Agriculture.ph Blog

A MANILA-based investor will be forging an agreement with the Mindanao Indigenous People’s Conference for Peace and Development (MIPCPD) for the production of castor beans.

The beans will be produced in a 1,000-hectare ancestral domain of the Mangguangan tribe in New Corella, Davao del Norte.

In an interview, Datu Angelito Omos Sr., development officer of the MIPCPD and leader of the Mangguangan tribe in New Corella, said Friday the memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be signed between the MIPCPD and the ABCD Matrix Corp. on Monday during the opening of the 3rd MIPCPD to be held at the Felis Resort in Davao City.

“We will be forging a joint venture agreement with the ABCD Matrix. We will provide the area, and they will take charge of the capital outlay,” Omos said.

He however failed to reveal as to how much investment the company will pour in.

Omos added that the income to be generated from the project will be divided equally by both the Mangguangan tribe and the ABCD Matrix.

“Part of the content of the MOA will include seven people from our tribe to also manage the operation in the plantation,” Omos said.

He further said that the project is one of the two projects recommended by the elders of the Mangguangan tribe to MIPCPD to be set up at the tribe’s ancestral domain.

“The elders of our tribe chose ABCD Matrix and mining company, the Houqiao Mining Corporation, to penetrate in our land. They are the companies which agreed to our conditions and we trust them,” Omos said.

One of the conditions that Omos is referring to is the percentage share they will be getting from the projects.

“The ABCD Matrix agreed to have a 50-50 share with us, while the Houqiao agreed that we will get 55 percent of the income, while they get 45 percent,” Omos disclosed.

Omos said Mangguangan tribe in New Corella has about 12,000 population living in a 10,000-hectare ancestral domain.

Based on the Alternative Field Crops Manual of the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, castor bean is a member of the spurge family.

Its seeds with hulls removed contain 35 to 55 percent oil.

Castor oil has been used by the military in aircraft lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and in the manufacture of explosives.

It has also been used in the synthesis of soaps, linoleum, printer’s ink, nylon, varnishes, enamels, paints, and electrical insulations.

Textile scientists have used sulphonated castor oil in the dyeing and finishing of fabrics and leather.

The most infamous application of castor oil may have been as a purgative popular for the treatment or prevention of many ailments in the first half of the twentieth century. (JGRS)

Written by: By Joy Romares-Sevilla

Source: www.sunstar.com.ph

KORONADAL CITY — A deadly pest occurring in lanzones trees has spread to two other towns in North Cotabato province.

Pepito S. Leyza, regional crop protection center head of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said the pests have spread from the towns of Magpet, Makilala and Kidapawan City to President Roxas and Kabacan, all in North Cotabato province.

What’s your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

Leyza said that by the middle of the year, the lanzones fruit could have already flooded the local markets in Central Mindanao region, but the infestation of mussel scale insects hardly made it visible in fruit stands.

In September last year, mussel scale insect (Lepidosaphes ulmi) infestation resulted in the losses of P5 million to lanzones growers in the town of Magpet alone.

The pests invaded at least 211,054 trees in 20 villages of Makilala, 15 in Magpet and 25 in Kidapawan.

“The pests, which are difficult to control, may now spread to the town of Arakan,” Leyza said.

To date, Leyza noted the pests have invaded 550,976 trees in North Cotabato, with the number of trees dying tripling to 106. No figure for the damage, however, was given.

Mussel scale insects attack the leaves of lanzones, eventually rendering the fruit with a sour taste.

The Kendall Bioresearch Services said mussel scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi) insects “attack many deciduous trees and shrubs, including apples and other fruit and ornamental trees. Infestations are most severe on older trees and may impair plant growth and vigor. Eggs are laid under the scales in late summer.”

Leysa said that treating the infected trees with chemicals — Malathion 5 EC and Actara 25 WG — have been ineffective.

Chemical spraying treatment was applied at weekly interval for three months, then two months bi-monthly application and once a month.

“Weekly spraying did not give in anyway positive results because of the defense mechanism [of the pests] characterized by the waxy substance which covers the body during molting of the nymphal stage,” Leysa said.

“Once the nymphs settled down, insecticide spraying is not effective [even] to female adults,” he added.

Trunk injection using Actara 25 WG was also resorted and gave a positive result in the five-month test period. Population of the pest was totally wiped out in two sites. However, climactic change occurred, resulting to high precipitation, thus refilling schedules were not followed including spraying, a regional crop protection report said.

“[Inclement weather] hindered all activities which contributed to the inconsistencies of scheduled activities. Translocation process in trunk injection has been affected resulting to the re-occurrence of the pest to trunk injected trees in almost all sites,” it added.

A team from the University of the Philippines-Los Banos headed by Jose R. Medina meantime recommended a natural tack to eradicate the infestation.

Medina said they look for bio-control agents in infested trees and found two species of beetles — the black and orange coccinellids — feeding on the pests.

Samples of black coccinellid were brought to UPLB for identification and it has a scientific name of Chilocoros nigrilus, a predator that is a very voracious feeder, Medina said.

Leyza said the regional crop protection center has adopted the natural approach by mass-producing the two beetle species at their laboratory in Tacurong City.

Reproduction of beetles involves using squash as medium and coconut scale insect (Aspidiotus destructor), as host of the predators.

Kidapawan City, one of the localities ravaged by the pest, has established a laboratory for the production of the beetles, Leyza noted.

He urged the Agriculture main office to provide funds for the setting up of more laboratories that would reproduce the beetles, which could easily multiply in a week to three weeks’ time.

Source: www.sunstar.com.ph

The Philippines’ Bureau of Plant Industry said the United States is looking for suppliers that could provide sufficient importations of mango fruit products. Dr Hernani Golez, BPI’s program coordinator, said the US market has opened its door for importations of mango products that will come from the Philippines. But mango products bound to the US are expected to pass a tight quality control, he said.

He said that BPI will conduct a series of survey in Zamboanga City and other areas in the southern Philippines which are known to produce mango products. “There will a series of consultations and seminar with the stake holders to educate them on the proper way of growing mango and modern techniques that will help them in their farm,” he said. Golez said the US market is very strict on the compliance of requirements that will commensurate with its high quality standards on food.

“One of the requirements is that the mango should be free from pests such as the so called seed and pulp weevils which are rampant in many mango farms in the country,” he said. Golez said these problems will be one of their concerns on the conduct of the survey.

To address the problems, Golez said the Department of Agriculture will adopt measures to ensure the quality of the fruit will pass the standards of the US market and to provide greater access for the country’s mango products.

Source: www.mindanaoexaminer.com

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo will lead the launching of the very first ecologically-designed and weather-proof economical bamboo house at the opening day of the National Bamboo Development Forum which runs from Oct. 22 to 24 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

The Bamboo House is structurally designed to suit the country’s tropical climate. Made primarily of versatile and sustainable building materials with very little or no other construction supplies, the Bamboo House will serve a model to be replicated in a conceptualized Bamboo Village for the economically-challenged.

The village will not only have houses made of bamboo, but will be complete with structures like school, market, and community center.

The First Gentleman, who initiated the study and evaluation of the potentials of “the lowly bamboo” some years back, had in mind the deprived members of the community. He envisioned presenting them a livable community making use of indigenous materials.

Planting bamboo, with parts – from root to tip – have about 1,500 productive uses, will also be part of the community interest and activity.

The NBDF, organized by Laguna Lake Development Authority, headed by general manager Edgardo C. Manda, in collaboration with other government, non-governmental organizations, the academe, research groups, and other stakeholders.

The forum, with the theme “Towards Sustainable Development of the Bamboo Industry in the Philippines for Environmental Protection & Livelihood Generation”, will feature emerging investment opportunities in the country.

This will serve as a venue for assessing the bamboo industry in the country, review the 1997 Philippine Bamboo Master Plan, and formulate a strategic action plan for its sustainable development in the Philippines.

Round-table discussions will be participated in by policy makers, industry leaders, students, entrepreneurs, government representatives, and members of the research and scientific community. There will also be trade fairs and exhibits.

For inquiries on the forum, call Lennie S. Borja, LLDA, Rizal Provincial Capitol Cmpd., Pasig City, (02)6377581 & 3001453, email red@llda.gov.ph; Dr. Ramon A. Razal, FFPS, UPLB-CFNR, (049)5363432 & 6411207, email ramoncfnr@yahoo.com, and Dr. Aida A. Lapis, ERDB, College, Laguna, (049) 5362509 & 9089743, email acbl2002@yahoo.com.

Source: www.philstar.com

The other day, an aspiring producer of high-value vegetables was telling us that he was reluctant to attend an intensive hands-on training course. His main reason was that the P7,000 fee was too much for him.

We assured him that the amount could easily be recovered with the technology he would be able to acquire. The know-how would be with him forever and he could also share it with members of his family and friends. He could even make money out of it by teaching others for a fee.

We have seen a lot of people making a lot of money from vegetables because they bothered to attend hands-on seminars and workshops. One very good example is Daisy Duran of Basuit, San Ildefonso, Bulacan. She attended seminars, paid as well as free, and the technology she learned has jumpstarted her successful production of seedlings as well as crops for the market. It also paved the way for her to become a successful assembler and trader of vegetables, supplying the Department of Agriculture’s “bagsakan” markets.

The right technology can minimize costly mistakes in farming. We have known so many aspiring gentleman farmers fail because they didn’t bother to acquire the right technology as well as agribusiness strategies before launching their projects.

One fellow we know failed in his first attempt at tilapia production. That’s because, right after returning from his overseas job, he immediately converted his one-hectare rice farm into a fishpond for growing tilapia. He just thought that by excavating the field and providing water, he could make a profitable operation raising tilapia. He confessed he almost lost all he had saved from his overseas job. The tilapia he stocked did not grow as expected because they were too crowded.

He only recovered his losses after bothering to attend a seminar on tilapia hatchery at the Central Luzon State University. He had realized that a grow-out operation on one hectare was too small and will not be able to support his family. After consultation with an expert, he was advised to study the basics of fingerling production. He did not only seriously study fingerling production, he also learned all he can about grow-out operation.

Today, he is a very successful tilapia hatchery operator. He is able to sell his fingerlings because he also helps his customers in their grow-out operation. In the end, he also became the marketer of the tilapia grown by his fingerling buyers. And that has been a most profitable operation for him. Really, so many good things can happen if one has the technology.

Written by: Zac B. Sarian

In these challenging times, what farmers need are bright ideas that could make production more efficient, more economical and more sustainable. One doable idea that a Los Baños graduate has suggested is the watering of mature coconuts with sea water.

He pointed out that the Philippine Coconut Authority has been promoting the fertilization of mature coconuts with at least two kilos of ordinary salt. This has been proven to increase yields as well as improve the quality of the coconut meat.

Our friend said that in places where it is possible to haul sea water for use in watering coconuts, it might be much more economical than applying salt. It could become a money-making business for some enterprising people who have transport facilities.

Another fellow has come up with a plan to produce tanglad (Cimbopogon citratus) in commercial scale not only for the traditional uses such as using in cooking lechon and in cooking soup dishes. Instead, he wants to really grow tanglad commercially for use as anti-cancer drink.

He thought of this idea after reading our item in this column whereby we cited the information related to us by Mrs. Nena Frondoso. She said she got the results of a research in Israel that tanglad is indeed anti-cancer. And she cited the case of a teacher in the school run by Mrs. Frondoso who had breast cancer. The teacher boiled a small bundle of leaves and petioles of tanglad and drank a glassful of the water every morning. In six months, Mrs. Frondoso reported, the cancer had vanished.

Another friend of ours in the free-range chicken business has come up with a bright idea. She vacuum-packs her dressed chickens, and since then she has been attracting a lot of customers, especially in the weekend market where she sells her product. Quality, she stresses, is what the upscale market is looking for.

Indeed, in these trying times, there are many opportunities to be made. One only has to have creative ideas.

Written by: By Zac B. Sarian

Annually, we throw away or burn 2.5 million (M) t of rice hull that accumulate from the milling of 13 M t of palay. 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 replenishes air and retains water 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.

Making CRH is easy. In a dry and level area, make a fire and cover it with an open type carbonizer. Put 12-14 sacks of rice hull around the carbonizer until the mound reaches the chimney at about 1 meter high. After 20-30 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. 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. Cool the freshly made CRH, then place in a bag, seal and stock in a safe and dry place.

In growing garlic, apply 3-9 t/ha of CRH in the soil after sowing, then place a thin layer of rice straw mulch. Irrigate at 10 days interval for 30 days and every 15 days thereafter until 75 days after planting.

In a report submitted to PCARRD, researchers from the Philippine Rice Research Institute 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 6 t/ha and 9 t/ha of CRH. The same amount of CRH produced high yields of 3.62 t/ha and 3.46 t/ha, although these yields were comparable to that obtained from plots applied with 3 t/ha of CRH.

Written by: Written by Ofelia F. Domingo, S&T Media Service

Source: www.dost.gov.ph

Every person has unique taste for food.   But when it comes to condiments, it’s almost always possible to find a kitchen with a collection of seasonings imported or local.   The Food Channel says more people have soy sauce in their kitchen than tea, coffee, milk, or salsa.

Soy sauce is the brown and salty extract of fermented mixture, made from soybeans, wheat, water and salt that is commonly used in Asian cuisine.

Soy sauce originated from China.  It is used in various cuisines across Asia and an especially important seasoning in Japanese cuisine.  But Chinese and Japanese soy sauces are substantially different, and it is rarely appropriate to substitute one for the other.

Chinese soy sauces are primarily made from soybean with relatively low amounts of other grains.  The Japanese soy sauce, or shoyu, is traditionally divided into five main categories, depending on differences in ingredients and methods of production.

Wheat is a primary ingredient in Japanese soy sauce.  This gives the Japanese varieties a slightly sweeter taste than Chinese soy sauces.

Filipino soy sauce, on the other hand, is patterned after the Japanese product counterpart.

But no matter where soy sauce is concocted, one solid fact remains this condiment is very high in sodium.   Both fish sauce or patis and soy sauce is very high in sodium.   Based on the Asean Food Composition Tables, one tablespoon or 15 ml of soy sauce, light, grade 1 contains 1,423 mg of sodium comparable to one tablespoon of fish sauce or patis which contains 1,394 mg of sodium.

The high sodium content makes soy sauces unsuitable condiment for people with kidney problems.  It should generally be taken in moderation.

Soy sauce also contains a small amount of naturally occurring monosodium glutamate or MSG.  However, soy sauce is also a good source of riboflavin, vitamin B6, magnesium, copper, protein, niacin, and phosphorus.

Soy sauce is nearly always present in many Filipinos’ daily meals as sawsawan and therefore it is a good vehicle for fortification.

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute, an agency of the Department of Science and Technology has developed a technology on the fortification of soy sauce with vitamin A, iron, and iodine.

The result of a study led by Dr. Mario V. Capanzana showed that iron and iodine are substantially retained in fortified soy sauce after one year of storage in glass and plastic bottles exposed under simulated market conditions.

A significant reduction in vitamin A content was noted in soy sauce kept in plastic and glass bottle and stored under similar conditions. The result of the study will serve as basis for large-scale production of fortified soy sauce and eventually for technology transfer to the food industry.

Source: www.stii.dost.gov.ph

Malunggay, known scientifically as Moringa oleifera Lamk, is one of the world’s most useful plants.  It is used as food, effective flocculant or water treatment, antibiotic, source of oil, and coagulant for turbid waters.

It is also called mother’s best friend, and miracle vegetable by many who know malunggay’s beneficial uses.  It is cultivated in all countries of the tropics.  It is easy to plant and is available year-round.

Malunggay’s image was even used as the official logo of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, an agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

One hundred grams or 1 cup of cooked malunggay leaves contain 3.1 g. protein, 0.6 g. fiber, 96 mg calcium, 29 mg phosphorus, 1.7 mg iron, 2,820 mg ß-carotene, 0.07 mg thiamin, 0.14 mg riboflavin, 1.1 mg niacin, and 53 mg ascorbic acid or vitamin C.  The antioxidant activity of malunggay is about 71%, with µ-tocopherol (vitamin E) equivalent of 45.

Malunggay leaves are an excellent source of vitamin A and B, and minerals such as calcium and iron.  It is even an excellent source of protein, being higher than the amino acid pattern of Food and Agriculture Organization-reference protein, yet contains very low fat and carbohydrates.  The leaves are incomparable as a source of the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine, often the natural minerals humans lack.

Due to its high vitamins A, C, and E, which are very potent antioxidants, malunggay is a very good quencher of unstable free radicals that can react with and damage molecules that cause aging.  Antioxidants reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.  They also prevent the onset of various chronic diseases like arthritis, cancer, and heart and kidney diseases.

Malunggay contains the phytochemical niaziminin, which is found to have molecular components that can prevent the development of cancer cells (Faizi et al., 1992) and correlated with inhibitory ability against superoxide generation.  The first naturally-occuring thiocarbamates, novel hypotensive agents niazinin A, niazinin B, niazimicin and niaziminin A and B were isolated from malunggay.

Malunggay is called ?miracle vegetable? because it is not just a food, it is also a medicine.  It may therefore be a ?functional food?.  Malunggay promotes good eyesight, digestion, facilitates bowel movement, and is a cure for stomach ache.

It is also used to cleanse wounds and ulcers.  It helps alleviate scurvy, asthma, earache, and headaches.  For its high calcium content, lactating mothers are advised to eat malunggay leaves to produce more milk.

Malunggay is usually cooked with chicken as tinola, or with fish and other vegetables, mongo soup dishes, and blanched as salads.

How to grow Malunggay or Moringa – > http://www.agripinoy.net/growing-malunggay-or-moringa.html

Written by: By Dr. Lydia M. Marero of Food and Nutrition Research Institute

[For more information on food and nutrition, you may write or call The Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila, Tel/Fax: 8372934, 8373164; E-mail: cvcb@fnri.dost.gov.ph; FNRI-DOST website: http//www.fnri@dost.gov.ph]

VENUE – HARBEST AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION CENTER
Highway near Tarlac-Pangasinan boundary. Carmen, Municipality of Rosales, Pangasinan

OBJECTIVE

To provide hands-on experience on actual field practices for adapted technology from Taiwan for the commercial production of selected vegetables using F1-HYBRID varieties. This simple and doable technology has been proven effective in more than fifty techno-demo and training farm projects completed all over the Philippines in the past five years.

To train prospective trainors among the agricultural technicians and farmer leaders on this technology and to make them capable of providing this technology to their area of influence.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Speaker –Demy , Patrick and Vani {Day 1(Monday)}

Introduction to the HARBEST AGRITECH Training Program

Schedule of training, policies, rules and regulation, objective of the program

Planning, site selection, crop selection

Proper site development – land preparation

Soil analysis – soil types, soil conditioning, soil testing

Crops and varieties – the F1-hybrid advantage

Determining seed quality, proper handling and use of seeds

Seedling technique, use of seedling nursery, seedling tray, pre-germination,

GROWELL seedling medium, nursery management

Field practice – use of pH and moisture meter, NPK test kit, seed sowing

Speaker – Patrick, Vani, Raffy and Demy {Day 2 (Tuesday)}

Lay-outing, bed formation, basal fertilization

Bed-making – use of plastic mulch, planting distance, hole-making

Transplanting and direct-seeding practices

Cultural management of new transplants, vegetative stage

Field practice – lay-outing, basal application, bed making, plastic mulching , hole-making, Transplanting

Speaker— Mark, Demy and Patrick {Day 3 (Wednesday)}

Pruning – theory and practice of different crops

Plant nutrition, fertilizer application practices – drenching, side dressing, top dressing, foliar

Clean vegetable farming practices – organic sources of nutrients

Cultural management for vine crops – vine training, vine trimming, pollination

Trellising – types of trellis materials, use of culture nets, construction of trellis

Field practice – fertilizer applications, vine training,

vine trimming, pollination, trellising, pruning of selected crops

Speaker – Demy and Patrick {Day 4 (Thursday)}

Irrigation and irrigation systems

Designing and constructing irrigation system

Water Management – irrigation theory and practice, importance of water in plant nutrition

Water sources, tapping water sources, economical use of water, Perforain

Irrigation system. Drip irrigation system, proper drainage and flood control

Farmers Field Visit

Speaker — Patrick, Raffy and Demy {Day 5 (Friday)}

Plasticulture – use of tunnel-type greenhouse system and Maligaya greenhouse

Pests and diseases, organic and chemical-based pesticides, fungicides and soil Conditioners

Weeds and their control, use of plastic mulching film

Crop monitoring

Field practice – identification of pests and diseases, set up of perforain system, irrigation practices,

Field Practice – Patrick, Raffy, Conrad, Vani and Jr

Speaker – Demy, Patrick and Vani {Day 6 (Saturday)}

Harvesting and post-harvest handling.

Market promotion and development, pricing. Marketing outlets.

Cost and Return Analysis

Graduation ceremony

Field trip may be organized when time permits. Above schedule is subject to change when necessary.

Board and lodging shall be provided at the training center. FARM CONDITION. Accommodation will be four persons sharing one room. Two persons per bed in a prefab nipa hut. Pillows, mat, blanket and mosquito net shall be provided. Two electric fans per room.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner with two snacks shall be provided. Food will be normal farm cooking. A caterer will prepare the meals during the duration of the training program.

TRAINING FEE

Daily briefing, hands-on training on field, hand-outs

Includes board and lodging and food per participant P 7,900.00/ person

Note: A NON-REFUNDABLE RESERVATION FEE OF P 1,000 PER PERSON WILL BE COLLECTED PER PARTICIPANT. If you want to have single bed per person, you may add P1,200.00 (P200 per day). Please contact Mr. Toto Barcelona, Cell No.: 0917-5203260. Tel 671-7411 to 14. Harbest main office.

Fees can be deposited to the following account:

HARBEST AGRIBUSINESS CORPORATION
Savings Account No. 3-06250338-7
METROBANK Shaw Boulevard Branch, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Please text your name and amount when deposit is made to Cell No. 0917-8173034, Janet, and indicate ATTP .

All transportation expenses to and from HATDPC shall be borne by the participants.

Before the first training day Sunday 5:00pm. Dinner will be served. Please advise Mrs. Janet Serdan Cell No. 0917-8173034 if you are checking in on evening not later than Sunday 3pm.

Training fee should be paid before the start of the program. The balance may be paid in full on the day of registration; 8:00am. All participants are expected to attend all sessions. No refund will be made after the start of the sessions.

HARBEST CONTACT INFORMATION

1. HARBEST AGRIBUSINESS CORPORATION
3F ITX BUILDING, No. 5 Rosemarie Lane, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Metro Manila
Tel. No. (02)6717411 to 14 Fax No. (02)6712232 hotline : 0917-5203260
email: harbest@harbest.com
Please look for Mr. Albert Serquiña
2. HARBEST AGRIBUSINESS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION CENTER
Carmen, Rosales, Pangasinan (near the boundary of Tarlac and Pangasinan, along the highway)
Ms. Venus Monta – Cell No. 0917-8173034 Mr. Demetrio Esmatao – Cell No. 0917-345837

Source: www.harbest.com.ph