-BSWM which will be monitored by the LGUsi s expected to help farmers and communities improve garbage disposal via proper segregation of wastes, and also promote sustainable agriculture while producing safer food.

"This is a continuing activity of BSWM and DA-Regional Field Offices to strengthen the institutional capacity of LGUs, farmers' organizations and all stakeholders to promote and promulgate organic agriculture throughout the country," Tejada concluded. (Loraine Cerillo, BSWM)

Reference: Dir. Silvino Tejada BSWM Executive Director Contact No.02-9230462

http://www.da.gov.ph/index.php/media-resources/news-release/2016-news-release/7144-da-bswm-awards-composting-facilities-to-bataan-farmers-groups

http://bswm.da.gov.ph/news/0039/composting-facilities-to-boost-sustainable-agriculture

Tuesday, February 23, 2016 Agriculture, Composting, DA News, LGU News, News, Organic

2nd National Organic Agriculture Scientific Conference 2016

2nd National Organic Agriculture Scientific Conference 2016

THE 2nd National Organic Agriculture Scientific Conference will be held on Feb. 16-20, 2016 at the Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte.

The event is under the auspices of the Organic Agriculture Society of the Philippines (OASP) headed by Arsenio “Toto” Barcelona of Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, a distributor of various agricultural products that include seeds, drip irrigation systems, farm machinery, organic pest control products, plastic products and more.

The association membership consists of scientists from state colleges and universities, students, researchers, organic farmers, inputs suppliers, traders and other stakeholders.

A total of 200 to 300 participants are expected to attend the conference at VSU. Speakers will tackle various aspects of organic agriculture.The first Organic Agriculture Scientific Journal will be launched published by OASP together with Benguet State University. The Young Organic Farmers Club will also be launched with Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat as guest of honor.

In charge of the OASP Secretariat is Dr. Francisco Gabunada who could be contacted at 0905-913-2929. VSU President Jose L. Bacusmo can also be contacted at 0917-310-8076.

Tuesday, February 02, 2016 Agriculture, Events-Conferences, Events-Educational, Organic, Technology

Organic Vegetable Training Class 01-16 Launched in Sagay City

Organic Vegetable Training Class 01-16 Launched in Sagay City

More than 200 farmers belonging to the Organic Vegetable Production Training Class 01-16 attended the official launching of their three-month training in Sagay City, Last January 26, 2016.

The participants are marginal farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, and former rebels from the cities of Sagay, Cadiz and Escalante, and Municipality of Manapla.

The program is being implemented by the Provincial Government through the Provincial Peace, Integration and Development Unit (Pro-PIDU) headed by Negros Occ. Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator and Pro-PIDU Action Officer, Dr. Ma. Lina P. Sanogal, and the 303rd Infantry Brigade and 62nd Infantry Brigade.

Sanogal said that the main purpose of the program is to alleviate poverty, advocate organic farming, and promote lasting peace particularly in far-flung areas of Negros Occidental.

The organic vegetable production Demo Farm, located at Herbal Garden, will serve as training venue to teach farmers on the proper way to grow organic vegetables.

Sagay City Mayor Thirdy Marañon said that the said training will pave the way for the Negrenses to become suppliers of organic products, considering that there is an increasing demand of organic food worldwide.

Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon said that the farmers will also be trained on how to make organic fertilizers to augment their production. He added that this there is big money in organic farming while at the same time it is good for people who are health conscious because organic vegetables are free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. /Capitol News

Source: http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/current-events/press-release/capitol-news/organic-vegetable-training-class-01-16-launched-in-sagay-city.html

Thursday, January 28, 2016 Agriculture, Events, LGU News, News, Organic, Technology

Attain a Yield of 170 cavans per Hectare!

Attain a Yield of 170 cavans per Hectare!

 Aringay, La Union farmer Federico Rullamas efforts yielded him 170 cavans of high-value organic red rice per hectare. He was awarded the “Highest Yielder of Naturally Grown Organic Rice Farming”  for 2015.

Rullamas used a new method of growing rice called the system of rice intensification (SRI), which involves a simple set of rice management practices that farmers can easily learn in one season. He also supplemented SRI with composted chicken manure plus home-made organic sprays which he learned from SRI Pilipinas trainer Venancio Garde Jr.

Rullamas employed a new method called System of Rice Intensification (SRI) wherein farmers can easily learn simple sets rice management practices within one planting season. SRI is also combined with composts from chicken manure and organic sprays produced in their own homes as instructed by SRI Pilipinas trainer Venancio Garde, Jr.

Garde calls his original formulation the “soil nutrient enhancer” but adds that this is no secret and that it can be learned for free via text to SRI Pilipinas Hotline (0939-1178999).

In a training jointly sponsored by the LGU of Aringay, La Union and SRI Pilipinas, farmers like Rullamas learned of the new method in boosting rice yields. The Dangunniang Bayan of Aringay budgeted Php300,000 annually for the conduct of SRI training among the farmers in its locality and more than 100 farmers have already become beneficiaries of the training.

The method involves planting 12 day old seedlings singly, at a distance of 12 inches. Alternate wetting and drying and the utilization of mechanical weeders to control weed infestation.

This resulted in the 170 cavans per hectare compared to the national average of 80 cavans per hectare. The use of non-fossil based chemical fertilizers reduces significantly carbon dioxide emissions and that by drying the rice field regularly minimizes methane emissions.

SRI is also considered climate-resilient, because the resulting rice plants are also sturdier, deeper-rooted, and therefore less vulnerable to droughts, floods and high winds.

(For details, contact Mr. Mangaoang at 0920-8788979 or Roberto Verzola, 0917-8117747)

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/205076/climate-friendly-rice-growing-method-yields-more#ixzz3wWOLdlWw

Thursday, January 07, 2016 Agriculture, Organic, Technology, Technology-Implements

Growth Industry: Philippine Native Pig Raising and Breeding

Growth Industry: Philippine Native Pig Raising and Breeding

The Native Pig Industry Association of the Philippines is going full blast towards 2016. During their seminar on Effective Management for native pig breeding and raising held at the Quezon Memorial Circle last November 28, 2015, Mr. Ferds S. Medina welcomed new members of the industry association and conducted a seminar on native hog raising.

The topics included were native hog identification and physical characteristics, economic outlook on the native pig industry and tips on feeding, weaning, proper housing, health maintenance and even marketing.

The seminar also put emphasis on feeding and weaning of native piglets. The right mixture of organic and inorganic feeds was discussed at length by Mr. Medina. The need to give the native pigs access to ranging areas so that they could avail themselves on organic food.  Included in the presentation were local food sources and the kind of feeds that are ideal for native hogs.

The selection of native pigs based on proper physical characteristics were discussed as well and an important section on the health maintenance of the hogs. Common diseases were featured and the necessary steps in managing the health of the animals.

Another subject that generated interest was the EcoPig Landless Farming Program. This program allows those who do not have farmlands or a piggery compound to engage in the raising and breeding of native pigs thus generating revenues from their investment. This was crafted so as to take advantage of the potentials of the native pig industry.

The advantages of raising and breeding native pigs is that it is highly sought for the lechon industry, high value meat, adapted to native conditions, economic advantages, relatively healthy (its cholesterol content is less than the commercial breeds) and it is “organic” in nature.

The target market includes:

Lechon industry
Breeders
Medical Research

Its meet products can be made into:

Longganisa
Bagnet
Bacon
Tapa
Etag
Organic Pork Meat 

Tuesday, December 01, 2015 Agriculture, Native Pigs, Organic, Piggery

Not Your Usual Vegetables at the Negros Showroom Market

Not Your Usual Vegetables at the Negros Showroom Market

On Tuesdays and Fridays, a farmers' market occupies the parking space at the Negros Showroom on Lacson Street. Early morning joggers, and the meticulous, health-conscious set make a stop here, and office people find this a convenient, welcome addition to an urban commercial strip.

The farmers themselves bring and sell their fruits and vegetables in this space. From farms in San Carlos City and Barangay Patag, Silay, these crops are transported in protective crates, not sacks, as a rule. Another rule is that only potable water should be used in the final wash of the produce. These rules are just part of the major reason why these fruits and vegetables are not the usual. The fruits and vegetables available at the Negros Showroom farmers' market are GAP-certified.

GAP stands for “Good Agricultural Practices,” the certification of which is issued by the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS).

The Philippine GAP certification, adopted from the ASEAN and the global GAP, is an export requirement. Therefore, the produce at the Negros Showroom farmers' market are export quality.

A hallmark of a farm that is GAP-certified is its traceability. In the Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, “traceability is the ability to follow the movement of produce through specified stages of production and distribution.”

Traceability means that one is able to identify the source of a crop, the conditions--whether of soil, water, weather, or farmer--with which it was planted, grown and picked, and even the farm inputs administered on it. Farm lots are properly coded, mapped, and fenced, water is analyzed for cleanliness, and fertilizers and pesticides are kept at the safest levels. All these agricultural activities and information are duly recorded and maintained for two years.

Good Agricultural Practices strictly uphold food safety, environmental protection, and worker's health, but if issues on these arise, traceability ensures that things can be tracked, addressed and corrected.

From planting, to harvesting, to selling, traceability gives vegetables a history that confidently deals with questions like, how far back into the chain can you claim that a product is “safe”, “fresh”, “clean”, “chemical-free”, and “fair trade”?

Indeed, these fruits and vegetables sold at competitive prices at the Negros Showroom farmers' market are not the usual; not the usual because these are unlike most of the crops in the local market that fall below food safety standards.

In the Philippines, only 39 farms are GAP-certified. Three (3) of these are farmers' organizations are in Negros. The members of these are mostly agrarian reform beneficiaries. They were all trained in GAP, qualified, and are continuously updated and linked to market.

A program called OURFood, or “Optimizing and Upscaling Roles in the Food Supply Chain” of the AFOS Foundation from Germany guides them in GAP. Its local partner is the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) which runs the Negros Showroom.

Thursday, November 26, 2015 LGU, LGU News, Organic

Margarita Fores discusses the “The Philippines' Ark of Tastes” at Slow Food Summit in Negros

Margarita Fores discusses the “The Philippines' Ark of Tastes” at Slow Food Summit in Negros

BACOLOD, Philippines - The Third Speaker at the Slow Food Summit is famous for her expert hand at modern Itialian Cooking that gave the public Cibo, Lusso and Grace Park.Her talk is entitled,  “THE PHILIPPINES’ ARK OF TASTES”.  The Slow Food Negros Island Summit, one of the projects of the Slow Food movement which draws attention to endangered food products in the country, on November 27, 11:00 AM at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol, Bacolod City.

At the Slow Food Negros Island Summit, chefs, farmers, slow food advocates—even converts—will unite to give interesting insights on the most pressing issues about food, our food systems, and the way we eat.  

At the summit, an introduction to Slow Food will be made by Pacita Juan, Reena Gamboa-Peña, Mia Gonzaga and Dr. Anabel Villanueva at 8 to 9 a.m. of November 27.

Ige Ramos will speak on “Tuklasin ang Katutubong Kulinaryo ng Pilipinas (discover Filipino dishes) at 9 a.m., and Nico Aberasturi -Homesteading Growing Food Instead of Lawns at 10 a.m., Villanueva said.

Margarita Fores will discuss the “The Philippines' Ark of Tastes” at 11 a.m., Hindy Weber Tantoco and Melanie Go – The Holistic Life at 1:30 p.m., Amy Besa – Green is Gold in Negros at 3 p.m. 

A Slow Food tasting by the Slow Food Negros Island Convivium will be held at noon.

Slow Food Negros Island is a group of volunteers dedicated in saving endangered food, celebrating gastronomic traditions, promoting good, clean, and fair food, as well as building a healthy relationship among producers, chefs, and consumers.

Slow Food is a global, grassroots movement founded in 1989 by Carlo Petrini and a group of passionate individuals. It started when an international fast food franchise expressed its interest in opening a branch at the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy. The citizens protested by sharing a big bowl of penne pasta with the crowds and began chanting “we don’t want fast food, we want slow food.” Perhaps it was the first time that it was officially coined, the tedious processes of producing and preparing various ingredients for select dishes like cheese, wine, fish, meat, as well as the traditional cooking methods have always been practiced in different parts of the world. After that incident in the ‘80s, what started as a protest to fast food grew to a global movement active in over 100 countries.

Thursday, November 26, 2015 Events, Events-Conferences, Events-Educational, Organic

Making Agriculture Smart and Sexy

Making Agriculture Smart and Sexy

Social Entrepreneur Cherrie Atilano

BACOLOD, Philippines - A 28-year-old Negrense social entrepreneur, agriculturist and farmer, will talk about making agriculture smart and sexy at the eighth installation of Organic Market at The Slow Food Negros Island Summit happening on November 27 at the Social Hall of the Capitol Building in this city.

Cherrie Atilano, who grew up in Silay City in this island was a scholar of the Provincial Capitol under the Pagkaon Scholarship Program, will talk on "Making Agriculture Smart and Sexy" on Friday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Atilano graduated magna cum laude from the Visayas State University with a degree on agriculture. She is a founder of AGREA Agricultural Systems International, and a consultant of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

She has worked at the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation as executive assistant of its founder, Antonio Meloto, and at Ayala Land Inc. as landscape horticulturist supervisor and head of Land Development.

At the Slow Food Negros Island Summit, chefs, farmers, slow food advocates—even converts—will unite to give interesting insights on the most pressing issues about food, our food systems, and the way we eat.  

At the summit, an introduction to Slow Food will be made by Pacita Juan, Reena Gamboa-Peña, Mia Gonzaga and Dr. Anabel Villanueva at 8 to 9 a.m. of November 27.

Ige Ramos will speak on “Tuklasin ang Katutubong Kulinaryo ng Pilipinas (discover Filipino dishes) at 9 a.m., and Nico Aberasturi -Homesteading Growing Food Instead of Lawns at 10 a.m., Villanueva said.

Margarita Fores will discuss the “The Philippines' Ark of Tastes” at 11 a.m., Hindy Weber Tantoco and Melanie Go – The Holistic Life at 1:30 p.m., Amy Besa – Green is Gold in Negros at 3 p.m. 

A Slow Food tasting by the Slow Food Negros Island Convivium will be held at noon.

Slow Food Negros Island is a group of volunteers dedicated in saving endangered food, celebrating gastronomic traditions, promoting good, clean, and fair food, as well as building a healthy relationship among producers, chefs, and consumers.

Slow Food is a global, grassroots movement founded in 1989 by Carlo Petrini and a group of passionate individuals. It started when an international fast food franchise expressed its interest in opening a branch at the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy. The citizens protested by sharing a big bowl of penne pasta with the crowds and began chanting “we don’t want fast food, we want slow food.” Perhaps it was the first time that it was officially coined, the tedious processes of producing and preparing various ingredients for select dishes like cheese, wine, fish, meat, as well as the traditional cooking methods have always been practiced in different parts of the world. After that incident in the ‘80s, what started as a protest to fast food grew to a global movement active in over 100 countries.

Sunday, November 22, 2015 DA News, Events, Events-Conferences, Events-Educational, News, Organic, Slow Food