AGRI BUSINESS

http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/2036268/MIRACLE+BERRY+FRUITS+%28sale%21+sale%21+sale%21%29?referralKeywords=Synsepalum+dulcificum&event=Search+Ranking,Position,1-1,1

Miracle fruit or Synsepalum dulcificum )

Growing Durian Sans ChemicalsThanks to Bio-fertilizer, Bio-fungicide, a Predator Wasp and Botanical Pesticides, an orchard owner can now produce organic durian. His trees don’t only give higher yields, they also produce fuller fruits with better rating quality.

If you ask the fruit experts, they will most likely tell you that it is impossible to produce durian without using chemical pesticides and commercial fertilizers. After all, durian is highly susceptible to phytophthora, the most serious disease of durian, as well as to other diseases and pests. Phytophthora affects all parts of the tree – the roots, the trunk, the branches and the leaves. It could be so devastating that growers often spray a lot of fungicide to prevent its occurrence or to control the same.

One durian grower in Davao City, however, is proving that he can produce durian without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. He is Antonio “Ony” Partoza, lawyer-businessman, who has a 9.5-hectare durian plantation in Brgy. Biao Escuela, Davao City, and a 15-hectare durian and longkong orchard in Panabo, Davao del Norte.

 

He has 550 durian trees that were planted as early as 1987 in Brgy. Biao Escuela, and some 600 five-year-old durian trees in Panabo.

In Biao, 300 of the 550 trees are of the Arancillo variety while the rest are of the Monthong, Chanee, Kanyao and Puyat varieties. In Panabo, he has mostly the Arancillo variety. He has a special liking for Arancillo because it is very prolific and has superior eating quality. The taste is closest to that of the native durian which is preferred by durian connoisseurs. Although the fruit is small, it is fleshy. The small size of the fruit (1 to 1.5 kilos each) is considered an advantage, marketingwise. Being small, it is much easier to sell than the big varieties. For instance, at P80 per kilo in the retail market, the

Arancillo is very affordable to consumers. In the case of other varieties such as Chanee which may weigh as much as 5 to 6 kilos each, one 5-kilo fruit would have a price tag of P400 which may not be affordable to many buyers.

The big problem with Arancillo, however, is that the tree is highly susceptible to phytophthora disease. All other varieties are also attacked by the disease but Arancillo is much more so, according to Partoza.

For the past many years, his plantation in Biao Escuela was under the care of an overseer who did not take good care of the trees. Ony was more busy with his business of distributing processed food products of a big Manila firm and the distribution of major Manila newspapers and magazines (including this magazine). As a result of neglect, many of his durian trees were badly affected by phytophthora. Many of them lost their fruiting branches. Big portions of their trunks bear scars due to the disease. There were yearly mortalities, too.

About two years ago, Ony decided to take active management of his two orchards. He resorted to the use of a bio-fertilizer instead of the traditional chemical fertilizers. Also, he is now using a bio-fungicide instead of the very expensive chemical fungicides, and to control insect pests, he is using a predator wasp and botanical pesticides.

As a result of his shift to a purely organic production system, Ony has been able to cut his production cost. More importantly, he has rehabilitated his diseased trees. They are more healthy now and are producing better quality fruits. He recalls that when he was not yet using organic inputs, about 80 percent of his durian fruits were misshapen. Some segments of the fruits were not fully filled due to incomplete pollination of the flowers. Probably, he says, there were not enough insect pollinators in the farm because of the insecticides and fungicides sprayed on the trees. Today, the situation has been reversed. About 80 percent of the fruits are now fully filled. He believes there are now more beneficial insect pollinators as a result of the non-use of chemical pesticides.

And what are his organic inputs? Let’s take them one by one.

Bio-fertilizer. This is a compost enriched with beneficial microorganisms. He himself makes the compost out of locally available materials such as shredded durian shell from his own farm, cacao pod shell from nearby farmers, carbonized rice hull, chicken dung and carbon sludge. What he calls carbon sludge is actually powdered coconut charcoal which is a waste product from a nearby activated carbon factory. This is black and it makes the compost very dark.

With the use of an activator, he can turn his shredded raw materials into compost in just two weeks. Other compost makers who don’t use any activator may take them several months to produce a ripe compost, according to Partoza.

Ony’s compost consists of about 30 percent carbonized rice hull, 30 percent durian or cacao pod shell, 30 percent chicken manure and 10 percent carbon sludge. The materials are thoroughly mixed in a motorized mixer that he has specially fabricated. The finished compost is uniformly fine-textured. Before applying the compost to his trees, it is enriched with an inoculum which he buys from Ecologic Ventures in Pasig City. This enrichment inoculant, he says, adds nitrogen-fixing bacteria to the compost and is also a phosphorus solubilizer. This means that it makes the phosphorus in the soil readily available for absorption by the roots.

One pack of the inoculant (a powder) which costs him P600 is enough to inoculate one ton of compost. Two kilos of the enriched compost is applied on one-year-old durian trees. For trees that are 10 years old or older, he applies 20 kilos per tree two times a year. This is applied under the tree’s canopy, buried two inches in the ground. After application, the same is watered to enhance proliferation of the beneficial microorganisms.

Bio-fungicide. Phytophthora is the most destructive disease of durian. But Ony does not worry anymore about this disease. He thinks he has tamed this disease with his bio-

fungicide. The bio-fungicide is also applied through his compost. One pack of the bio-fungicide inoculant which is good for one ton costs P3,000. The inoculated compost is applied in the soil as well as in the affected trunks or branches. On the ground, the topsoil of 1.5 meters around the trunk is temporarily removed and 25 kilos of bio-fungicide inoculated compost is spread. Then the topsoil that was removed is placed back.

On branches and trunks, the affected spots are scraped and the bio-fungicide is plastered over them. The biofungicide could be put in place by wrapping the same with plastic similar to the procedure in marcotting.

Pests. Durian is susceptible to different insect pests, including species that pass through larval stage and others that don’t. For the control of insects that produce larvae, Ony uses a parasitic wasp which he sources from a retired entomologist of the Department of Agriculture based in Gen. Santos City. The wasps lay their eggs on the larvae of the insects which eventually kill them.

For other insects such as aphids and hoppers, he uses fermented extracts of tuba-tuba, tubli (derris) and panyawan (makabuhay among Tagalogs).

The roots of tubli are crushed and fermented in water for five days. The liquid is strained and used as insecticide spray.

Overall, Ony is very satisfied with his use of organic fertilizers and pesticides. And he is willing to share his experiences so that others can also benefit from his system. By the way, he is the president of the Mindanao Fruit Industry Development Council which is promoting the interests of the Mindanao fruit growers. He can be contacted at 0920-904-1940.

By Zac B. Sarian

Popularity: 1%

Dragon Fruit : The New Money CropOne of the new crops the farmers in Ilocos Norte are producing is dragon fruit or pitaya, the fruit of cacti that are native to Central and South America. These cacti are now also cultivated in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

In the town of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, which is known for its centuries-old lighthouse, there is a 5-hectare (ha) farm where 3 ha are being developed for the production of dragon fruit.

Husband and wife Rodolfo and Edita Dacuycuy own this farm located at the foot of the historic lighthouse. Although they started planting dragon fruit only on November 12, 2006, they have already harvested 120 kg of fruits from their farm and 80 kg from their backyard in Pasuquin, the town before Burgos.

They did not really intend to go into commercial production but they were encouraged to go into it when they grossed at least P16,000 from their initial harvest because their plants started to bear fruits eight months after planting.

Most of the fruits, which have red-pink peel, were sold to the Five Sisters Superstore in Laoag City at P80 a kilo. Some of the fruits were also sold to walk-in customers at P120 to P150 a kilo.

HEALTH REASONSEdita, a 1968 BS Psychology graduate of the University of the Philippines, recalls that a family friend from Abulog, Cagayan gave them a few planting materials in June 2006. They became interested in the plant when their friend told them that dragon fruit has some medicinal properties that couldhelp their 23-year old daughter who is suffering from cerebral palsy.

According to Reader’s Digest, dragon fruit is loaded “with powerful antioxidants” and “it’s thought to help protect against stress-related disorders. Central American folk use it to treat poor eyesight, diabetes and rheumatism.”

Edita, her daughters, and a physician, learned from the Internet that the fruit has lots of antioxidants. These are anticancer and could lower blood pressure, and prevent heart disease. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and watersoluble fibers, prevents constipation, good for urinary tract infection, improves eyesight, and prevents diabetes and rheumatism.

Its flowers can be prepared into dishes, too. The unopened flower buds can be prepared into salad and dried flowers can be cooked as soup and herb. The pulp of fruit skin can also be boiled as cleansing drink and cooked into jam and its fruit can also be processed into flavor drinks.

In Bangkok, Thailand during the fruiting season, lots of chilled dragon fruit slices are served in the coffee shops of hotels and guests can have as much as they can eat.

PRACTICAL FARM TECHNOLOGYThey started planting 428 poles on No vember 12, 2006. To start a relatively large planting, they bought 500 stem cuttings for P25,000 from their friend in Abulog. They also bought concrete posts, the kind that is usually used as post for fences, which they used as poles for the plants. Each post costs P200 to P220.

But since there was not much technology to begin with, they relied on the existing “practical technology.” They .learned that dragon fruit prefers free draining soils with high organic matter and pH 5.3 to 6.7. It can be grown in sandy soils. It must be grown with a pole because it is shallow rooted and most of its roots are concentrated at the top (15 to 30 centimeters) of the soil.

Edita said they followed a planting distance of 3 meters between concrete poles and 4 m between rows. Four plants were planted around reach post, a few centimeters from the post, at an angle leaning towards it. But the seedlings with extensive root systems were planted 15 cm away from the post.

Right now, Edita said, they are using the following technology:

Nutrient management. Apply organic fertilizer during planting. Three months after planting, apply a handful of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) to each plant. Continue applying complete fertilizer every, three months. You may also spray foliar fertilizer every two weeks during vegetative growth.

For one- to two-year old plants, apply the following fertilizers per plant every year: 200 grams nitrogen, 100 grams phosphate, and 15 grams potash.

They have also learned that for three year-old plants, apply 500 grams nitrogen, 200 grams phosphate, and 400 to 500 grams potash per plant. Starting at four years old, apply 800 to 1000 grams nitrogen, 400 to 500 grams phosphate, and 500 to 800 grams potash per plant per year..

Crop protection. Use the following to control insect pests and fungal diseases: chlorpyrifos-based insecticides like Supremo EC, Garotec EC, and Siga 300EC, copper-based fungicides like Vitigran Blue, Dithane M45, and Mancozeb, and systemic fungicides like Indar2F, Benomyl, and carbendazim.

Pruning. Prune to obtain an open, manageable and productive umbrella shaped canopy. You may also use the cut stems as new planting materials.

Weeding. Remove the weeds within the inner 30 cm diameter of each post.

Water management. Water the plants during fertilizer application and fruiting. For newly planted seedlings, allow the soil to dry before watering them to avoid collar rot.

Harvesting. The fruits must be harvested when their color has fully turned red and the navel end is swelling or cracking. Actually, the fruit is harvested 25 to 30 days after flowering. Each plant may bear five to six fruits a year. In Pasuquin and Burgos, the plants start flowering in June and continues until October.

The fruits could be stored at 5 degrees Centigrade with 90 percent relative humidity for 40 days.

NEW DEVELOPMENTSUnlike some dragon fruit growers who keep the technology to themselves and would not sell even a single cutting, the Dacuycuys are willing to share their planting materials to other people who also like to grow dragon fruit.

And for this reason, they have established a seedling nursery at their backyard in Pasuquin. Prices start at P100 for one-foot tall seedlings and increase from P150 to P300 depending on the height of the seedling.

When this writer visited the farm in December 2007, there were already more than 800 poles made of kakawati and ipil-ipil woods in the farm. The Dacuycuys have stopped using concrete poles because these are costly. As it turned out, dragon fruit grows much better on wooden poles. The plants have more roots and these are also bigger. Edita suspects that the moisture absorbed by the wood does not easily evaporate during sunny days and, hence, the roots are much bigger.

Their ingenuity can be attributed to their growing interest in dragon fruit. Their children are now involved in their newly found venture. Their daughter Mildred, went to plantations in Thailand in July 2007 to observe how the Thais grow dragon fruit. She brought home cuttings of two Thai varieties, the Thai White and the selfpollinated Thai Pink. The cuttings are now being propagated in their nursery in Pasuquin.

Their daughter Margaret, on one hand, attended the 2007, Pitaya Festival in San Diego, California to learn new developments in dragon fruit production. The Ilocos Norte Agricultural College in Pasuquin has also started to plant this exotic plant.

Popularity: 6%

Popularity: 6%

Meet the Amazing WheatgrassWheatgrass is something new in the Philippines but in the United States, it has long been a prized wellness and nutritional product.

Wheatgrass is prepared primarily as a juice but it is also made into tablet and powder. It is considered as a superfood and a wonder medicine that can cure or prevent various health problems.

What is wheatgrass? It is the young grass of the wheat plant that is sprouted from wheat grains. When juiced, it possesses nutritional and therapeutic properties.

It is claimed that wheatgrass juice is a complete food. It is called the “green blood” in our bodies because it is full of oxygen due to its liquid state and is easily absorbed by the body.

According to the experts, wheatgrass aids in blood purification, liver detoxification, and colon cleansing. It is a good source of vitamin C; vitamin B. vitamin A, and vitamin E. It contains calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline minerals, potassium, zinc, boron, and molybdenum. It is antioxidant, alkaline-forming, and has amino acids, chlorophyll, and enzymes.

Wheatgrass deodorizes and removes unpleasant odors wherever it is applied. It is an excellent remedy for anemia and other blood disorders. It is an anti-cancer and assists in breaking down toxic molecules in the body. It is anti-aging as it fights free radicals and protects skin cells from ultraviolet radiation when applied on the skin.

Researchers have found that wheatgrass infuses oxygen into the blood, thus improving the body’s immune system.

Wheatgrass is being popularized by Adela Ang of Edsa Garden House at the corner of EDSA-and Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

Popularity: 8%

Popularity: 8%

1. Lourdes Anne Pasamba Says: November 20th, 2008 at 8:11 am

Greetings. I am a student of Sacred Heart College here in Lucena City, Quezon Province. I am very interested on the details and info about wheatgrass. My classmates and I even chose wheatgrass as our topic in our feasibilty study. I hoipe that you would reply at my email ad. thanks.

2. Darhlyn Says: February 2nd, 2009 at 4:06 am

Hi. I’m Darhlyn a student from University of the Philippines. I have this business plan to do, and I’m planning to have a health restaurant/ juice bar. And I want wheatgrass juice to be included in the menu. I want to know whether there is a supplier of wheatgrass in the philippines, if yes, who and where? Thank you.

3. Robert Anderson Says: February 25th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

I would like to know where I can purchase wheat grass seeds for growing on a personal basis for my own consumption. I live near Sta Rosa, Laguna.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

Robert Anderson

4. Mary Ann Ong Says: March 3rd, 2009 at 8:45 pm

I would like to know where this wheatgrass is available? Do you sell the whole tray of grass or do you sell the seeds so that we can plant ourselves at home?

5. Crisanta B. Fernandez Says: March 8th, 2009 at 2:02 am

I’ve read a book entitled “Be your own healer” which featured wheatgrass. Since then, I have been looking for this wheatgrass.

I shall appreciate it very much if you could give me information on where to buy wheatgrass (fresh plant) or bottled juice or powder in the Philippines so that when

I go to Manila I will try to acquire some. If you could add the price list for each type, I will be very grateful.

Thank you.

Crisanta B. FernandezGeneva StreetUniversity VillageLucena City

6. admin Says: March 9th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

Have found a site wherein you can order wheatgrass seeds in the Philippines

site : www[dot]mr-seeds[dot]comcell# : +639155616871email : sales@mr-seeds.com

7. Robert Anderson Says: March 10th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

Does anyone know if Mr-seeds is a reliable supplier. I would order from there, but they refuse to give a physical/street address or allow “pick-up” sales.

8. victor lim Says: April 10th, 2009 at 2:16 am

Hi,

I would like to kn ow if there is a wheat grass farm in the Philippines that uses airophonic farming method and where can we contact them. If none is there a local wheat grass farm here in the Philippines? where and how are we going to contact them? Thank you.

Victor Lim

9. Jenny Says: April 25th, 2009 at 6:24 am

For more information about wheatgrass, call Easy Pha-max Phils., Inc.@ 890-1111; Toll-free 1-800-10-890-1111; mobile # 0917-8612008. FREE DELIVERY!

The only wheatgrass product in the world with its ROOT nutrition

• By using Biotechnology, even the roots of INS Wheatgrass are edible, rendering a truly health supplement evento its core.

• Easy Pha-max Wheatgrass is cultivated in a sterile environment utilizing indoor organic aeroponic cultivation (IOAC) technology, thus ensuring precious nutrition in INS Wheatgrass are entirely retained in a dry-powderish condition.

Nutrients Hidden within the ROOT of Wheatgrass

• The ROOT of wheatgrass is rich in nutrients, amino acid, enzymes and active ingredients.

• Both wheatgrass leave and root contain many types of nutrients, which co-exist in synergistic proportion to form a balance and whole nutrition.

• The combination of wheatgrass leave and root facilitates the absorption of nutrients.

• Visit any fresh fruit bar and you’d find only wheatgrass leaves are squashed while the roots are left behind. Meaning, you only get half of what you deserve.

• Easy Pha-max Wheatgrass Powder gives you the most complete wheatgrass nutrition, so that you enjoy 100% of wheatgrass goodness.

10. Neil Mapas Says: May 31st, 2009 at 8:44 am

Greetings!

For those who are looking for wheatgrasspowder in Santa Rosa, Laguna, you may call/text me at (049)526-6330 or (0927) 4260430. To order wheatgrasspowder online, please visit my website: http://www.myeasycenter.com/miraclefood. Free delivery nationwide.

Also, I’m looking for sub-distributors, please e-mail yourcomplete information to neilmapas@yahoo.com

Thank you.

Neil

11. rod Says: August 16th, 2009 at 10:55 pm

where could i buy wheatgrass here in iloilo?

12. Neil Mapas Says: August 20th, 2009 at 8:18 am

Rod,

If you can’t find wheatgrass yet in Iloilo, you may call pldt toll free 1-800-10-8901111 and please mention my name ( Mr. Mapas )when our customer representative assists you. FREE delivery to Iloilo. If you have other questions, you may text me (0927) 4260430. Thank you.

13. larry q Says: September 30th, 2009 at 6:24 pm

I would like to know where I can purchase wheat grass seeds for growing or a tray of live plant for my own consumption, i’ve been looking around davao city but to no avail.

14. Margaux Padua Says: October 25th, 2009 at 9:03 am

can wheat grains be produced in the tropical climate? i had heard lots about wheatgrass and its really interesting. but i am also more interested in how grains are produced, and if the plant can be cultivated in the phils, just like our own rice.

the price of wheat grains is high because we import it. If we can produce grains here, probably the price would be lower…is it possible? thanks.

15. sonneks Says: October 29th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

I”m from Cagayan de Oro where can i buy for own planting materials (seeds)

16. maria Says: April 25th, 2010 at 2:25 am

im intrested….im from silay city….30min away from bacolod city…09078399918…where can i buy one and how much…pls send me info…

17. rico magallona Says: May 8th, 2010 at 1:13 pm

I saw this recent news on TV about wheatgrass but the number they gave out didn’t seem to be operational so i searched in the internet, i’m interested in growing this wheatgrass can you please send information regarding where i can get wheatgrass seeds and the growing materials? im from Cagayn de Oro City,Mindanao Philippines,

18. khat Says: June 27th, 2010 at 6:41 am

Hi.. Im a medical technology student and we decided to choose wheatgrass as a topic for our thesis which involves its antifungal and antibacterial properties.I am very much interested in knowing all about wheatgrass. I hope for your reply at my email add. thank you very much.

19. Arvin Gray Says: July 1st, 2010 at 4:22 pm

Hi! if you want to plant, juice and save money or wheatgrass juice, order from me. Check out my website: http://www.wheatgrassking.webs.com Thanks!

20. Edsa Garden House Says: August 19th, 2010 at 9:11 pm

hi do visit our website for more updates on our products.

http://www.egh.com.ph/

and pls. follow us on our twitter and facebook account:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Quezon-City-Philippines/Edsa-Garden-House/108741429156961?

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21. Mr. Seeds Says: October 22nd, 2010 at 6:29 am

Hello, we are supplier of Wheat Grass Seeds. We ship seeds from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. We ship seeds by Air21. Someone is asking if we are a reliaable

supplier? Yes , you can also view our Guestbook to show you our recent customers. Online seed merchant for 5 years.

You can view our website at

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email us atmister_seeds@yahoo.comsales@mr-seeds.com

contact us at09172579631

Thank You

22. Tommy Chiu Says: June 11th, 2011 at 1:27 am

I am a distributor of wheatgrass based in Cebu City. You can get it in more bigger volumes at cheaper price. If you are interested, you may contact me at 0922-7784750.

23. Natascha Ackermann Says: August 6th, 2011 at 10:39 pm

If you want to try wheatgrass and are looking for a reliable source, contact us.

We offer GreenLife Wheatgrass per packs of 250g or 500g.

We can also send you more information about the power of Wheatgrass for healthy living.

Call us: 09166874918/09178204803email us: nattyackermann@gmail.com or rab_flameno@yahoo.com

24. john Says: October 9th, 2011 at 6:55 am

i am interested in buying wheatgrass seeds pls call me 09294120985..im from davao

25. john Says: October 9th, 2011 at 6:56 am

i need a distributor from davao,i want to buy wgeatgrass seed

26. honeylyn santoya Says: October 11th, 2011 at 7:21 am

im looking where to buy seeds of wheat grass…pls.contactme on my no.09475171036-from surigO del norte

27. Ricky M. Sinfuego Says: October 12th, 2011 at 10:02 pm

where could i buy wheatgrass here in camarines sur? just contact me..

Email me at: rickysinfuego@yahoo.com

thanks

28. Ricky M. Sinfuego Says: October 12th, 2011 at 10:03 pm

where could i buy wheat grass here in camarines sur?

thanks

29. Tommy Chiu Says: October 19th, 2011 at 7:16 pm

The Wheatgrass Specialists, Inc. based in Mandaue City, Cebu is looking for distributors of its wheatgrass organic powder in any part of the country. For inquiries, please email to sales.twscebu@gmail.com

30. Pablito S. Nantes Says: November 4th, 2011 at 12:04 am

I would like to know where I can purchase wheat grass seeds for growing on a personal basis for my own consumption. I live near Sta Rosa, Laguna.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

31. Tommy Says: November 16th, 2011 at 12:34 am

Wheatgrass seeds available in Mandaue City, sold at only P500.00 (pickup price). Present stocks: 20 kilos left. Please call 09227784750 or 032-2687777. The Wheatgrass Specialists, Inc.

32. Tommy Says: November 16th, 2011 at 12:35 am

Addendum: P500 per kilo

33. zutil Says: December 12th, 2011 at 9:26 pm

hi i just wanna ask if meron poh ba mabibilhan ng wheatgrass seeds dito poh sa cavite thanks po sana may makapagbigay agad ng info

34. levi vidallon Says: January 27th, 2012 at 1:25 am

san po makakabili ng wheat grass dito sa cavite

35. Rodney Says: March 21st, 2012 at 8:21 pm

Hi I am in San Remigio, Cebu. I am looking to cultivate wheatgrass. Where can I find seeds for that, or help me how to cultivate it.

36. jb Says: March 24th, 2012 at 10:03 pm

where can i buy wheatgrass seed here in quezon city?

37. Tommy Chiu Says: March 28th, 2012 at 7:06 pm

For all who are interested in buying wheatgrass seeds and wheatgrass organic powder, you may call us at 0922-7784750 or 032-2687777. We are based in Mandaue City. We also welcome food manufacturers, hoteliers, and restaurant owners who would like to include wheatgrass as ingredients and drinks menu. Look for Tommy Chiu or Daphne.

38. Tommy Chiu Says: March 28th, 2012 at 7:26 pm

Wheatgrass is very effective in the treatment of slow healing surgery wounds, burns, cancer, tumors, sprains, arthritis, high blood pressures, diabetes, chronic fatigue, skin diseases, AIDs, HIVs, STDs, lupus, anemia, chronic bleeding, liver problems, heart diseases and bleeding hemorrhoids. For the latter, it can be applied topically. It soothens, stops the bleeding and promotes healing of the inflammation. For more details, you may send email to sales.twscebu@gmail.com.

39. Brian Vega Says: June 1st, 2012 at 4:03 pm

where can i buy a start up kit for wheat grass including the tray, seeds and the manual? Am from Mabolo, Cebu City please send me an email brian_vega@hotmail.com

40. wilfred basquial Says: August 29th, 2012 at 2:20 am

hi, I’m suffering from severe Arthritis and I don’t seem to get any better. I live at 124, Kennon Road, Tuba, Benguet just along this road beside the police outpost. I wish I knew where to get a few seedlings of wheat grass for my personal use. I would appreciate it much for someone out there willing to help. Thank you so much, God bless you!

Sampaguita : Potential Dollar EarnerOur national flower’s huge export potential lies in the extraction of its natural oil whose medicinal and therapeutic properties have been attracting foreign buyers.

These days, if you ask the younger generations what the Philippine national flower is, they won’t be able to give the right answer. The reason: they really don’t know the answer.

For the uninformed, the answer is sampaguita which, according to legends, comes from the immortal words of star-crossed lovers. “Sumpa kita,” they told each other. In English, the words mean “I promise you.”

Sampaguita is an evergreen vine or shrub reaching up to one to three meters tall. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three, simple, ovate, four to 12 1/2 centimeters long and two to seven-and-a-half centimeters broad. The flowers are produced in clusters of

three to 12 together, strongly scented, with a white corolla two to three centimeters diameter with five to nine lobes. The flowers open at night, and close in the morning.

Sampaguita was imported into the Philippines in the 17th century from Himalayan areas. Today, the flower has become a naturalized part of the country’s landscape. Originally, it is native to India, where eight cultivars are generally listed including that grows as large as small roses.

Sampaguita is considered a symbol of fidelity, purity, devotion,  strength and dedication. No wonder, it is also the national flower of India. In the Philippines, it is called by various names: sambac, sampagung, campopot, lurnabi, kulatai, pongso, malur and manul. Scientifically, sampaguita is known as Jasminum sambac.

The Chinese emperor of the Sung dynasty had sampaguita growing in his palace grounds to enjoy its heavenly fragrance. In the Philippines, Filipinos string the flowers into leis, corsages and crowns and distill its oils and sell them in stores, streets, and outside churches. The garlands may be used to welcome guests, or as an offering or adornment in religious altars.

In Cambodia, the flower is used as an offering to the Buddha. The season of the flower begins in June, the month that provides the most rain. During this month, many Cambodians thread the flower buds onto a wooden needle to be presented to the Buddha.

But what most Filipinos don’t know about sampaguita is that it can be a potential dollar earner. From the flower, a natural oil that has no equal can be extracted. Since ancient times, sampaguita has been cultivated for its essential oils.

According to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), sampaguita is one of the flowers grown in the country from which researchers have extracted oil. Along with citronella and ilang-ilang, the BPI had been using sampaguita as a source of oil through extraction.

In the past, many traders have been asking BPI about big, steady supplies of lowers that yield essences, but there are no known large-scale growers. As a result of these inquiries, the government has given some attention to ornamental and flower crops.

Sampaguita leaf extract, BPI claims, can be used in making medicinal soap and has curative effect on skin diseases. The flowers also have medicinal value. These are given internally in decoction for fever, and are used as poultice for skin diseases and wounds. If boiled in oil, these give a balsam for anointing the head in eye-complaints.

Though sampaguita is not a key ingredient in top-price perfumes, its scent and makeup have given it important uses. Elizabeth Holli Wood shares some tips on how to prepare a perfume from sampaguita:

First, put the flowers of sampaguita, orchid, and ilang-ilang in a saucepan two-third full of distilled water. Then, bring to a boil on a hot stove. Strain the flowers and set the fragrant water in a bowl to cool.

Mix one-fourth cup vodka with twoand-a-half tablespoons of the flower water (“If you have essential oils in the flower scents, add a few drops to heighten the strength of the fragrance”). Let it stand for two days to one week. After that, pour into the perfume bottle of your choice.

A survey conducted by BPI showed that two types of sampaguita are grown in the Philippines. In San Pedro and Santa Cruz in Laguna, farmers commercially grow the single-petal type, which is less fragrant but flowers almost al year round.

The double-petal type is not grown commercially but is more fragrant, although it flowers only during the summer months.

Sampaguita is a very easy to care. It thrives on many types of soil. Well-drained soil ranging in texture from sandy-loam to clay-loam is ideal. Soil that stays for too long should be avoided.

In the Philippines, the plant may be grown in a wide range of climate except in highly elevated areas like Benguet where the temperature may be too cool for its normal growth. It needs to be planted in full sun.

The BPI shares these growing tips for sampaguita:• The land should be prepared thoroughly. When transplants are set out, good tilth help in establishing close contact between the soil and the roots system of the young plants.• Sampaguita is propagated by stem cuttings. Medium-matured stems (eight to ten inches long) are cut and these are planted in perforated plastic bags filled with soil. Daily watering is recommended. After a month, the seedlings will have already developed new shoots and roots and are ready for transplanting.• A day before transplanting, the seedlings are thoroughly watered. The seedlings together with the soil after removing these from the plastic bag are transplanted at one by one meter distance. The seedlings are watered immediately after transplanting.• The area where the seedlings are transplanted should have an abundance supply of moisture during the early stages of the plants’ growth. Water should always be sufficient to saturate the soil to the root zone.• Weeding around the plants is recommended as soon as necessary. Cultivation may also be done to aerate the soil and to kill the weeds.• Like most growing crops, sampaguita needs necessary nutrients for their growth. A bag of 14-14-14 fertilizer mixed with one of bag of 45-0-0 per hectare is applied three weeks after transplanting. The same application is repeated every six months. Fully decomposed organic fertilizer at the rate of 20 bags over one hectare may also be applied to increase the nutrients in the soil and to improve its texture.• Growers often practice defolation especially when flower production is low. The entire leaf are removed or three-fourths of the leaf area are cut off, leaving only one-fourth of the leaf near the node portion of the stem where the new shoots may later develop.• Another practice is smudging. It is done to minimize the attack of some insect pests, thereby improving the quality of the flowers.

By the way, the flower is processed and used as the main ingredient in jasmine tea in China.

By Henrylito D. Tacio

Popularity: 3%

Popularity: 3%

Earning P35,000 Weekly from MalunggayOnly a few people know that malunggay grows well in sandy loam soil. An Ilokano farmer is one of these few people. He has transformed a wasteland with sandy loam soil in Barangay Salapasap, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur into a malunggay plantation, and he have been earning a lot from it.

In 1972, when the Green Revolution was just beginning, Antonio Solima, now 69, bought a 1.3-hectare wasteland along the coast of the China Sea not really knowing that the land would be a virtual “goldmine”. The only vegetation seen in the area was what the locals call kandaroma, a bushy evergreen plant with lots of thorny, intertwining branches which usually grows along the coastline.

For this reason, it was very unlikely for a person in the right mind to invest even P0.22 per square meter for this kind of land 35 years ago, but. Antonio proceeded anyway to make a gamble with his P3,000 savings. Since all he wanted then was to own a land.

Antonio cleared the land and it took him a year because he had a hard time cutting kandaroma plants because he was often bruised by its thorns.

He burned the trimmings and soon after some portions were already cleared, he started to plant malunggay, which he saw was growing well in the backyards of other residents. His grandfather also had some trees which served as his sources of planting materials.

50 TREES FOR A STARTHe planted only 50 trees in the first year because there were not much malunggay stems that he could get from his grandfather. The initial 50 trees started producing some pods the following year and Antonio’s wife, Flora, sold these at the town’s public market. Ilocanos consider malunggay pods as a very delicious food, but most Filipinos consume only the leaves because they don’t know that the pods can be cooked with bagoong, tomato, and ground beef or pork or roast fish.

When Antonio started to harvest his crop in 1973, the farmgate price of malunggay pods was PO.SD apiece, and that time, it was already considered a good price. Although he was not earning much, he was encouraged to continue planting, hoping that someday, his income would eventually increase if he would plant more malunggay trees.

Through hard work and determination, he planted more and more trees year after year until he planted almost the whole land with malunggay trees. Except for small patches he planted with okra, calamansi, and sitao, and an area where he and his children built their houses, the rest of the land was used for malunggay cultivation.

The six tamarind saplings that he spared when he was clearing the area are now fully grown around those houses. From the tamarind trees, Antonio earns at least P20,000 from their fruits in May. The buyers, who are market vendors, harvest the fruits themselves and, hence, Antonio does not spend anything for harvesting.

INCREASING HARVESTAntonio’s ihcome from malunggay pods has also been increasing because his harvest has been increasing, too.

Flora soon found herself bringing pods to the Laoag City public market because local consumers could no longer consume all of it.

Flora relates that she was paying an entreda, an entrance fee to sell in the market at the start. But, the market manager in Laoag City soon demanded that she should get a marketing license worth almost P1,000 every six months because of the large number of pods that she was selling. At that time, she was bringing as many as 6,000 pods every time she went to Laoag City. The selling price then was only P60 for every 100 pods and their gross income per harvest was P3,600. And since they were harvesting twice a week, they were earning P7,200 weekly.

The market manager thought Flora was a middleman, but she insisted that the pods were her own produce.

The market manager, however, still doubted hef and insisted that she had to get a marketing license before she could sell malunggay pods in Laoag again. He doubted Flora because as far as he knew, nobody in the Ilocos ever planted 1,000 square meters with malunggay. Normally, malunggay trees are just planted as part of the perimeter boundary or as a fence. A household may have as many as 20 to 40 trees, but not thousands.

Fortunately, somebody who knew Flora well and happened to have a stall at the vegetables section of the public market, explained to the market manager in her behalf that the pods were really her own produce.

Flora was bringing their harvest to the Laoag City public market twice a week until middlemen started doing business with her in the mid-’80s. While middlemen still bring some pods to Laoag City, a bigger chunk of the harvest is brought to distant places like Cagayan, Isabela, Tarlac, and Urdaneta City.

14,000 PODS A WEEKToday, Antonio harvests no less than 7,000 pods per harvest or 14,000 pods a week during the peak period. A small bundle with 10 pods now costs P25. This means that with two harvests a  week, their weekly gross income is now no less P35,000.

Antonio, however, has to hire two to three workers to help him harvest the pods. Each worker is paid P 100 a day and they are also given snacks and lunch. Harvesting starts at seven until 11 o’clock in the morning and then resumes at 2 to 5 o’clock in the afternoon. During lunch break, the workers sort the pods and make small bundles.

Harvesting starts in mid-November and winds up in May if heavy rains begin to pour, as malunggay does not like too much water; its leaves drop when the roots get soaked continuously in water. Moreover, pods produced during the rainy season are bitter and, hence, not palatable

Antonio and Flora said their children would not have had college degrees if not for their malunggay trees. Two finished radio communication operation, two graduated courses on marine science and technology, and one studied computer technology and now works in a construction firm.

The youngest child, a girl, finished the BS in Nursing from the University of Northern Philippines in Vigan City and was reviewing for the nursing licensure examination when we visited the farm. With the current high cost of nursing education, Flora said it would have been extremely difficult for them to send their daughter to nursing school without their income from malunggay.

WIDER PLANTINGFive years ago, an enterprising couple in the barangay who work at the local municipal government decided to follow Antonio’s example. Carmelo and Lourdes Azcueta, realized that venturing in wide-scale planting of malunggay and integrated farming, their lives would be much better than just being lowly paid government employees.

Lourdes, a municipal treasurer, said they started planting malunggay in 2002. They intercropped it with vegetables, following a wide distance of planting. The couple later decided to follow a planting distance of 1 to 1.5 meters between trees. They had to hire farm workers to take care of the plants and pigs because they have to attend to their work in the local government from Monday to Friday. They now have seven laborers planting. replanting, weeding, harvesting, and attending to the pigs for them.

Unlike Antonio, Carmelo and Lourdes make sure that their plantation is free from weeds and replant immediately whenever planting materials are not successfully established. Not much input is needed to maintain the trees since fertilization and irrigation are not required. In fact, malunggay loves the long hot summer in Ilocos, the time when these continuously flower and produce pods.

Today, Carmelo and Lourdes already have more than 2,000 pod-bearing malunggay trees and yet they still continue to plant more whenever possible. Lourdes said the trees must have abundant sunlight to be productive. The big trees now bear around 400 pods each per season. They harvest four times a week, and they make sure no less than 4,000 pods are harvested on Saturdays.

“You can surely have a good life with malunggay if you take care of the plants very well,” Lourdes said.

Because of the success of the Solimas and Azcuetas, other residents of Barangay Salapasap have started to plant more malunggay trees in small scale. They, too, have realized that there is money in malunggay cultivation.

So, what are you waiting for? If you have a well-drained land which is not very productive, you may as well start planting malunggay.

Popularity: 13%

Popularity: 13%

The Exotic Marang of Mindanao and Its RecipesMarang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) is not only as exotic as it sounds but also as it looks and tastes.

This tropical fruit tree that wouldn’t thrive in regions where temperature falls below 32° above zero looks like jackfruit and seeded breadfruit, but it is superior in quality to either of these. It’s indigenous in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao where it is popularly grown especially from July to September.

Marang tree is medium-sized to large. It grows to about 25 meters with a trunk diameter of 40 cm. It could grow in a wide range of soil types-from light to heavy soils-but it will grow better in deep, loamy soil with a pH ranging from 5.5-8. It also yields best in places that are elevated at 800 m above sea level.It is propagated by budding, grafting, and marching. The seedlings are allowed to harden for at least two months when these are at least 1 foot tall with three pairs of leaves each. The ideal distance between seedlings in an open field is 6 m x 6 m in a square system. It can be intercropped while it is still unproductive. It starts to bear fruits at 4 to 5 years of age.

Its fruit is 16 cm long, 13 cm in diameter, and weighs about 1,000 to 1,800 grams. The thick, fleshy rind is thickly studded with greenish, yellowish, blunt spines. Inside it is a white, soft, sweet, and aromatic flesh from which many whites seeds easily separate. The fruit is also highly perishable that’s why it is carefully harvested by cutting its peduncle and then placing it in woven baskets or boxes.

Marang is a popular fruit dessert in Mindanao. After all, it is nutritious; it contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, crude fiber, ash, calcium, phosphorus, iron, retinol, beta-carotene, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid. The fruit has also a strong scent especially when it is ripe. Once opened, it should be consumed immediately or in just a few hours as it easily loses flavor and oxidizes. The seeds are also edible; these are boiled or roasted and can be processed into flour.

These are just some of the reason why marang has market potential. Its short shelf life, however, limits its uses but studies on postharvest and processing of marang are already undertaken to extend its shelf life.

One of these is the ongoing study titled “Improved Postharvest Technologies and Techno-Transfer for Marang”, which is funded by the High Value Commercial Crops and the Bureau of Agricultural Research of the Department of Agriculture. It is being conducted by Dr. Emma K. Sales, Dr. Nicolas A. Turnos, and Prof. Josephine G. Tangonan of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM).

Recipes for marang are also formulated, and among these are marang jam, paste, marmalade, jelly, concentrate, brittle, and flour. These are formulated and tested by retired USM professor Virgilia Tacardon Paclibar.

MARANG JAM1. Cook 1 cup flesh of mature, ripe marang fruit (seeds removed) with 1 cup white sugar until thick.2. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice to improve appearance and flavor.3. Fill the jam into a jar.4. Exhaust for 10 minutes then process for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

MARANG PASTE1. Cook 1 cup flesh of ripe marang fruit (seeds removed) with 1 cup white sugar until very

thick.2. Spread the mixture in wax paper and then roll it using a rolling pin to flatten the mixture to one half-inch thick.3. Allow the mixture to cool then wrap it with cellophane and store in air-tight jars.

MARANG BRITTLE1. Choose seeds of fully ripe marang2. Sort and sun dry3. Toast until cooked.4. Shell and grind coarsely5. Caramelize water and sugar at 1:1 ratio.6. Add the grounded seeds into the pan and cook further until thick and sticky7.  Spread while hot on a greasy tray or wooden surface and then flatten with rolling pin.8. Cut it according to the desired number of pieces and thickness.9. Wrap or store in jars.

MARANG CONCENTRATE1. Choose matured marang fruits.2. Separate pulp.3. Pass through a coarse sieve.4. Cook in sugar.5. Lemon juice or calamansi juice may be added while cooking to improve color and taste. Fill the mixture into jars and exhaust for 10 minutes then process for 45 minutes to 1 hour.6. Store in cool, dry place.

MARANG JUICE1. Add three (3) tablespoons of concentrate to 1 cup water.2. Mix thoroughly and serve cold.

MARANG FLOUR1. Sort seeds and dry.2. Toast until meat is cooked and then shell.3. Grind thoroughly until fine texture results.4. Pack in cellophane or jars.5. Store in cool, dry place.

MARANG MARMALADE1. Extract juice from marang pulp by boiling for about 5 minutes and then strain to separate juice from pulp.2. Add other fruits like pineapple or orange peel(sliced thinly)3. Cook in sugar until it becomes transparent when suspended.4. Fill the mixture into preserving jars and exhaust it first for 10 minutes before processing it for 45 minutes to 1 hour

Popularity: 7%

Popularity: 7%

Quails : Small in Size, Big in ProfitLearn how one man turned his way around from small-time backyard businessman to Central Luzon  main man in quail egg trading.

For the past decade, the quail industry in the Philippines has become more than just a backyard business because of its economical production cost and easy-to-learn raising techniques. Global standards of the proper management of these birds are exercised both in Europe and Asia, where quails mostly thrive-giving Filipinos the freehand to adapt new methods and techniques imported from European and American countryside.

While the French and Italians take delight on serving quail meat on their dining tables, Asians variedly sell fresh, packed, shelled, canned or boxed quail eggs-considerably a scrumptious entree and a well-known ingredient for masterpieces like cakes, mayonnaise, breads, leche flan and other pastries. Nowadays, we enjoy it through what we call kwek kwek.

Though not as massively money-spinning like other major poultry industries, it can be a sound source of income, too. Manny Castillo of MS Castillo Trading is an active testament of its prosperity.

Trial-and-errorManny’s quail business started small, in 1995. Back then, he was still reporting for an 8-to-5 job, joggling his full-time and part-time responsibilities. He continued, “I had no background on quail raising whatsoever. I came from different types of jobs-from automotive mechanic, certified electrician, to a livestock facility staff and the Army Corse employee-and it was tricky at first having to go into a business which I had no idea about how it would turn out.”

He used the age-old trial-and-error method, starting with merely 1000 eggs, which he transported from Bulacan where he lived, to Manila where he was working. It was a surprise to him that people actually bought them and that’s when it hit him: there certainly is a market for these small but adored eggs.

It was 1996 when he finally decided to quit his job and dedicate his time to seriously cultivating the backyard business. He started raising quails himself, alongside mixing his own feeds, selling poultry medicines and putting up a hatchery where he could monitor the eggs.

Going above and beyond“The business got stronger and the demand for quail eggs bloomed so fast,” he said, “That’s why I started trading. I had breeder quails which I sold to different neighboring farms in Bulacan that had no existing markets. I supplied these farms cages, feeds and medicines, and I harvested all their quail eggs in return.”

The initial capital of P500 for the 1000 eggs he once started with grew four to fivefold that he was forced to apply all his skills as a mechanic and an electrician to drive the eggs to Manila and put up more hatcheries to accommodate more layers and breeders.

“In fact,” he said, “At present, I have a stock of one million eggs at home. That’s above and beyond the other one million I’m able to come up every week.”

Learning processSince people started diverting to more affordable and healthier alternatives to chicken eggs and meat, a niche in the quail market quickly established itself. Though Manny had been making deliveries of quails to different parts of the country, the quail eggs had a specific destination: Central Luzon, thus his link with the Central Luzon Quail Raisers Association.

“The business is very smooth-flowing and the marketing problems simply revolve around oversupplying and finding the right price. Currently, all my other colleagues have given up on the business. The association now is made up of a few players and me. But that doesn’t mean competition is getting easy. There are other associations and other major competitors that are far more experienced than I am,” Manny continued.

Though MS Castillo Trading has been in the map for over ten years now, every working day for Manny is a learning process. Usually, the quail eggs are sold at 70 centavos a piece, sometimes 75. The orders range from per thousands or hundreds, but with his existing clients, he delivers them ten to fifty thousands twice a week, broken and cracked eggs included.

The importance of being constant“Since I started part-time, I started with a pretty small capital. I didn’t have a lot to lose.

Going head-to-head with other competitors and fulltime into the industry is reasonable if and only if you can remain constant. Start with bulk orders preferably ten thousand and up-so when palling season comes, you’ll have enough to start another year.”

Quails eggs aren’t really complex and difficult to manage. For starters, they are actually classified into two: table and breeder eggs. The ones we consume are table eggs, while the breeder eggs are used for hatching birds to become breeders in the future. Identifying the two is relevant for production and separating the two thru different caging methods is suitable.

An egg is composed of 74% water, 13% protein, 11% fat, 1% carbohydrate, 1% ash and contains a 650 kJ per 100-gram liquid consumption. Once broken, it takes two days before it accumulates foul odor, 10 to 15 if cracked and an entire month if it’s whole and healthy, depending on the ventilation of the egg; thus the warning you see in egg carts, “Keep in a cool and dry place”.

Quails can generate investment within two months, as it only takes up to 60 days for it to fully grow and produce eggs once again. Sixteen days after hatching, quails can again lay eggs within 40 days. Should one decide to raise 100 quails with a 70% egg-producing capacity, it is guaranteed to supply up to 70 eggs a day.

Even now at the peak of his business, Manny still advices to follow rules of thumb and conventional techniques that taught him the principles of profit and loss. Manny continued, “Luck, in my experience, played a big part in the quail egg business, but a good layer and a good season is not dictated by chance alone. Pure perseverance is enough to turn doubts to fruits of success.”

Popularity: 11%

Popularity: 11%

Growing Cassava for Food & ProfitHere’s an easy guide to grow the ever reliable root crop.

Locally known as kamoteng kahoy or balinghoy, cassava (scientific name: Manihot escidenta) ranks second only to sweet potato in hectarage among root crops produced in the country. It is mainly grown for its tubers which are a rich source of carbohydrates. Unknowingly, it is a good source of calcium and ascorbic acid.

However, there are many reasons why Filipino farmers should plant cassava. Let’s start with its food uses, which include confectionaries, native pastries like suman and bibingka, sago, vegetables, food seasoning, noodles and flour. Although not the staple of Filipinos, cassava feeds about 80o million people around the world, according to the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

Another important product is cassava starch, known in the world trade as tapioca flour. Extracted from the tuber, it is used by a wide variety of industries – food, pharmaceutical, paper, adhesive, textile, mining and other manufacturing industries.

In the food industry alone, the uses for cassava flour are numerous. Studies have shown that cassava flour can substitute for wheat flour in baked products, as much as 10% in bread and can be higher in other baked products. It is utilized as thickener for soups, baby food, sauces and gravies.

Cassava flour is excellent filler that could supplement the solid contents of ice cream. It is also a good binder for sausages and other processed meat products to prevent these from drying up during cooking.

The use of cassava as livestock feed in the country has been investigated. Studies at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos (UPLB) have shown that cassava meal can be

used as a substitute for feed grains in compounded animal rations. On the other-hand, cassava leaf meal contains 18-20% protein, so that it is a good livestock feed not only for poultry but also for other livestock.

Cassava can also be a good solution to the problems of climate change and fuel shortage. In China, Thailand, and Brazil, cassava is becoming an important biofuel crop. A feasibility study has found that cassava has a very high starch-to-sugar conversion ratio. This high starch content means that a high percentage of sugar can be converted from it, and which, in turn, is needed to produce biofuel.

Cassava can also help control erosion. “Farmers can grow cassava and control – even prevent – hillside erosion by following simple methods,” said Dr. Mabrouke Elsharkawy, CIAT cassava physiologist. This can only be attained if farmers shift their method of farming to minimum or no tillage, “and protect the soil with live, permanent mulch like a forage legume.” He added, “Farmers can also fertilize cassava to make it grow faster, and to cover and protect the soil from rain.”

Cassava is an easy-to-grow crop. “The crop grows well on poor soils found on eroded hillsides because it resists adverse conditions such as drought,” Dr. Elsharkawy pointed out. When farmers can’t grow corn or beans in depleted soils, cassava is their only choice.

In the Philippines, cassava is best grown in deep soil with friable structure such as light sandy loams of medium fertility. Top soil should be 30 centimeters in depth. Successful use of almost all soil types is possible, provided that they are not waterlogged, shallow or stony.

There are several varieties of cassava grown in the country. But commercially, the following are highly recommended: Lakan 1 (fresh root yield: 32 tons per hectare), Sultan 6 (39.1 tons per hectare), Sultan 7 (37.9 tons per hectare), Rajah 3(37 tons per hectare), and Sultan 10 (40 tons per hectare). Sultan 6, Sultan 7, and Sultan 10 are industrial types suitable for starch and feed production. Lakan 1 and Rajah 3 are both all-purpose types appropriate for food, starch, and feed production.

Growing cassava entails simple farm operations such as land preparation, planting, replanting, weeding, fertilization, irrigation, and harvesting. Small scale production requires 51 man-days to operate a hectare of land. The plantation type of production needs 55 man-days per hectare to undertake all the necessary farm operations.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development and UPLB’s Institute of Plant Breeding have join together to come up with an information bulletin on cassava production:

Land preparation. The field is plowed and harrowed once when using a tractor. However, when using an animal-drawn implement, the field is harrowed twice. Ridges are constructed at one meter apart. Fifty bags (good for one hectare) of compost or dried animal manure are incorporated to the soil during land preparation.

Planting. Cassava stalks as planting materials should be less than eight months old and should be free from insect pests and diseases. These should be cut at 20-25 centimeters long and grouped according to the part of stalk from which    they were derived: base, middle, and top (they should also be planted by group). Stalks stored in a cool shaded place can last up to three months. But for better germination, the cuttings should be planted as soon as possible.

Cuttings from the base of the stalk are better planting materials than those from the top in terms of germination, and root and starch yield. The planting materials are planted at a distance of one meter between ridges and 0.75 meter between hills. They can be planted horizontally, vertically (where 3-5 centimeters is left uncovered), or slightly inclined. Horizontally is recommended in relatively dry field, vertically in very wet soil or during rainy season, and slightly-inclined in a soil with near optimum moisture.

During dry season, the cuttings are planted in furrows while on the ridges during rainy season. Missing hills should be replanted two weeks after planting.

Fertilization. Six bags of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) are applied (basal) before planting. The fertilizer is covered with a thin layer of soil. Two month, after planting, the crops are side dressed with two bags of urea (46-0-0). The fertilizer is placed in band 15 centimeters away from the base of each plant.

Irrigation. After doing fertilization, the field is immediately irrigated to dissolve the fertilizer. Irrigation is highly recommended thereafter, during the first three months after planting during dry season. During the rainy season, irrigation is needed only when necessary.

Weeding/Cultivation. During the first two months, weeding is recommended. Off-bar cultivation is required 3-4 weeks after planting followed by hill-up 2-4 weeks later. After the second month of crop establishment, weeding is no longer required. Uprooting or cutting off tall weeds is all needed.

Harvesting. Eight months after planting, partial sampling is advised to determine if the roots are mature enough to be harvested. If they are, the roots are harvested manually if the soil is friable. In slightly hard soil, a bar is used to dig the soil and to serve as lever. Or, an animal-drawn plow may be employed passing at the sides of the plant to break the soil.

If harvesting is done by hand, the stems are cut first, leaving a portion at the base of the plant to serve as handle to pull the storage root up. The storage roots are detached from the stem using a sharp bolo. Soil sticking on the roots is removed using a stick. The harvested tubers must be sold immediately; if not, they must be stored in a shaded place.

According to scientific researches, about 23% of total cassava harvest is lost due to fast deterioration. Bruises and cuts inflicted during harvesting contribute to this deterioration. This problem has sparked many possible solutions like appropriate packaging mediums, controlled conditioned, etc., but none of them has been completely successful.

Cassava is grown mostly in Central Visayas, Bicol, and Central Mindanao. They are also an important crop in Eastern and Western Visayas, Western and Southern Mindanao, and Southern Tagalog.

The Bureau of Agricultural Research said the provinces of Saranggani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Misamis Oriental, General Santos City, and Gambales are good sites for cassava production. Potential areas of plantations are Bukidnon, Negros, North Cotabato, and Davao.

By Henrylito D. Tacio

Popularity: 6%

Popularity: 6%

Growing Durian and Pummelo OrganicallySeeing customers draw his durian close to their nose to check if these are ripe, Greg Tan was afraid that they might get cancer from the residues of synthetic pesticides he applied two days before harvest.

Feeling guilty, Greg then realized that selling shouldn’t be the sole objective of farmers like him for they have a social responsibility to provide consumers safe and healthful food.

Unfortunately, many farmers nowadays are unknowingly risking the health of consumers and their farm workers because they apply synthetic pesticides and insecticides. In durian

and pummelo production, for instance, many farmers and agriculture graduates believe that it’s impossible, or difficult, to grow durian and pummelo organically.

Greg was one of them. In 1995 when he put up his 18-hectare durian and pummelo farm in Biao, Calinan, Davao City, he was using synthetic fertilizers 14-14-14, 16-20-20, 46-0-0, and 00-60 at recommended rate and time, and synthetic pesticides like cypermethrins, carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids to control pests.

He was also using synthetic fungicides such as fosetyl-al, metalaxyl, Copper oxychloride, Cupric hydroxide, and thiophanate methyl to control diseases and spraying either glyphosate or paraquat twice a month to control weeds.

Greg’s strategy initially paid off. His durian trees grew fast and started to produce fruits three years after planting. In the fourth until the seventh year, his trees were bearing large quantities of fruits, more than what the trees could support.

He started having problems when many of his durian trees were infested with phytophthora and other diseases, especially during fruiting time. Application of fosetyl-al and metalaxyl at an increased rate and frequency, however, did not help. Worse, rhizoctonia and fruit borer infestation became serious, and bleeding stems and trunks of trees infested with phytophthora were also attacked by stem beetles, making it more difficult to control using synthetic insecticides.

The quality of his fruits deteriorated for these were damaged by diseases even at mature stage. As a remedy, Greg followed the advice of other durian farmers which was to apply fungicide two to three days before harvest to control the disease.

This, however, resulted in increased production cost until Greg himself was no longer making money from his farm. His farm -workers also became sickly possibly, because of the chemicals. And on top of his problems was the guilt he was feeling whenever he saw customers smelling his pesticide treated durian.

FACILITIES FOR ORGANIC FARMINGGreg was on the verge of giving up when his friend advised him to try organic farming to lessen his production cost and overcome his problems on pests. This pushed him to educate himself on organic fruit farming by researching and attending seminars.

It was in 2003 when he decided to apply his knowledge on organic fruit production even if his colleagues were telling him that it’s impossible to grow durian and pummelo organically.

One of the first things he did was to construct facilities necessary for the production of organic fertilizers and pesticides in his farm: He built a dim-lighted room measuring , 5 x 6 meters out of coconut lumber, ‘ bamboo and nipa for the production and storage of organic fertilizers and pesticides such as indigenous microbial organisms (IMO), fermented fish amino acid (FFAA), calcium plant nutrients (CPN), fermented fruit juice (FFJ), and lactic acid bacterial serum (LABS).

A part of the room was utilized for the production of organic pesticides such as oriental herbal nutrient (OHN) which was made of either garlic or ginger mixed with gin and other organic pesticide concoctions.

He also made beds for vermiculture and started raising 60 mature and improved goats-fed on a cut and carry basis-because he would process their manure and urine into pesticides, include in his compost, and feed to his vermi worms.

To have abundant supply of grass for the goats, he allowed native grass to thrive between trees and planted Florida and Guatemala Napier grasses. He also planted leguminous shrubs like indigofera, Rensonii, and Flemengia as additional feed and to enrich the nitrogen content of the soil.

Aside from shrubs and grasses, he also planted Panyawan, Derris, African neem trees, Acapulco, Madre de cacao, siling labuyo, and ginger as additional raw materials for the production of biofertilizers and pesticides.

PLANTING DISEASE-RESISTANT DURIAN VARIETIES AND REDUCING FRUITSOne of the techniques on organic fruit farming that Greg has learned is to replace disease-prone durian varieties with the disease-resistant ones.

Among the varieties that are susceptible to phytophthora and stem beetle is Arancillo, a sweet and highly acceptable cultivar in the local market. Obosa Monthong which produces goodeating-quality fruits, is also highly susceptible to phytophthora even days before harvest.

Likewise, Greg cut down his Arancillo and Obosa Monthong trees and replaced them with Puyat, Marix 2, and Puang Manee which are resistant to phytophthora and have superior eating quality.

Another strategy to keep the trees healthy is to reduce the number of fruits; this is one way to prevent the trees from bearing fruits beyond their capacity which leads to stress.

Greg said that when trees are stressed, they become sickly and eventually die due to fruiting stress before the fruits mature. From 120 to 300 fruits, reduce it to 60 to 80 through systemic flower and fruit thinning, leaving only the properly shaped and superior fruits.

FERTILIZING THE SOILGreg believes that the success of organic farming anchors on keeping the soil healthy. So aside from having an excellent drainage system, timely irrigation, and pruning, farmers should also keep the soil conducive for the growth of beneficial microorganisms, which help dislodge phytophthora, by providing substantial amount of organic fertilizer.

Greg, for instance, produces organic fertilizer through composting-this is made of chicken dung, dried grasses, and kitchen wastes and vermiculture. He applies organic fertilizer at the rate of one-half to one sack per tree every six months and regularly sprays vermi tea, beneficial indigenous microorganisms (BIM), and biopesticides.

PREPARING AND APPLYING OR GANIC FOLIAR FERTILIZERAside from basal organic fertilizer, Greg applies foliar fertilizer such as IMO and FFAA.

To produce IMO, he fills half of a 15feet long clean bamboo tube set in horizontal position with cooked organic rice and covers it with Manila paper. Then he places the bamboo in a shady area of the farm and partially covers it with decaying coconut husk which gives the bamboo a sort of “dark room condition.”

The rice becomes moldy within three to four days and when it’s moldy, he mixes it with 2 to 3 kg of organically produced muscovado sugar and stores it in a 12-liter clay jar. Since IMOs are sensitive to ultra-violent rays of the sun, he wraps the jar with Manila paper before placing it in his cool and dim-lighted room. The sugar substrate in liquid form becomes moldy, an indication that IMOs exist.

Production of FFAA, on one hand, is similar with the production of IMO. Greg mixes fresh fish and muscovado sugar at 1:1 proportion and stores the mixture in a jar covered with Manila paper for seven to 10 days. He then extracts the juice of the rotting fish, or FFAA, and includes the extracted fish in his compost.

Greg applies IMO and FFAA as foliar fertilizer every two weeks. To prepare the fertilizer, he mixes 2 liters of FFAA and 2 liters of IMO with 200 liters of water in a drum and sprays the mixture to the plant foliage and around the plant base during the flushing stage of trees. But when the leaves of the durian trees mature, the concentration of IMO and FFAA should be reduced to 1 liter each per drum of water.

He also said that occasionally, IMO and FFAA are applied with foliar spray of broadleaves extract (juice of broadleaves soaked for three days in a drum of water) which supplies plants some micronutrients. The only synthetic fertilizer Greg uses, however, is potash which he applies in the form of sulfate of potash (SOP) at 60 days before harvest to enhance the quality of fruits.

PREPARING ORGANIC INSECTICIDE To prepare organic insecticide, Greg mixes the leaves; flowers, and fruits of African Neem tree with the leaves of derris, pounded vines of Panayawan, ginger, pepper or siling labuyo, and Acapulco.

He soaks the mixture in a drum of water for three to four days. After soaking, he squeezes the mixture, mixes its extract with water, and then sprays it to plants every two weeks. This organic insecticide is also usually mixed with IMO and FFAA to reduce the cost of spraying.

Before, Greg was using the leaves of Indian neem tree until he found out that the flower, fruits, and leaves of African neem tree were more effective. In fact, fruit growers call this tree “malathion tree” because its extract smells like synthetic malathion.

CONTROLLING DISEASESKeeping the trees healthy lessens their susceptibility to diseases. But when the trunk is severely damaged by phytophthora, paste of alliete solution can be applied on infected parts. Panyawan extract or OHN preparation can be added to the paste when the tree is also infested with beetles.

Other diseases like rhizoctonia are insignificant in organic farming. Maybe this is because the disease-causing organisms are overcome by the beneficial organisms.

CONTROLLING RIND BORER AND FRUIT FLYOne of the practices that Greg has developed is the organic control of rind borer in pummelo. This is the most serious pest of pummelo and to which 70 percent of the synthetic insecticides in the market is developed for.

The pests start to attack at the onset of flowering because the aroma of pummelo flowers-Vietnamese use this to make perfume-attracts the adult moths which suck the nectars of the flowers and lay eggs. When the eggs hatch in a few days the larval borers will also attack the flowers and the developing fruits.

To control rind borer, he sprays goat manure and urine extract to the pummelo plants at one to two weeks interval at the onset of flowering. To prepare the extract, he soaks overnight 40 kg of fresh goat manure and 1 gallon of goat urine in a drum.

He then adds sili, ginger, and Panyawan extract or OHN to the goat manure and urine extract and then sprays the mixture to the pummelo plants. Apparently, the odor of the manure and urine drives away the moths of rind borer, and the OHN, Panyawan, ginger, and sili extracts kill the moth and the larvae. In this practice, the damage of rind borer is less than 5 percent.

Greg also applies this practice to control fruit flies, but when the fruits reach 60 days, he instead uses methyl eugenol bait in a trap.

In the conventional method of controlling rind borer, however, synthetic insecticides are sprayed from the flowering stage to 60 days at seven to 14 days interval.

CONTROLLING WEEDSTo maintain the grasses at the height of 1 to 1.5 ft, Greg divided his farm into five blocks. Every week, he cuts the weeds in a block and feeds these to his goats which are now more than 100 head.

In the rainy season, however, his goats cannot consume all the weeds in a block and the leguminous pasture shrubs because they are growing faster and their volume increase.

To control them, he includes the unconsummed grasses in his compost and feeds the unconsummed pasture shrubs to his vermiworms.

BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FRUIT FARMINGGreg made the right decision of shifting into organic fruit production because the quality of his fruits improved. The flesh of his durian fruits became soft and sweeter, and there are fewer incidences of maladies such as wet core and uneven ripening.

He was also able to produce more fruits even during the off-season and thus, he had more income for he could sell his produce at a higher price during off-season. Moreover, he was also making money from his goats whose manure and urine can be processed into organic pesticide.

The cost of production, of course, was significantly reduced because he no longer buys synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides.

And most of all, Greg does not anymore feel guilty because his farm practices is healthy for the consumers and for the environment.

Popularity: 5%

Popularity: 5%

Organic Tilapia Raising Is a Promising, Revolutionary TechnologyTo help tilapia raisers save on the cost of commercial feeds and produce healthier stock, Dr Redentor S. Gatus, regional director of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit III, is conducting an experimental organic tilapia culture in his 3,000-square meter, fishpond in Candaba, Pampanga.

Dr. Gatus feeds his stock with the Organic Aqua Feeds (OAF), which is invented by Engr. Walther Alvarez who also invented Atovi, an organic feed additive for chickens and pigs.

Engr. Alvarez said that raising organic tilapia can be done when there is a profuse and sustained growth of algae, bryophytes, phytoplanktons, and zooplanktons in the natural habitat of the fish. Enhanced growth of these natural foods of the fish also results in the production of an ample supply of dissolved oxygen that tilapia needs. Aside from this, if there is a constant and reliable supply of oxygen, it wouldn’t be necessary to have an aerator to stir the fishpond.

To promote the growth of these natural foods, OAF is applied four weeks before the fingerlings are dispersed into the pond. By that time there is already a profuse supply of natural foods in the pond. Feed the fingerlings daily with OAF in addition to the natural foods in the pond, and the month-old tilapia will grow fast, remarkably gain weight, and develop their immune system.

Since it is organic, unconsurned OAF does not decompose but settles in the pond bed and serves as fertilizer for the continued growth of natural foods. Whereas excess commercial feed putrefy in the pond and depletes the dissolved oxygen, causing the growth of harmful bacteria and virus. Moreover, rapid depletion of dissolved oxygen requires regular change of water.

The putrefaction of the waste of tilapia also causes the depletion of oxygen. But with OAF application, the excreta that settled in the pond bed wouldn’tArnel Pangayan supervises the feeding and fertilization the 3,000-square meter fishpond of Dr. Redentor S. Gatus in Candaba, Pampanga.

decompose. Instead, it would become a fertilizer for the growth of natural foods in the pond.

Another advantage of the use of OAF is that even after harvest, the pond need not be prepared anew for a fresh batch of fingerlings; it can be seeded right after harvest. So with this practice, the fishpond operator can yield three times a year in four-month cycle.

For beginners, however, it is recommended that primary fishpond preparations should be done. After full drainage of the pond, it should be plowed and prepared and allow a little water just like the old practice. Eliminate predator species by applying tobacco dust.

Drain the pond for at least 10 days to allow it to dry. Allow water at 6 inches depth and then apply -10 bags of AOF as fertilizer base. Allow, the algae, bryophytes, phytoplanktons, and zooplanktons to grow in the pond for 10 days. When there is already a profuse growth of these organisms, allow water into at least half of the depth of the pond. Disperse the fingerlings after a week. The recommended stocking density is 20,000 to 30,000 fingerlings per hectare.

For a period of four to six weeks, the fingerlings will feed on the natural foods. After six weeks, apply 5 kilos to 10 kilos ofAOF every day; the daily broadcasting increases as the tilapia gains weight. So in four months, four to five head of tilapia will weigh a kilo, and in five months, three to four head will already weigh a kilo.

However, Engr. Bong Yambao, manager of the aquaculture division of the firm of Engr. Alvarez, said that this new technology remains limited and is still at its experimental stage for this might be a threat to the sales of fish rations that proliferates the market. Hence, it should be studied further. But nevertheless, organic tilapia raising is indeed a promising and revolutionary aquaculture technology.

Popularity: 9%

Popularity: 9%

Pekin Duck : Fast-growing Money-makerOne promising new money-maker for local investors is the Pekin duck, particularly the F1 (first generation) ducklings of a superior genetic line from the Czech Republic that is now available locally.

According to Dr. Erwin Cruz who is distributing the ducklings, this Pekin duck will usually attain a liveweight of 3.6 kilos in only 49 days. With a dressing percentage of 69%, each bird will yield 2.48 kilos of marketable meat. The meat has a farmgate price of P190 per kilo, hence one dressed duck will gross the raiser P471.20.

And what is the cost of production per bird of a batch of 100? The cost of producing one kilo of meat, including the cost of dressing, is P122.83, according to Dr. Cruz. So the cost of producing the 2.48 kilos of meat per bird is P304.61. Subtract this from the gross of P471.20, and you get a net profit of P166.59 per head. That’s not bad for a growing period of 49 days.

The quality of the meat meets the high standards of the top restaurants in Manila as well as the importers from Japan, according to Dr. Cruz. In fact, one Japanese importer would like to import three container loads (54 tons) of dressed Pekin duck every week. However, as of the moment, the requirement could only be met partially.

Dr. Cruz said that the ducks should be raised in confinement inside a house with elevated floor (one meter above the ground). In the growing period of 49 days, each bird will usually consume 8.4 kilos costing P194.58.

The other costs are the cost of the ducklings (P65 each), brooding cost at P5 per head; rice hull used for brooding (P5 per head). Labor is placed at P1,000 per 100 birds.

Here is a golden opportunity for the Philippines to capitalize on the fact that it is about the only country in the region that is free of the bird flu. Clusters of Pekin duck production involving the small farmers is possible, according to Dr. Cruz.

What is needed is government support for the industry such as the provision of AAA dressing plants that will make it possible to export the Pekin duck meat not only to Japan but also elsewhere.

Technology in postharvest processing as well as various ways of cooking Pekin duck meat should be in the research agenda.

Of course, the target should not only be for export. More Filipinos should also be able to savor the Pekin duck meat.

Actually, many Filipinos think very lowly of duck meat because they believe it is tough and has a fishy taste (malangsa). That’s because the local ducks often cooked are the culls whose meat is tough.

Once they taste the fleshy and tender meat of the 49-days-old Pekin duck of Dr. Cruz, their impression of duck meat would be totally different.

By Zac B. Sarian

Popularity: 12%

Popularity: 12%

Raising Tilapia in Your BackyardThe Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center Foundation gives these timely and relevant tips on growing tilapia.

Tilapia is now widely distributed around the world. It has become the mainstay of many small-scale aquaculture projects of poor fish farmers in the developing world. According to Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, the executive director of the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD), tilapia is now cultured in more than 70 countries.

Fishery experts have dubbed tilapia as “aquatic chicken” because it possesses many positive attributes that suit the fish for a varied range of aquaculture systems. For one, tilapia tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions and is highly resistant to diseases and parasitic infections.

Other good traits of tilapia include excellent growth rates on a low-protein diet, ready breeding in captivity and ease of handling; and, more importantly, wide acceptance as food fish.

Next to milkfish (more popularly known as “bangus”), tilapias are among the widely cultured species in the Philippines. The culture of tilapia in freshwater ponds and cages has been a commercial success:

Currently, there are an estimated 15,000 hectares of freshwater ponds and 500 hectares of cages in lakes in lakes and reservoirs producing over 50,000 metric tons of tilapia.

Tilapia was first introduced into the country in the 1950s Today, there are four species raised in the country: Oreochronlis niloticus, O. mossambicus, O. aureus, and Tilapia zillii.

Business opportunitiesThe Philippines now ranks fourth among the top ten largest tilapia producers in the world – after China, Egypt and Thailand. Other top producing countries, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), are Indonesia, Uganda Mexico, Tanzania, Kenya, and Sri Lanka.

Tilapia production grew by 5 percent during the last 14 years, noted the industry strategic plan for tilapia. This served as a major determinant in the gross supply of tilapia in the country. Tilapia surplus stood around 2,000 to 5,000 metric tons during the same period. At 2020, the surplus is expected to reach around 10,000 metric tons.

Tilapia products – fresh and frozen fillets, whole and gutted fish – have become important commodities in the international seafood trade. However, the Philippines cannot supply the international market with frozen whole fish since our price is much higher than those coming from Thailand and Taiwan.

Here are some tips from the llavao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc.:

Site selectionSelect a site where water is accessible throughout the year. It should be well exposed to sunlight, which hastens the growth and multiplication of small aquatic plants called algae (“lumot”), which serve as food for the tilapia. More important, it should not be flooded during rainy season.

Pond preparationThe size of the pond should be determined by the number of fish you want to raise. A good guide is 2-3 mature fish per square meter of water surface. The depth of the pond should be one meter with water not less than three-fourths meter deep. Manage the water sc that it will not flow continuously through the pond.

To insure that no fish will escape, fine-meshed bamboo or fence should screen ponds that have waterways connecting them to canals or outside water. Both the inside and outside end of each waterway should be screened. Use big bamboos for inlets and outlets for small ponds.

Pond fertilizationSince the pond is newly constructed, you have to apply fertilizer. Do this one week before stocking. Apply chicken manure on the pond bottom with water depth of about 6 centimeters at the rate of one kilo for every lo square meters.

Fertilize the pond once a month to insure good production of algae. You can either use commercial fertilizer or organic matter like manure, compost, ipil-ipil leaves, etc. If you do not have organic matter, apply every month one-half kilo of urea and one half kilo of 15-15-15 for even, 100 square meters of water surface.

Securing fish fingerlingsObtain your first supply of young tilapia from any reliable fishpond owner. One source of tilapia fingerlings is the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc, in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. If fingerlings are unavailable, you need about 20-30 pairs of good breeders to start reproducing in your tilapia pond of 10 x 20 feet. If fingerlings are available, you will need to plan on about 5 to 6 fingerlings per square meter of water surface area. The most common breeds of tilapia available are: Nilotica, Mozambique, and GIF (genetically modified).

Stocking the pondBefore stocking the pond with tilapia, be sure to drain it thoroughly and remove the weeds and unwanted fish that may be present. Allow your pond to dry up until it cracks before refilling with fresh, clean water. Fertilize the pond one week before stocking.

Stock the pond either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the water temperature is low in order to avoid weakening of the fish. Allow the water in the pond to mix gradually with the water in the fish container before putting the fish into the pond.

Care and maintenance- Feed daily during morning and afternoon at one portion of the pond. Supplement feeds with fine rice bran, bread crumbs, earthworms, termites, and others at an initial rate of

5% of the total body weight of the fish.- Maintain the natural fishfood by adding more fertilizer. Place chicken droppings in sacks and suspend in the water at every corner of the pond. Put 2.5 kg of chicken manure per bag.- Maintain a water level depth of 1-1.5 meters. Gradually remove excess fingerlings after the third month of stocking. Retain six fingerlings per square meter. (As another source of income, you can sell those excess fingerlings to other farmers in the area.)- Plant “kangkong” and “gabi” at one portion to provide shade for the fish during hot weather and to serve as growing media for natural fish food. Water lily also provides shade. However, do not totally cover the pond with plants as this will interfere with the natural food production process.- Prevent seepages and leakages by patching them with muds. Clear the pond dikes of weeds.- Check the gates occasionally to prevent entry of other fish species and avoid loss of stock. If your home lot is easily flooded, place stones around the top of dikes to prevent the escape of fish if the water overflows.- Find ways to keep the mudfish (“haluan”) out of your tilapia pond. The mudfish is a ferocious predator of tilapia fingerlings and ever larger fish.- Plant more trees within the sources of water to maintain the flow. Protect the riverbeds from toxic waste water and pesticides and avoid dumping of garbage.- Plant trees and grasses near the dike to avoid erosion.

HarvestingYou can harvest tilapia by using a dip net or a lift net. Lower the net down to the bottom of the pond and spread a small amount of feed on the water just above the net. Lift the net as fast as possible to prevent the escape of the tilapia. After harvesting, stock the pond again.

Integrated farmingResearch at the MBRLC shows that you can make your fishpond more productive and profitable by raising a pig at the site of the pond. Pig wastes go directly to the pond and help to fertilize the tiny plants that serve as the tilapia’s main food. Tests have proven that tilapia cultured in this kind of pond can be eaten without any harmful effect. Many farmers in Mindanao have already adopted this technology in their own fishponds.

Uses of tilapiaTilapia is a good quality food and has a firm and delicious flesh. Unlike milkfish (“bangus”), it has few fine bones.

Tilapia is suitable also for processing into dried, salted dried, smoked or pickled products. It is a good insect and worm predator and is known to help clean many injurious insects from ponds. To a certain extent, tilapia can help in keeping down the number of mosquito larvae, thus preventing them from developing into troublesome and harmful mosquitoes.

Popularity: 100%

Popularity: 100%