Agriculture.ph Blog

The issue of using Manila as brand name of Mexican mangoes got some Filipinos angry including me because for one, it was an advantage for Mexico because for a while Filipinos in the US thought that Manila Mangoes from Mexico were Carabao mangoes, so it was misleading. But before we get upset or angry with the so called Manila Mangoes, lets do some researching so that we could understand the issue of a possible trademark infringements that Mexico can get from us from WIPO.

First, they say that Carabao mangoes were brought by Spaniards in Mexico in the Galleon Trade era where in Spaniards were bringing goods from Mexico in the Philippines and vice versa. So with that, Spaniards brought fruits and seeds of possible Carabao mango strain. But are we sure that they are all Carabao Mango strains? Sources say that the so called Manila Mangoes are not of the Carabao mango strain but probably of the Piko mango strain which are very sweet and with some little fiber.

In Mexico some of the mango varieties are Ataulfo (name of the person who planted the so called Manila Mango) in Chiapas, Mexico that came from Vera Cruz, Mexico then are branded as Honey or Champagne mango and they also grow the infamous Tommy Atkins, a not so good mango variety but due to its good production, its good for commercial mango variety and for export since other countries that don’t grow mangoes really don’t have any idea what really a good tasting mango is. And in mango growing countries, mango has an acquired taste meaning they have there own taste preference according to there origin. I cannot call it Mango Pride but more of an acquired taste.

So after Senor Ataulfo grew mangoes from Chiapas from Vera Cruz, it is now the standard commercial mango variety along with other imported varieties. So, if you’re going to look at it, the mangoes from Philippines probably where planted in Vera Cruz then planted in Chiapas. So to conclude, the mangoes from Mexico that came possible from the Philippines were either Carabao mangoes or Piko but maybe a hybrid or a variation of both varieties. In my opinion, the mangoes that were brought in Mexico are probably of the Piko variety because from descriptions, Manila Mangoes are sickly sweet meaning very sweet which a Piko mango is also.

So, we conclude that the Manila Mangoes of Mexico are not Carabao Mangoes maybe. So why must we react on the Manila Mango issue with Mexico? We should react because Mexico can be penalized for trademark infringements for misleading a product. If you don’t know our official brand name of our Carabao mango in the international market is Manila Super Mango and it is in my knowledge that we have a trademark for this brand name in Intellectual property rights organizations. So, if you have a trademark filed internationally, you can file trademark infringement for using the Manila and for misleading consumers especially Filipino in other countries which could have damaging effects for our exporters and growers. So, in the end, we are not fighting who has the best tasting mangoes in the world but we are fighting for intellectual property rights, we first used and own the Manila domain name, so it is right that we are the only one to use it in terms of branding our mango fruits to keep up the quality and consistency of our Carabao mangoes in the world in terms of that it came really from the Philippines. Agricultural Politics at its best.

In the video, the guy is explaining that the Mexican mangoes are not Manila Mangoes or what he means that they were not grown in the Philippines. And he maybe is right that the Mexican mangoes or Ataulfo mangoes are hybrids or variations of mangoes brought in by the Spaniards in the Galleon Trade centuries ago.

So the question now Is Manila Mango of Mexico, a Carabao Mango Variety? No, it is not, maybe its a hybrid or new variation of mango variety that came from the Philippines.  But Mexico should use there own mango brand like Ataulfo and not use Manila because they want to penetrate Filipino market in the west coast of USA like California.  In using Manila Mango, they don’t have any explanation yet.  Looking at the bright side, pirating a brand name is a form of complement which means that our Carabao mango really is one of the best tasting mangoes.

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUjDKMp27Lo

Davao is known for its Durian fruits. And when we went to Mindanao for an Agricultural Tour, our last stop was in Davao. And being in Davao, my colleagues where asking to pass by a Durian stall in downtown Davao where we stayed in a small hotel. Walking in the streets of Davao, we saw some Durian stalls selling different varieties of Durian like Chanee, Umali, Arancillo, Puyat and some native varieties which where in demand from the Davao natives. It was an experience for me as I bought the Puyat variety and my friends bought other varieties to taste all the varieties. Different varieties means different taste preferences for my friends especially the Durian connoisseurs who really know a good Durian. For the Durian connoisseurs, the biitter tasting durian with a hint of coffee taste is what makes a good Durian. But for me, I cant bare the taste of it. I like the Durian taste that has the sweet and coffee tasting variety like Galang 69, Alcon Fancy, Chanee and Kob which I tasted in Mr. Roger Rivera farm in South Cotabato. Kob for me is probably the best Durian variety.

But some prefer the native Durian that were harvested in seedling trees which probably have more aromatic smell and bitter tasting taste. To top it all, eating Durian in the side streets of downtown Davao will not be complete without a refreshing softdrink called Coke. After eating Durian, we drank Coke softdrinks and it was probably a custom for all sidewalk Durian eaters to drink it after eating the king of all fruits. I recommend eating Durian in downtown Davao and is a must if you want to experience what Davao is all about. The video is sample of a Durian fruit vendor in Davao. Durian fruits are cheaper in the street vendors and can command for about P50 per kilo which more cheaper than in high end groceries and supermarkets and probably are unknown varieties. For some Durian experts the reason why we have a hard time to exporting Durian in different countries is because of a standard variety should be planted and promoted. Right now, Durian growers are planting different Durian varieties thus limiting the the consistency of right commercial Durian variety. I hope we should look at this issue and do make necessary solutions to it. So visit Wow Davao now!

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggmSQlOzsfs

This video segment is about making Carbonize Rice Hull (CRH). Finally, Pinoy farmers will have an easy time how to make this soil amendment and potting medium. CRH has been used before by Japan as soil medium for there urban gardening project. Its light and its free from soil borne disease that could damage plants as compared to natural soil which is contrast heavy and may contain may soil borne disease that can affect the growth of plants. When I was still in college, I think CRH was in demand in Japan that some CRH producers in Nueva Ecija exported tons of CRH in Japan. This trend was due to the promotion of urban gardening in Japan especially in Tokyo where residence in high rise condominium plant flowers and vegetables in there balcony using CRH. CRH was promoted by Philrice in Nueva Ecija. I bought my carbonizer there 3 years ago. I wont go to details why CRH is important to horticulure and agriculture industry but its simply a soil amendment, in short it improves the soil porosity and gives nutrients to the soil especially potassium but its not an alternative fertilizer. I will give my experience in using the carbonzier and CRH.

1. Since I am located in an urban area, making CRH is limited. As we all know burning and smoke emissions are prohibited in urban areas by DENR. So it is feasible to produce CRH in remote farms where Rice Hull in found abundantly thus why Palay farmers in Nueva Ecija are major producers of CRH in the Philippines where the province is considered the rice capital.

2. Being a soil less and potting medium for plants, it is used now by most landscapers especially in Luzon, where it is now in demand. In fact if I am not mistaken a truck load of CRH will cost you P1,500 to P2,000 per delivery.

3. It is used as inoculation substrate for Bokashi making for effective microorganisms.

4. Used as filter for water in remote areas.

There are so many uses of CRH, its up to you how to use it. But for me, the most important thing to remember is that CRH is a by product of Rice Hull which is considered a waste for Rice Millers throughout the Philippines. So from trash to cash, it is now one of the most useful by products of rice producers and probably will be a product that will have more usefulness in the future as researchers are learning more on this in application to agriculture and other industries.

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYbFMy7uduI

Source: www.openacademy.ph

Finally, someone uploaded how to make rice hull carbonizer or carbonizer as they call it in video form. Kudos to the organization who made this video possible. I bought my carbonizer 3 years ago from Philrice in Nueva Ecija. As we all know Carbonizer is the apparatus to make Carbonize Rice Hull or CRH in short. CRH is used for soil amendment and ingredient for bio-organic fertilizer like bokashi and many more.

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw3fQGZNRb0

Source: www.openacademy.ph

Carbonized rice hull conditions soil, improves yield

Rice hull or Ipa for CRH Production

In the country, 2.5 million tons of rice hull that accumulate from the milling of 13 million tons of palay are just thrown or burned. However, this “waste material” can be converted into a soil conditioner and bioorganic fertilizer called carbonized rice hull (CRH).

A hydrophilic material made from the incomplete or partial burning of rice hull, CRH contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and other microelements needed for growing crops like garlic.

As soil conditioner, CRH helps replenish air and enhances water retention in the soil. Because of the heat it undergoes, it is sterile and thus, free from pathogens. As such, it makes an excellent host for beneficial microorganisms and an ingredient for bioorganic fertilizer.

Three to nine tons per hectare of CRH in the soil can be applied to growing garlic after sowing. Place a thin sheet of rice straw mulch, then irrigate at 10 days interval for 30 days and every 15 days thereafter until 75 days after planting.

In a report submitted to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), researchers from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) led by Noel D. Ganotisi, said that the use of CRH improved soil moisture and garlic yields.

Before the scheduled irrigation of garlic, higher soil moisture content was observed in plots applied with six and nine tons per hectare of CRH. The same amount of CRH produced high yields of 3.62 and 3.46 tons per hectare, although these yields were comparable to that obtained from plots applied with three tons per hectare of CRH.

Steps in making CRH

1. In a dry and level area, make a fire and cover it with an open type carbonizer.
2. Put 12 to 14 sacks of rice hull around the carbonizer until the mound reaches the chimney at about 1 meter high.
3. After 20 to 30 minutes, use a long-handled shovel to over turn the mound and move the rice hull from below to the top of the burning mound.
4. When the rice hulls turn black, sprinkle with water to extinguish the fire. Do not over burn the rice hull as it will turn into ash.
5. Cool the freshly made CRH, then place in a bag, seal and stock in a safe and dry place.

Written by: By Ofelia F. Domingo,Science Research Specialist II, PCARRD

Source: www.stii.dost.gov.ph

“As the bananas are mainly tall, upright, and fairly sturdy, they are often mistaken for trees, when the truth is the main or upright stem is called a pseudostem, literally meaning “fake stem“, which for some species can obtain a height of up to 2–8 m, with leaves of up to 3.5 m in length. Each pseudostem can produce a bunch of yellow, green, or even red bananas before dying and being replaced by another pseudostem.” – according to Wikipedia.org

My Reaction:

“So there you go, in the horticultural world, bananas are called pseudostem and not trees.  But because such word is very technical for most of us regular farmers, we tend to call Bananas, trees.  But for me the safest way is to call them Banana plants. ”

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_85YZbn3asw

This video about growing and taking care of Banana by Dole. It is very helpful especially for small and big scale Banana farmers.  Though the video was made in South America in one of of Doles Banana plantation there, the information about growing Bananas is basically universal in terms of growing it in different countries.  Basically, the principle behind growing Bananas around the world is the same depending on the climate for pest and disease control preferences.  But drainage requirement is a must in any Banana farming venture to control soil borne diseases.  As I’ve seen kilometer wide Banana plantations in Mindanao, they have good drainage system.  Bagging of fruits is also a common practice for Banana farms everywhere especially for the export market.  Cultural management depends I guess on the variety of Bananas being grown.

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1DBQgAJTWg

Another deal between the Philippines and China has materialized, this time on the agricultural side, an envoy told The Manila Times. Frank Chua, Special Ambassador on Trade and Investments to China, said the Philippines has partnered with China in planting bananas to produce banana fiber for clothing.

The banana fiber will be used as threads in clothes, Chua said. We came up with this idea because it will maximize the resources since clothes can be used over and over.
Chua, however, declined to reveal further details on the deal but noted that a project on planting medicinal plants is also being eyed. At present, banana trees in the Philippines are primarily grown for its fruit, of which large volumes are exported to countries like Japan and the United States.

The banana deal is the second project between two countries in a month, as its respective officials also signed a memorandum of understanding for a $150-million joint venture for nickel exploration and processing in Botolan, Zambales. That project can potentially generate $500 million in revenues.

President Gloria Arroyo witnessed the signing of the nickel deal during her three-day state visit in China, where she also attended the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The mining contract, however, drew flak from the Palaces critics since it was Mike Defensor, an administration senatorial bet who lost in the 2007 electionswho signed the agreement for the Philippine companies.

Source: www.yehey.com

My reaction:

“This is great news for the Philippine Banana Industry. Not only we will export banana fruits in China but also sell non-traditional products from Banana in one of the fastest growing economy in the world. Utilizing resources into money seems to be the trend right now in the global market as green technology and enterprise will become a billion dollar industry in coming years. As we know, we only utilize the fruits for consumption in the Philippines and some for culinary use like banana heart and leaves for cooking. From a favorite food concession of the Filipinos like SABA into Banana-Q then from exporting Cavendish Bananas from Mindanao to other countries and now using its fibers will give more profit from traders and most especially the growers themselves. No wonder why they want to revive Banana production in Luzon also. Banana is one of the top agricultural export commodity like Pineapple and Coconut in the Philippines, we should take the opportunity.”

A new technology called “Kukum Hot Air Dryer” that will reportedly improve the quality of copra will soon be adopted in Negros Oriental, through the Bacong Small Coconut Farmers Development Cooperative. The technology is under the Technical Related Trade Assistance of the National Economic Development Authority and the European Union.

The dryer was developed to improve the quality of copra and palm oil products of the country. With the technology, fresh copra will not be dried directly under fire, but only through hot air. In this process the dried copra produced will appear white and clean, unlike that processed through the traditional method where the copra turns deep brown.

BASCOFADCO general manager Valeriana Rocas said they use the dryer for demonstration facility of the farmers, who are interested in adopting the technology.
ocas added that the Kukom gives clean and white dried copra but the process is also very tedious and needs ample time.

A seminar-workshop will be held at BASCOFADCO Center in Bacong this week, to be participated in by members of the cooperative from Sibulan, Bayawan, and Siaton.
Meanwhile, Philippine Coconut Authority Negros Oriental manager, Brendan Trasmonte, said he is now trying to negotiate with Dumaguete Coconut Mills to increase the buying price of white copra.

At present, white and brown copra are bought at the same price at DUCOMI. Trasmonte said they hope that their request be granted, considering that the quality of oil from white copra is clearer and more saleable. The buying price of copra is now pegged at P16 per kilo, although this will be subject to fluctuation of prices of the oil milling companies, he added.

Source: www.visayandailystar.com

The Provincial Philippine Coconut Authority will receive next month another shipment of 20,000 coco seed nuts from the Zamboanga Research Center, provincial PCA manager Brendan Trasmonte said yesterday. The Plant Now Pay Later coconut program of Negros Oriental was put on hold because of the very limited availability of the seed nuts, Trasmonte said.

He added that other research centers in Cotabato and Bohol could not supply the bulk of the needs in the province. Trasmonte said they have a pending request for at least 180,000 coco seed nuts from individual farmers, who are willing to pay on cash basis. He said the province also ordered another shipment of at least 15,000 seed nuts, but it would still depend on the availability of supply from PCA Zamboanga Research Center.

Earlier, Rep. Henry Pryde Teves (Neg.Or., 3rd District) purchased 10,000 coco seed nuts through the Negros Island Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development. The seedlings were placed for germination at the NISARD Demo farm in Barangay San Antonio in Sibulan town. Another 13,000 seedlings were procured by the Bacong Small Coconut Farmers Development Cooperative, though a project funded by the Coconut Industry Investment Fund-Oil Mills Group.

BASCOFADCO is a prime cooperative in the province that has extended its membership. Its general manager, Valeriana Rocas, said there were several private coconut farmers who intend to buy coco seed nuts from their nursery, including some of politicians.
Rocas said their coco seedlings are intended only for coconut farmers who are active members. Based on the number of coco seed nuts procured by the NISARD and the BASCOFADCO, about 153.2 hectares of land area in the province will be replanted with coconuts.

Source: www.visayandailystar.com