Agriculture.ph Blog

First fishing competition successful

EIGHTY-ONE individuals have competed Saturday in the first ever held fishing competition in Zamboanga City.

The competition dubbed “Pesca kita (Let’s fish),” was held at the Paseo del Mar, the latest tourist attraction of the city.

The four-hour competition, which started at 6 a.m. until 10 a.m., is an added attraction of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2009.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said the competition was conceptualized because of the establishment of Paseo del Mar, which since its opening last July 10 has been the favorite “fishing site” of local fishing enthusiasts.

The competition has two categories: on shore and off shore.

The winners in the on shore category are: Biggest fish caught by weight-Antonio Sr.; Alfred Ternasa, most number of fish caught; Ricardo Ladores, biggest total fish caught by weight; and, Roland Limen received a special Award for the first catch.

For the off shore category are: Sahirul Ganzon, bigged fish caught by weight; Roel Esperat, biggest total fish caught by weight; Alexander Reyes, most number of fish caught; and, special award for the first catch was received by Sahirul Ganzon.

Lobregat is planning to conduct such competition twice a year as Saturday’s event was successful.

One of the competitions could be held during summer and the second during Fiesta Pilar, Lobregat said.

The fishing competition was initiated by the Tourism Association of Zamboanga (TBA) headed Vicente Lim, in coordination with Mayor Lobregat, Z.C. Tourism Press Corps, Si Zamboanga under Ric San Juan, SOPHIL, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatics Resources (BFAR).

The sponsors for the event were Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Mega Sardines and Unico.

Lobregat expressed delight that Mother Nature cooperated, paving the way for an uninterrupted competition. (Bong Garcia)

Source: Sun Star

Agrilink is coming!

The most awaited agricultural trade show is just around the corner. So make sure you will be around when it comes. We are referring to Agrilink 2009 which will be staged at the World Trade Center-Metro Manila on October 8 to 10. There’s no reason for you to miss this event. It is open free to the public, including the various seminars.

Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink is one place where the latest ideas, products and services are showcased. It is also one place where one can meet new friends, acquaintances of old as well as long lost relatives. For those who are looking for old as well as new issues of Agriculture Magazine, they will be available (the old ones) at a big discount. Look for the Manila Bulletin booth.

If you are interested in tasting the best durian, our friend Larry Miculob of Davao has assured us that he will make available different varieties including Puyat, Monthong, Arancillo and perhaps what he calls Schwarzkoff..

In the outdoor exhibit area, Dr. Rey Itchon and Sandy of Solraya will be putting up a showcase of a backyard free-range Sunshine Chicken project. This will be next to the booth of Teresa Orchard & Nursery which will showcase its latest exotic fruit trees.

Our friend Jose Abellar whose specialty is poultry equipment will showcase his Atras-Avante feed dispenser which is also used for gathering the daily egg production. Another interesting equipment is his multipurpose, modular chicken cage which can be used for brooding, growing broilers and ready-to-lay pullets. He is also the manufacturer of an ostrich incubator.

Goats, farm machines, livestock feeds and medicines, organic products, the latest hybrid seeds of vegetables and other high-value crops, wellness products, and many others will all be there. We will see you there.

Written by Zac Sarian

Source: Manila Bulletin

Learn the basics of bio-dynamic farming

MANILA, Philippines – Most foods nowadays have not only lost the quality of being alive but are also produced in a process that creates ecological imbalance. When soil is tilled or crops are removed, the land is depleted of its minerals and subtle life forces.

There is a process called bio-dynamic agriculture where weakened life forces are revi-talized, stimulating root growth, microorganism production and humus formation. This farming method brings back like into vegetables, fruit and grains.

Learn about this method in a conference title Managing Abundance to be held Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at ISIP Center, 6241 Palma corner Mañalac Sts., Makati City. A field trip (optional) is scheduled for the following day at the Prado Farms in Lubao, Pampanga.

The conference, organized by the Institute for Steiner’s Ideas in Practice (ISIP) Philip-pines and the Philippine Bio-dynamic Agriculture Research Foundation Inc. (PhilBiio), will discuss the following topics: What bio-dynamic farming is and how it heals the earth; What does it mean to really eat healthily; Beyond organic: Farms transitioning from traditional to bio-dynamic; Case studies and panel discussions from farmers on what works and what doesn’t; Thinking locally: How to make bio-dynamic preparations for Phi-lippine farms; Certified bio-dynamic! What’s in a (brand) name?; and Show us the money! Taking bio-dynamic farming to the next level

The conference is for farm or lot owners who wish to introduce the bio-dynamic agricultural process in their lands or know more about the benefits of the system and for farmers who want to learn about implementation of the bio-dynamic process. It is also for gricultural students, pro-fessors, and NGO professionals that wish to learn more about bio-dynamic farming. Anyone that wants to know more about this earth-friendly alternative of food production is also welcome.

The conference fee is P1,000 which includes lunch while the field trip fee is P1,000 including lunch and transportation.

Limited discounts are avai-lable for students, teachers, farmers, and NGO professionals.

For reservations and inquiries: Call 899 4675, text 0917 557 7427 or email isip.philippines-@ yahoo.com

Source: Philippine Star

GARDENING FOR BETTER ENVIRONMENT

The Cactus and Succulents Society of the Philippines will hold a pre-Christmas Garden Show & Bazaar at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City from November 20 to 30. Among those participating are Philippine Horticultural Society 1976, Fern and Nature Society, Philippine Orchid Society, Kapisanan ng mga Pinoy sa Sining ng Bonsai, and others.

PINOY AQUATICS FAIR

The 2nd Pinoy Aquatics Fair will be held at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Sept. 18 to 20 under the auspices of AANI in cooperation with DOST-PCAMRD, Fisheries Industry Group, Quezon City Government, Quezon Memorial Circle Administration, REEF Philippines
and others.

FREE-RANGE CHICKEN SEMINAR

Dr. Rey Itchon of Solraya Enterprises will conduct a seminar of raising free-range Sunshine chickens
on September 7, Monday, at the university auditorium of the Central Luzon State University in Muñoz City, Nueva Ecija. Sunshine chicken is fast becoming popular for growing in the backyard or on the range because it is fast-growing. In just 45 to 60 days, the chicken can weigh 1.2 to 1.5 kilos.

Dr. Itchon is also scheduled to conduct a seminar on raising Sunshine chickens in Bohol on September 21. Email: info@solraya.com for more information.

Halo-halo, Samalamig contests at Bangus Fest

DAGUPAN CITY — Halo-halo and Palamig does not only quench thirst or cool down the hot feeling this summer.

It gives the needed income or an add-on income to poor families who are engage in different micro-businesses depending on the season or climate. More importantly, to ambulant vending just “to keep the ends meet.”

Bangus Festival 2009 will not only be sights, sounds, and food for the festival enthusiasts; and good advertising mileage for multi-national companies and giant television networks.

A unique event will be introduced this year. It is called “Halo-halo at Samalamig Festival.” It will be held on April 23 to 25 at the Senior Citizen’s Park in the city plaza.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, Bangus Festival 2009 chairman, said their partner in this event is Alaska Milk.

“The objective is to give livelihood to small businessmen in the city,” she explained.

It will not only be an opportunity to have extra income during the summer festival but also an opportunity to earn extra money.

Fernandez said the “Halo-halo at Samalamig Festival” is also a competition.

Priority participants are those halo-halo and samalamig vendors at the downtown area and those from the barangays.

Fifteen booths will be put up at the “food court” at the Senior Citizens Park.

A team shall be composed of not more than 10 members.

The competition is based on the following criteria: taste of halo-halo at samalamig (50 percent), use of ingredients (20 percent), uniqueness (20 percent) and creativity (10 percent),” the vice mayor said.

The team with the Best Halo-Halo will receive P20,000. Second and third place will receive P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.

Meanwhile, the team with the best Samalamig concoction will bring home P5,000 cash. First and second runners-up will receive P3,000 and P2,000, respectively.

There will also be raffle prizes, parlor games like sack race, tug of war, halo-halo eating contest, biggest fruit, oldest Alaska poster or label, oldest pictures of Alaska events, Alaska novelty items, and others.

There will also be a search for Ginang Alaska 2009.

City Nutrition Officer Leah Aquino, event coordinator, said interested participants have to get an endorsement letter from their barangay captains or from the head of the organization they are representing.

They may also coordinate with the barangay kagawad who chairs the Committee on Health or with the Barangay Nutrition Scholar.

Deadline of submission of entry form is on Tuesday, March 31. Aquino aid entry forms are available at the City Nutrition Office, and at the Bangus Festival Secretariat at the City Museum. (LCMY/Sunnex)

Source: Sun Star

7th ARMM congress in Marawi highlights abaca, seaweed and fruit sectors

CITY OF MARAWI—The seaweed, fruit and abaca industries, all top dollar earners for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), will be the focus of the Seventh ARMM Business Congress scheduled here on August 5 and 6.

“This event is a timely opportunity to show potential investors that business is alive and well in the region,” said Datu Haron Bandila, president of the ARMM Business Council (ABC), which is spearheading the event.

“Activities like this help the business sector become more competitive and responsive to the demands of local and foreign markets,” said Mangondaya Solaiman, a lawyer and president of the Maranaw Chamber of Commerce and Industry, host chamber and coorganizer of the congress.

The ARMM Business Congress is an annual event organized by the ABC in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry–ARMM, Regional Board of Investments, host provincial governments and local chambers of commerce, and the United States Agency for International Development’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao program, which is implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Economic Development Council.

This year’s congress, which will be held at the provincial gymnasium in the new capitol, will feature plenary sessions on the impact of the global financial crisis and on how to maximize the ARMM’s resources in fisheries, aquaculture and farm production.

“The ARMM business community is mobilizing to keep pace with other progressive areas in Mindanao,” Bandila said.

Solaiman said “business-matching” sessions will be held between local developers and entrepreneurs, and potential investors, which include congress delegates from the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area and the Middle East.

Participants will also present action recommendations to the ARMM regional government designed to make it easier to do business in the region and to attract more investment.

ARMM includes the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur in central Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the islamic city of Marawi.

Source: Business Mirror

Marine and fisheries expo set Aug. 20-23

A four-day trade exposition on marine and fisheries resources will be held at the World Trade Center on August 20 to 23, with the theme “Sustaining the Philippines as the Crown Jewel of Marine Biodiversity in the Entire Planet.”

Called Manila Aqua Marine and Aquatic Resources Exposition (MAMARE), the event is being undertaken by Lotty Events Management. It is considered as a most significant gathering of marine and aquatic environmentalists, celebrities, government organizations and nongovernment organizations (NGOs), technical experts, inputs suppliers, manufacturers, investors and many others.

According to the organizers, MAMARE 2009 will showcase the latest technologies and innovations in the maritime industry, Among the highlights of the expo will be lectures and seminars on the opportunities in aquaculture and mariculture.

The Bantay Dagat Program of ABS-CBN will be the first beneficiary of MAMARE 2009. Proceeds from the event will be directed to the nationwide programs of marine preservation and conservation of Bantay Dagat. One of the beneficiary municipalities will be Pola in Oriental Mindoro which is the center of marine biodiversity.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Coconut summit set July 30 to 31

The First Mindanao Coconut Summit that was originally set at an earlier date will be finally held in Mati City, Davao Oriental, on July 30 to 31.

The event is under the auspices of the Davao Region Coconut Industry Cluster and the Mindanao Business Council. Their partners include the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Science and Technology. The hosts are the provincial government of Davao Oriental and the local government unit of Mati City.

The summit aims to explore the various possibilities of increasing the incomes of coconut farmers using a number of approaches. For one, the organizers see an urgent need to set up model farms using the integrated farming approach that will make coconut farming a viable business venture.

The confab will also focus on the commercial development of coconut products other than copra. One new opportunity is the production of coconut sugar out of the coconut sap or toddy. Traditionally, the sap is made into tuba, lambanog and vinegar. The organizers believe that higher returns could be had by making the sap into coco sugar, syrup and energy drink. Coconut sugar commands a high price and is in big demand locally as well as abroad because it is reported to have a high health value. It is a sugar in the form of fructose which is said to be better healthwise than the sucrose from sugarcane.

Another topic to be discussed will be the prospects of producing bio-organic fertilizer from coco coir dust, a byproduct of coconut fiber extraction. Organic fertilizer is increasingly becoming popular because of two reasons. One is the high cost of chemical fertilizers. The other is that bio-organic fertilizers are used in producing organic farm products preferred by health-conscious consumers.

A new technology using brick kiln to produce higher-quality coconut shell charcoal will also be presented. Then there will be discussions on possible intercrops for coconut trees. These include the growing of coffee and abaca in between the coconut trees.

The outlook on the use of coconut oil as biofuel will also be discussed. Also to be tackled is the status and control of Brontispa coconut leaf beetle which has become an increasingly serious pest of coconut not only in the Philippines but also in other coconut growing regions.

Written by: Zac Sarian

Source: Manila Bulletin