It’s a relatively cheap, highly palatable food crop that can be easily grown in very limited space any time of the year in any weather without soil, sunlight, fertilizer, or pesticide. It’s harvestable in only three to seven days, and contains abundant quantities of natural vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and protein. No, it’s not a fantasy food—it just seems that way because sprouts are probably the only food on our planet that meet these seemingly impossible requirements. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by therealbrute [/caption] Sprouts are germinated seeds of legumes, cereals, vegetables, and herbs that are eaten either raw or cooked. These are living baby plants which make superb veggies and ideal ingredients that add flavor, texture, and color to salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, and soups. They have been part of the human diet for much of recorded history, as many civilizations have grown green sprouts for food for centuries. Sprouts are a convenient way to have fresh vegetables year-round, and can be grown in a mini-garden in the kitchen at home. One tablespoonful of seeds will yield from 150 to 250 grams of sprouts. Sprouts are excellent for vegetarians and those on a gluten-free diet, and are common in Eastern Asian cuisine. Commercial production has been a small niche industry in the U.S. for the past 35 years, although they are much more widely consumed in countries like Japan, where they’re part of the mainstream diet. NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF SPROUTS The metabolic activity of dry, dormant seeds increases during soaking, which turns them into a nutritional powerhouse. Soaking mobilizes all of the stored food and enzymes needed by the entire plant, ushering the germinating seed into the highest growth phase of the immature plant. Soaking makes seeds chemical vitamin factories in high gear, turning out antioxidants and chlorophyll—which help cleanse and oxygenate the blood—and repackaging minerals and trace elements into a more bio-available form. Complex biochemical changes occur, as enzymes break down the reserve chemical constituents into simple compounds. Minerals chelate or merge with protein, increasing their function. Sprouts provide a good supply of Vitamins A, B complex, C, and E. Like enzymes, vitamins serve as bioactive catalysts to assist in the digestion and metabolism of food and the release of energy. They are also essential for the healing and repair of cells. Soaking seeds overnight in water cause them to yield greatly increased amounts of B and C vitamins. The vitamin content of sprouts can be 30 times higher than those of mature plants. MEDICINAL VALUE OF SPROUTS The Chinese, as early as 5,000 years ago, valued sprouts for their healing and rejuvenating effects. Sprouts are rich in disease-preventing phytochemicals and antioxidant enzymes essential for the proper function of the immune system. Scientists have studied sprouts for centuries for their contributions to better health, from prevention to treatment of life-threatening diseases. Organizations like the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, and Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. have bolstered the available research on the many benefits of sprouts, particularly their nutritional properties and validating health claims for the product. As food that requires little or no energy to digest, sprouts are perfect for people with acute or chronic health challenges. Fresh sprouts stimulate and help our self-healing ability, and supply the body with high-quality nourishment that we use for fuel. In addition to containing the many trace minerals, vitamins, and enzymes necessary for tissue repair, this pre-digested food frees the resources of the body from the work of digestion to speed up metabolism and overcome challenges to our immune system. SEEDS SUITABLE FOR SPROUTING Seeds for the most common food sprouts include those of: • Pulses of the Fabaceae or pea family: mung beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas or garbanzo beans, and soybeans. • Cereals: wheat, corn, rice, barley, and rye. • Oil seeds: sesame, sunflower, almond, hazelnut, and peanut. • Vegetables: cabbage, broccoli, mustard, mizuna or Japanese mustard, tatsoi or spinach mustard, watercress, turnip and radish of the Brassicaceae or cabbage family; carrot, spinach, lettuce, celery, and onion. • Herbs: fennel, parsley, leek, arugula, and lemon grass. • Forage crops: alfalfa and clover, which also belong to the pea family. Sprouts of solanaceous crops such as tomato, potato, eggplant, and pepper cannot be eaten cooked or raw, as they can be poisonous. Cooking can remove the toxins from some, but not for others. As with all seeds, care should be taken that these are intended for sprouting or human consumption rather than sowing because seeds intended for sowing are treated with chemicals. GERMINATION The germination process, which lasts a few days, can be done at home manually with a semi-automated process or on a large scale for commercial use. Soaking the seeds in water is the first step. Depending on the type of seed, this can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 12 hours, Information on seeds to be sprouted is available from seed companies. Before soaking, the seeds must be rinsed to remove dirt and substances produced by some seeds when coming in contact with water. Soaking makes the seeds swell and begin germinating within a day or two. Draining and then rinsing at regular intervals until the seeds sprout is the next step. Different types of sprouting containers can be used. One is a simple glass jar with cloth secured over its rim. Any container used for sprouting must allow water to drain from it, because sprouts that sit in water will rot quickly. Any glass jar that holds about one liter is suitable. Seeds for soaking must be enough to cover the jar’s bottom about two seeds deep. Too much seed yields poor results. Put cool tap in about half the jar. Soak these overnight (6-10 hours). In the morning, with the strainer holding the seeds back, the first task is to pour out the water. In the afternoon, the jar is filled nearly full with cool water again, then poured out right away. Not draining the water will drown the seeds. Sprouts need to be rinsed from twice to four times a day, depending on the climate and the type of seed used. Rinsing provides moisture and prevents the seeds from souring. Each seed type has its own ideal sprouting time. Depending on the type used, after 3-5 days, the sprouts will have grown 5-8 centimeters long and be ready to eat. If left for a longer time, the sprouts will begin to develop leaves and become baby greens. SPROUTS IN THE MARKET Mung bean sprouts or togue is the most popular sprouted product in the Philippines and the most saleable vegetable in Metro Manila markets. At the Cloverleaf Market in Balintawak, Quezon City, wholesalers dispose of tons of togue, their supply lasting only from dawn to early morning, while small retailers can each sell up to 100 kilos of the commodity. After mid-morning, it’s only in supermarkets where these much sought-after sprouts are available, albeit at higher prices, together with ready-to-serve sprouts like alfalfa, broccoli, radish, and peas produced by commercial suppliers like Melendres Farms in Antipolo City and Costales Nature Farms in Majayjay, Laguna. ALFALFA SPROUTS Alfalfa, one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants, is a flowering member of the pea family and thus a legume. An important forage crop in many countries, alfalfa contains many essential nutrients, is abundant in health benefits, and is the top antioxidant source among all vegetables. Alfalfa sprouts—which are white and thread-like with tiny green tops—are the only vegetable that supply a full range of vitamins, from A, B complex (even B 12), C, and E to K. Placed in indirect sunlight for a couple of days before harvesting, the sprouts produce nutritious, blood-healing chlorophyll. Regular consumption of these sprouts can prevent a number of degenerative diseases such as heart disease, menopausal disorders, osteoporosis, and even cancer. A compound in the sprouts inhibits inflammation, making it highly beneficial for people with arthritis. These sprouts also help lower blood pressure, boost the immune function by increasing the activity of natural killer cells, and contain an amino-acid, L-canavanine, that may be effective against leukemia. The active components in alfalfa lower LDL cholesterol accumulation in the liver, and are effective in the treatment of shortsightedness and intestinal ulcers. Individuals who have or are at risk for—systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), however, should avoid or limit alfalfa consumption. BROCCOLI SPROUTS Broccoli sprouts are 3-4 day-old broccoli plants that taste like radish. The flavor comes from a phytochemical that acts as an antioxidant to stimulate the ability of cells to protect the body against disease. A mild-flavored sprout ideal for salads and sandwiches, these are an excellent source of vitamin C, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients which help boost vitality and well-being. Broccoli sprouts became popular in the 1990s after a team of Johns Hopkins University scientists isolated a cancer-fighting phytochemical in broccoli called glucoraphanin. When chewed and eaten, broccoli releases glucoraphanin and myrosinase, an enzyme found in another part of the plant cell. These substances work together to produce sulforaphane, a compound that may have many of the protective properties for which broccoli sprouts have been so widely studied. RADISH SPROUTS Radish sprouts are eaten raw or cooked in some Asian dishes as well as in dishes in other parts of the world. Due to their delicacy, these sprouts are best slightly cooked by tossing into a stir-fried dish, where the residual heat will cook them. These sprouts have a hot, peppery flavor that go well with green leaves, salads, or sandwiches. Radish sprouts contain vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, along with zinc, calcium, and iron. These sprouts have 29 times more vitamin C and 4 times more vitamin A than milk. They also contain 10 times more calcium than a potato and more vitamin C than pineapple. Alfalfa, broccoli, and radish seeds for sprouting are available at Allied Botanical Corporation. The radish seeds are the same ones that radish growers buy, except that those for sprouting are untreated. BACTERIAL INFECTION Eating raw sprouts has one downside in that the process and conditions for germinating seeds are conducive to bacterial growth. resulting in dozens of outbreaks of infection with Salmonella and E. coli from commercially-grown sprouts over the past few decades in the U.S. and other countries. In June 2011, health experts in Germany identified contaminated bean sprouts as the source of an E. coli outbreak. In addition to that country, where 3,792 cases and 42 deaths were reported, there were a handful of cases in several other countries, with nearly all the affected people confirmed to have been in Germany shortly before becoming ill. To avoid such incidents, both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada issued industry guidelines on the safe manufacture of edible sprouts and conducted public education on their safe consumption. To be on the safe side, people shouldn’t eat large quantities of raw legume sprouts – not more than 550 grams – regularly. Most sprouts, including alfalfa sprouts, can only be eaten raw and are thus not exposed to temperatures high enough to kill bacteria that may be present. Some sprouts, like those of the mung bean, are best eaten thoroughly cooked. Certain groups of people who are generally at higher risk for severe foodborne illness are pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and anyone whose immune system is weakened. People in these groups should avoid eating raw sprouts, especially those of alfalfa and mung bean. They should also avoid eating cooked bean sprouts in stir-fries or soups, unless they know that the sprouts have been well-cooked. Here in the Philippines, mung bean sprouts or togue are safe because we never eat them raw. In fact, lumpiang togue—a favorite in restaurants and small eateries (carinderias)—is cooked twice; first, cooks stir-fry the togue-veggie mix before apportioning it in lumpia wrappers and frying the whole thing. To prevent bacterial growth in the sprouts that they produce and ensure that these are safe to eat, Melendres Farms and Costales Nature Farms treat the water that they use in soaking and rinsing seeds for sprouting with effective microorganism (EM) concentrate. They use one milliliter of the concentrate for every’ liter of water, which must be unchlorinated because chlorine kills beneficial microorganisms. EM’s lactic acid content and low (3.5) pH inhibits Salmonella and E. Coli growth, in addition to hastening seed germination. By Tony A. Rodriguez Source: http://www.agribusinessweek.com/sprouts-health-boosting-quick-and-easy-to-grow-veggies/

Bending towards farmers' success. The Philippines is fortunate to have bamboo growing abundantly almost everywhere. While this plant is available outright in every community, science and technology can further enhance the growth performance and ensure the sustainability of supply of this material, which is aptly considered as timber alternative. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by Moyan_Brenn [/caption] The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), through its Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD), has identified bamboo as among its priority commodities. Throughout the years, there are a good number of technologies that address various concerns on bamboo, specifically on its propagation and plantation management. Among these technologies are propagation via branch cutting from 3-4 year old culms, and one-node culm cutting; clump management and suitable cultural treatments for two bamboo species: giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper Schultes f.) and kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumeana J. A. & A.H. Schultes f.). Branch cuttings from 3-4 year old culms are the best planting materials for giant bamboo propagation. At least 10 branches can be collected from one culm. Each collected branch should have 2-3 nodes and live buds. The branch cuttings develop sprouts 7-10 days after potting. Proper care and maintenance are observed until the potted branch cuttings are ready for outplanting. Usually, the potted propagules are ready for outplanting in 3-4 months or longer. Kawayan tinik propagation is done through one–node culm cutting. The whole culm selected for propagation is segmented into one-node-culm cutting. One-node cutting are cut out from the mother culms containing an equal portion of the lower (below the node) and upper (above the node) internodes of about 4-6 cm. After one month, rooted cuttings with sprouts are exposed to full sunlight for growth improvement. In 6-12 months, the potted cuttings are ready for outplanting. Clump productivity should be regularly improved through clump management or maintained to hasten sustained shoot/culm yields. This could be attained through the application of regular tending operations, which includes cleaning, thinning, mounding, mulching, and fertilization. Existing old bamboo clumps can also be rehabilitated/rejuvenated through sanitation cutting, cleaning, or fertilizer application. This offers a quick and cheap means of increasing the supply of bamboo. These methods are widely adopted by farmers and nursery owners growing and selling bamboo for livelihood in regions 3, 4-A, 6, and 10 and beginning to be replicated by other individuals and business owners throughout the country. PCAARRD’s partnership with the regional units of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and state universities and colleges made these technologies possible. The research and development initiative on bamboo propagation technique manifests the goal of the Council and the Department of Science and Technology as a whole in maximizing science and technology potentials to attain sustained growth. PCAARRD’s commitment to Outcome One will be showcased by the Council in its participation to the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) on July 24-28 at SMX Mall of Asia, Pasay City. “Outcome One serves as DOST’s blueprint towards alleviating poverty in the agriculture and aquatic sectors as part of the government’s social contract with our people,” said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo in his message during one of the events of the Council. The 2015 NSTW adopts the theme Philippines: A Science Nation Innovating for Global Competitiveness. PCAARRD, on the other hand, adopts the theme Strategic Industry S&T Program for Agri-Aqua Growth (SIPAG) ni Juan to bolster PCAARRD’s commitment to Outcome One which the Council pursues, through its Industry Strategic S&T Program, among other programs, hence the tagline SIPAG ni Juan. by Mereyll Kyla P. Irader

The creation of a state coordinating agency for bamboo development is being pushed by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) to fortify Philippines’ ability to seize a sizable share of the $20 billion global bamboo market.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by foilman [/caption]

Senate Bill (SB) No. 1478 or the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Act (PHILBIDA) will sharpen coordination of the many dispersed programs on bamboo.

It will create the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC).

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said the bamboo industry can generate numerous jobs and be a top exporter and dollar generator.

“With only a handful of countries competing in the bamboo industry worldwide, there is a great potential for the Philippine bamboo industry to get the bigger pie in the world market and be on the top export products of the country,” Zubiri said.

The absence of a government agency focused on bamboo hinders development of the industry.

“Currently, there is no institution that is dedicated to oversee the development of the bamboo industry. Among the impediments to realize bamboo industry in the Philippines are the dispersed programs, unsupportive policies, and lack of incentives to attract investments,” he said.

SB 1478 will also create under PBIDC the Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center (BIRDC) which will have these functions:

· Promote establishment and management of bamboo nurseries, plantations and processing facilities that would accelerate the production and commercialization of bamboo and various bamboo products;

· Promote  market access of its technologies and products;

· Evaluate the performance of industry programs and projects;

· Partner with the private sector and  other government and non-government agencies in the implementation of the Philippine Bamboo Roadmap (PBR);

· Accept grants, donations and contributions from local and international donors; and

· Conduct capability-building initiatives for farmers, processors, designers, and other 10 stakeholders.

Many enterprises are still utilizing wood working machines which are not suitable tool for processing bamboo. There is also a growing shortage of supply of bamboo raw materials.

ERDB pushes for the immediate passage of SB 1478 and provided technical inputs into it through the Technical Working Group supported by bamboo experts and scientists of ERDB led by its director Dr. Henry A. Adornado.

SB 1478  was proposed by the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship jointly with the Committees on Finance, and Ways and Means.

Zubiri said during a hearing last May 30 that PHILBIDA is based on the targets in the PBR which includes scientific propagation,  processing, utilization, business development, and commercialization of Philippine bamboos.

The PBR requires bamboo to take at least twenty percent 20% of the annual planting materials needed in the National Greening Program. It mandates the use bamboo in the manufacture of at least twenty five percent 25% of desks and chairs in public primary and secondary schools.

Zubiri said bamboo growing has important environmental benefits, absorbing carbon dioxide better than trees and provides 35% higher oxygen than trees.

It also aids in riverbanks stabilization and erosion control.

After the sponsorship speech last May 30  by Senator Zubiri, Senator Gordon, and Senator Legarda expressed their appreciation of the bill.

The country’s bamboo roadmap targets expansion of bamboo nurseries with quality planting materials. It ensures propagation and breeding, site species matching and plant nutrition, soil and water conservation practices and encourage bamboo backyard farming.

Twenty three bamboo propagules of kawayan kiling, kawayan tinik, giant bamboo, yellow bamboo, iron bamboo, and variegated bamboo, including information materials were distributed by ERDB to the Senators.

Other government agencies supporting the bill’s passage are Department of Trade and Industry represented by the Board of Investments and Design Center of the Philippines, Department of Agriculture represented by the Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Science and Technology, represented by the PCAARRD and Forest Products Research and Development Institute, Philippine Export, Inc., Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc., and Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines. (Growth Publishing for ERDB)

For any questions or interview requests, please contact 0929-715-8669, 0917-102-6734 (Groth Publishing for ERDB)

The oil of the physic nut, Jatropha curcas, is now being formulated in the Philippines as pesticide and molluscide. But more than this, the 37 percent oil content of this nut can be a diesel fuel substitute. Even without being refined, the oil can burn with clear smoke-free flame. This has been tested successfully as fuel for simple diesel engines. The by-product, a press cake, is a good organic fertilizer. The Plant The physic nut is a small tree, about 3-5 m tall but can reach 8 m under favorable conditions. The large leaves that are alternate to sub-opposite, three to five-lobed with a spiral phyllotaxis, are green to pale-green. From its smooth, gray bark flows out whitish, watery latex when cut. The inflorescence formed at the leaf axil yields a bunch of approximately 10 or more ovoid fruits. These fruits are produced when the tree is leafless. Three bivalve cocci are formed when the seeds mature and the fleshy exocarp dries. The seeds are mature when the capsule changes from green to yellow. Widely cultivated in the tropics, this plant is easy to establish with minimum inputs. It is drought-resistant, adapted to sandy, saline, stony, and marginal soils although it grows well on well-drained soils with good aeration. It is propagated through seeds or stem cuttings. One hectare of Jatropha curcas, on the average, can produce 3.75 mt of seeds, yielding 1.2 mt of oil. Potential The potential of this plant lies in its multiple uses, the most important of which is as erosion control and for oil production. These uses of the plant are not new and there are existing technologies that can be used. Ten percent of Nicaragua’s diesel consumption, for instance, comes from Jatropha. The Philippines can also tap the potential of this plant. Since it can grow well in marginal areas, the lahar-laden areas can again be made productive through this plant. All parts of the plant have uses. The oil extracted has big potential in the industries as varnish, illuminant, pest control, and soap. Moreover, the oil has a strong purgative action and is also widely used to treat skin diseases. It soothes pain such as that caused by rheumatism. The press cake, after oil extraction, is an organic fertilizer during the leaves that fell to the ground enhance earthworm activity around the root zone while composting. The plant is a living fence and as hedge for grazing areas. It has a component that repels snakes in going to the area. The juice from the flower and stem has medicinal properties while the latex can be used to arrest bleeding of wounds. The leaves can be used for dressing boils; a decoction from them is used against cough and as antiseptic after childbirth while an extract showed potent cardiovascular action in guinea pig and might be a possible source of beta-blocker agent as found in the study of Fojas, et al. (1986). When pounded, the seeds can be used for tanning. From the bark of the plant a dark blue dye and wax can be produced. With all these uses of Jatropha curcas, this plant needs a second look. It might yet be a wonder plant that can alleviate the ills of an ailing country. By: by Teodoro S. Solsoloy and V. A. Duldulao, BAR Chronicle, September 2004 Issue (Vol. 5 No. 9)

Straw mushrooms (Volvariella volvacea Singer)- a type of edible tropical mushroom can be grown cheaply using rice straw or banana leaves as bedding material. Dr. Aliebusan from the National Institute of Science and Technology, National Science Development Board (NIST-NDB) recommends this method since it is cheap and easy to adopt. Straw mushrooms flourish almost simultaneously along the sides of the growth substrate. Within two to three days the color changes from white to black, then to brown, and gradually fades as the mushrooms grow larger. Some strains are dark brown or black. They may be chesnut-or egg-shaped. The young mushroom is covered initially with a thin membrane called the volva. As the mushroom develops, the stem or stipe elongates, gradually pushing the cap upwards, which causes the volva to rupture and remain at the base of the stem. The still unopened mushroom cap is further pushed up to a height of about 6 to 10 cm. Once the stem reaches its maximum height, the cap starts to expand. Initially, the gill are white, but they turn brown once mature basidiospores. The beds should not be watered in the first five days after bed preparation. During the dry season, the beds may be watered minimally but generously on the sixth or seventh day after planting. The beds should not be watered once a day until the mushrooms are as big as pin-heads. During the rainy season, only the sides of the beds should be watered. Button mushrooms can be harvested 10 to 14 days after planting. The harvest usually lasts for three days. This is called the "first flush". Average daily production during this period is 1.2 kg. The next harvest is done after five to seven days, The second harvest is much smaller at 0.42 kg. This manner of production may continue for a month or even longer. During harvest, the mushrooms must be carefully pulled out whole from the bed. Any portion left behind will decay and result to bacterial soft-rot affecting the succeeding crop, and drastically reducing the yield. Both bed types need lots of bedding materials. Yields depend on the volume of bedding material used. A standard four-meter, six-layer bed could yield up to 7 kg of buttons or 12.6 kg of fully mature mushrooms. Scientists recommend that farmers use this simple technology in their own backyards. If not for money, they can always grow it for their own consumption. Mushrooms are very nutritious containing a "cocktail of nutrients"- vitamins, minerals, chitin and protein that everyone needs. Not only that, it has no choresterol and thus, is very good for the heart. ---------------- Source: Mushroom production technology for rural development by R.V Alicbusan. National Institute of Science and Technology, National Science Development Board, Manila, Philippines. By: Junelyn S. dela Rosa, BAR Chronicle, January 2002 Issue (Vol. 3 No. 1-2)

An ideal tree to grow in the city or country is moringa (Moringa oleifera). Moringa will give you food, fodder, fuelwood and shade. Its pods make a tasty, nutritious vegetable. You can eat its tender leaves and flowers too. The leaves also make excellent livestock feed. Best of all, this useful tree grows quickly and easily in many different climates. Where to plant Moringa You can almost always make space for a moringa tree. If you have no space at all to grow your own tree, see if you can get your neighbours’ help to grow moringa trees on common ground such as the roadside, beside a playground, or even around a garbage dump. The soft foliage and large bunches of scented white flowers will make the surroundings look pretty. And you can all share the pods, which can be harvested over several months of the year. The moringa tree needs lots of water but doesn’t like to be waterlogged. So the best place to plant it is near a drainage channel where its roots can reach the water but do not stand in it. It is often planted where waste water from the kitchen can be channeled past it. This way, the waste water is put to good use and no extra water is needed for the tree. Moringa grows best in sandy soil but will also grow in most well-drained soils. However, it does not grow well in stiff clay soils which can get waterlogged. And its growth will be stunted in dry, shallow soils. Moringa establishes best when it gets plenty of water, but once it is established it can survive severe drought. How to Plant Moringa The easiest and fastest way to start a moringa tree is from branch cuttings. Even branches used as fence posts often take root and grow into full-sized trees. You can also grow moringa from seed, but this is a little more difficult and takes longer to give you a yielding tree. Try growing from seed if you cannot get branch cuttings. Researchers at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute found growth rates as high as seven metres in the first year from seed, with extremely high fruit yield. The main danger with seedlings is getting too much moisture before they become woody. Moringa branch cuttings will root without much care, but they grow best if you plant them at the start of the rainy season or another time when the weather is mild. Avoid planting cuttings in very hot or cold weather. Choose a healthy, mature tree from which to take your cuttings. If possible, find out which trees bear the largest number of pods and the best-tasting ones. Take cuttings from those trees. It is always better to take cuttings from several different trees rather than just one. This way, if a disease or pest strikes, some of your trees will have a better chance of surviving. Find a straight mature branch with some hard wood. Cut off about one metre from the end of the branch, just below a node. Then cut off the leaves and tender growing end of the branch, cutting just above a node. This is your branch cutting. If you have to climb the tree to get the cutting, be careful because the branches of moringa trees break easily. Dig a pit 50 centimetres wide, 50 centimetres long, and 50 centimetres deep. Place a layer of well-rotted manure on the bottom. Make a mound of sand about 15 centimetres high in the centre of the pit, and scoop out a hole in the mound to hold the cutting. Surrounding the cutting with sand helps to keep it from rotting and helps it to grow roots more quickly. Plant the branch cutting upright in the sand mound that you have scooped out. Pat the sand firmly in place around it. Fill the pit with the soil you have already dug out and press it firm. About 50 centimetres of the cutting should be underground. Water regularly, and take care to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Soon the cutting will start sprouting new growth. This means it has rooted. Water your new tree regularly until it is well established, and protect it from browsing goats and cattle. How to Use Moringa Use the green pods as a vegetable. Pick the pods when they are plump and firm but still tender. Cut them into pieces that are five centimetres long. Steam lightly. Eat the soft flesh and seeds inside and discard or compost the fibrous outer skin. Moringa is delicious cooked with spices and mixed with other vegetables such as eggplant, or legumes such as pigeonpea or cowpea. You can also cook the young flowers and tender leaves of the tree. But be sure to dry them completely after washing. Cover and cook the leaves and flowers in their own juices. If you add water to cook the leaves, they turn bitter. Make moringa a part of your regular diet. It contains many good nutrients such as calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Other Uses for Moringa Moringa leaves make good nutritious fodder for livestock. Moringa wood is a soft wood. It cannot be used for building but it is good for fences, trellises and other light support poles. In fact, if you have a row of moringa fence posts, you will probably soon have a row of growing moringa trees which you can use as a living fence. Common Names Common names for Moringa oleifera include: horseradish tree, ben oil tree, benzolive, benzolivier, ben oléifère, bambou-bananier, graines benne (Haiti), drumstick (India), sohnja (India), resedà, ben, ángela, jazmín francés (Puerto Rico), palo de aceite, palo de abejas, libertad (Dominican Republic), paraíso (Mexico and Central America), murunga-kai (Philippines), malunggay (Philippines), saijhan (Guyana). How to Become A Malunggay Contract Grower 1. Join the BIONET Malunggay Center (downloadable form) and submit to: DA Biotech Program 2nd Floor BSWM, Elliptical Road, Quezon City 2. Contact Mr. Danilo Manayaga SECURA Plant Genetics Corp. Unit 707, Cityland Shaw Tower Shaw Blvd. cor. St. Francis St. Mandaluyong City, Philippines Tels.: 637-4982 / 910-1223 Fax No.: 284-0620 / 637-4983 Cellphone No.: (0917) 523-3175 E-mail: secura@nxdsl.com.ph, secura@pacific.net.ph Source: farmradio.org

The National Sweet Sorghum Program (NSSP) is consolidating investments for a 500 to 1,000-hectare land for sweet sorghum as bioethanol feedstock which has a ready market in the San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. (SCBI). At a production cost of P45,000 to P55,000 per hectare, the plantation will require a low investment of P22.5 million (500 hectares) to a high of P55 million (1,000 hectares). The NSSP is in talks with potential investors in the sweet sorghum plantation. “There are two companies that are interested in investing in the plantation,” said NSSP Project Leader Rex B. Demafelis. SCBI, operator of the Philippines’ first integrated ethanol distillery and co-generation power plant in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, is interested to buy the sweet sorghum production from this plantation. The company just successfully produced last May a total of 15,231 liters from sweet sorghum syrup in a pilot run under the NSSP. “We sold it to an industrial buyer,” said SCBI Vice President and Resident Manager Arnel J. Amparo of the volume SCBI produced from the pilot run. With a quality that complies with ethanol standards set by the Department of Energy and one that is acceptable to the market, SCBI is seriously looking for a partner that will invest in the plantation. “We’re ready to talk to (plantation) investors . We’re interested in buying their sorghum syrup,” said Amparo. Aside from the two potential company-investors, Demafelis said government financial institutions like Land Bank and the Philippines (LBP) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) can come in to finance the plantation. BAR field trial program The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), which has spearheaded the NSSP, is committed to funding further field trials of sweet sorghum. “The immense need for our country to produce bioethanol locally compels us to commit to pursuing commercialization of the use of sweet sorghum as complementary feedstock,” said BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar. “We need more ethanol distilleries if we have to upscale our ethanol mix with gasoline.” At a 15 percent projected bioethanol-gasoline blend by 2015, the country needs to put up 22 more distilleries that have a capacity of 30 million liters per year (MLPY). BAR earlier funded the trial planting of sweet sorghum in a 30-hectare land in Sagay City in coordination with University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB)-Alternative Energy RDE (Research Development Extension) headed by Demafelis. It is an area identified by NSSP collaborators consisting of private sector and local government representatives. A total of 479 metric tons (MT) of sweet sorghum cane was harvested last May. From this trial planting, 61.78 MT of sweet sorghum syrup, or 13 percent of the cane harvest, was produced. The conversion of sweet sorghum canes into syrup was carried out by Option Muscovado Plant Cooperative, one of the biggest muscovado producers in Sagay City. Investment in a large scale plantation is critical to ensuring the commercial use of sweet sorghum as alternative feedstock. Filipino farmers must be supported in their planting of this new drought-resistant crop developed by the India-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). More farmers are becoming interested in planting sweet sorghum, having realized its high potential income. “We want to plant sweet sorghum because we found out it’s really sweet. We just want to be assured that someone will buy our produce,” said William del Rosario of the Centro Tomakolaya Farmers Multi Purpose Cooperative in Bani, Pangasinan. Demafelis said the NSSP is extending assistance to farmers on how to sell sweet sorghum cane and its by-products. NSSP is committing to link farmers from Bani, Pangasinan to potential seed buyers that will assure them a market for sweet sorghum, possibly at a fixed price through a contract farming system. Demafelis said the NSSP also has a program to aid farmers in using sweet sorghum cane and seed for various uses. This includes use as cattle or animal feed or fodder. BAR’s academe partners are also training farmers and housewives on the processing of sweet sorghum for cookies, delicacies, vinegar, juice, sweetener, soap, and hand sanitizer. Among these are Pampanga Agricultural College and Mariano Marcos State University. Potential income for farmers Potential income for farmers is P51,820 per hectare over two croppings at a cane price of P1,600 per MT. Using the sweet sorghum hybrid developed by the UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding, cane yield can be at a higher 45 MT per hectare which can generate income of P45,000 per MT of cane per hectare . The additional 3,000 kilos per hectare of seeds yield from this hybrid sweet sorghum can give P39,000 income at P13 per kilo. Combining seeds and cane income, it will generate P73,000 net income over two croppings from the seed and ratoon crop. NSSP estimated that at a cane buying price of P1,500 per MT, sweet sorghum ethanol’s price will be at P54.71 per liter at a markup for bioethanol producers of P8 per liter. This makes price comparable with crude oil-based fuel which at present is priced around P54-55 per liter in the market. Potential income for ethanol distillers is P21.48 per liter for a cane buying price of P900 per MT. This income drops to P18.37 per liter for P1,000 per MTcane price, and further down to P15.25 per liter, P1,100 per MT; and P9.02 per liter, P1,300 per MT of cane. Sweet sorghum processing into ethanol Sweet sorghum syrup goes through the same milling and evaporation process as sugarcane. A similar advantage as that in sugarcane, sweet sorghum bagasse produced can sustain the power and heat requirement for milling up to evaporation. The NSSP has developed a combination of molasses, at 4.45 cubic meters (cu.m.) per hour, and sweet sorghum syrup, at 3.37 cu.m. per hour, as blended complementary feedstock to sugarcane for ethanol production. Republic Act (RA) 9367 or the Biofuels Act of 2006 provides for financing of biofuel projects by government financial institutions. This includes LBP, DBP, and Quedan and Rural Credit Guarrantee Corp. It involves financing of at least 60 percent of capital stock of a bioethanol venture. RA 9367 mandated blending of bioethanol with crude oil-based gasoline that started at five percent mix on Feb. 6, 2009 and 10 percent as of Feb. 6 this year. A Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) study projected that at a 15 percent ethanol mix with gasoline, the Philippines will be able to displace 645.79 million liters of imported gasoline by 2015. A 20 percent mix by 2020 will enable crude oil-based fuel displacement by 1.043 billion liters; by 2025, 1.202 billion liters; and 2030, 1.34 billion liters. Philippines’ ethanol capacity The country currently has a total bioethanol capacity of 69 million liters per year (MLPY). This consists of the SCBI facility, 30 MLPY; Roxol Bioenergy Corp (RBC), Negros Occidental, 30 MLPY; and Leyte Agro-Industry Corp, nine MLPY. Upcoming facilities will have an additional 204 MLPY capacity. This comes from Green Future Innovation Inc (GFII), Isabela 54 MLPY; Negros Biochem Corp, 120 MLPY; and Fuel Inc., Negros, 30 MLPY. SCBI presently has a daily production of 100,000 to 125,000 liters of fuel-grade ethanol. Sugarcane required is 400,000 MT. One million liters of bioethanol is delivered to SCBI’s industrial buyer every 10 to 12 days. RBC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Roxas Holdings Inc. uses molasses from their three sugar mills--Central Azucarera Don Pedro, Hawaiian Philippine Co., and Central Azucarera La Carlota. GFII, which is in a preliminary operational stage, is using sugarcane as major feedstock and is also considering to use sweet as sorghum to supplement sugarcane. More sweet sorghum trials NSSP has sweet sorghum plantation trials in Sagay City, San Carlos, Bago, and Binalbagan, all in Negros Occidental. Collaborators in ethanol production and plantation trials are Biomass Resource Inc, SCBI, the local government of Sagay City, Negros Biochem Inc. and Fuel INC. Validation trials showed that yield of stalk of sweet sorghum reached a high of 62 MT per hectare in Bago City from seed cropping, while ratoon cropping (second cropping offshoot from seed crop) yielded an even higher 88.2 MT per hectare. The trial in San Carlos City had a lower stalk yield of 45.4 MT per hectare for the seed cropping and also lower 42.83 MT per hectare for the ratoon cropping. Brix or sweetness level was higher in San Carlos City at 18.65 degrees while that in Bago was 16 degrees. As brix level in sweet sorghum is important for ethanol productivity, ICRISAT reported that the variety SPV 422 recorded the highest brix at 19 degrees compared to other varieties whose brix was between 15 to18.5 degrees. In order to raise brix level, an evaporation system is employed which can concentrate 10 to 11 degree brix to 60 to 65 degree brix syrup, said Demafelis. There are more validation trials being conducted by the NSSP nationwide. These are in (Luzon) Pangasinan, Isabela, TArlac, and Pampanga. In Panay Island, these are in Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique. “The project targets to introduce the production of sweet sorghum in the Panay region through the use of marginal lands to increase farmers’ income and land productivity,” said Demafelis. BAR is promoting interest in collaboration in sweet sorghum’s use as feedstock through the summit it has started since 2011. For any questions, please call Engr. Rex B. Demafelis, 0919-265-1816; for interview requests, 0917-979-1629.

Wheatgrass, the young grass of the wheat plant that is sprouted from wheat grains, is fast becoming popular in the Philippines because of its many health benefits and curative properties. It is considered as a superfood and a wonder medicine that can cure or prevent various health problems. Wheatgrass is comparable to even the most nutritious vegetables, providing significant amounts of protein, B12, vitamin E, enzymes, amino acids and chlorophyll as well as a number of other vitamins and minerals. It is believed to help detoxify the body, fight infection and improve digestion. Try it as a hangover cure. By acting as an appetite suppressant, wheatgrass can also promote weight loss. It has been associated with a lower risk of cancer and the reduction of tumors. Wheatgrass also promotes healthy skin and is a possible remedy for baldness and gray hair. Additionally, it also contributes to muscle building and increased endurance. Not only that, but wheatgrass may have a beneficial effect on circulation and blood sugar. Wheatgrass can be grown outdoors, but it is also commonly grown inside where it can be readily harvested and prepared. By growing your own, you can easily avoid the chemicals found in most produce. Wheatgrass is easy to grow and will provide you with nutrition in just a few days after sowing. This short production period is not something you tend to find in most vegetables, making wheatgrass a very cheap and efficient form of nutrition. How to Grow Your Own Wheatgrass Here are the things you need to get started growing wheatgrass: * Quality wheatgrains * A large, flat, rectangular or square plastic trays with holes on the bottom. If they don't have holes, make some. * A bag of potting soil. This should preferably be organic soil without chemicals added. You don't need fertilizers to grow wheatgrass since it grows in such a short time. * A sprinkler sprayer * Scissors * A jar for soaking the seeds * A colander for the initial sprouting of the seeds Procedure: It is best to sprout the seeds in advance so that you do not end up with ungerminated seeds that can develop mold. 1. Start out by soaking your seeds in some water until they sprout. This will usually take about a day. You can add about 5% hydrogen peroxide to the water to help germination and reduce mold. 2. Prepare your growing tray with dampened soil. You can mix in some compost or manure if you want to increase the nutrient content of the soil. 3. Place the sprouted seeds closely together in your tray so that you'll end up with a nice thick lawn of wheat grass. 4. Cover the sprouts with about 1/8" of soil and cover the container with clear plastic. Once the blades of grass begin poking up through the 1/8" layer, you can remove the plastic. Be sure to provide good sunlight. 5. When the blades reach about 7-8" in height, the grass is ready to harvest. This will usually take about a week. 6. Leave about an inch of grass above the soil to remain growing. Once cut, the grass will resume growing, and it can be harvested again. You can help rejuvenate the soil with an organic liquid fertilizer or by making compost tea. 7. Fresh blades can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Juiced blades is best consumed within the day after juicing. Steps in Juicing Wheatgrass 1. Wash the wheatgrass thoroughly. 2. Extract the wheatgrass juice by using an electric juicer or a manual juicer. 3. For best results, wheatgrass juice should be consumed within 30 minutes after juicing. It will keep for about 12 hours in the refrigerator. 4. juice may also be frozen as ice cubes, freezing preserves the enzymes. Shelf life of frozen juice is about one (1) week. Other pointers: 1. Do not rinse the grass if it will be stored in the refrigerator as water will hasten its decomposition 2. Cut grass can be stored for up to seven days, in glass or plastic container with lids, in the refrigerator. Do not use yellow-tinged grass. 3. For best results, grass should be juiced and used immediately. Sources: wikipedia.org, agribusinessweek.com, egh.com.ph, growgrass.blogspot.com

The Philippines is hosting an ASEAN Congress on June 26-30, 2017 that will provide a forum for the exchange of information and experiences on sustainable urbanization. This event is consistent with the celebration of the ASEAN’s 50^th Founding Anniversary with Philippines as the ASEAN Chair for 2017.

Since Southeast Asia is seen internationally as a high growth area with GDP growing at 4.8% annually, it is imperative for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to balance the tide of urbanization and industrialization against environmental sustainability.

Helping achieve this balance is a major aim of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) thru the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) which is hosting the “R & D Congress on Sustainable Urbanization in the Course of ASEAN Economic Integration.”

The Congress will be participated by established R and D practitioners from various academic and research institutions in the ASEAN region who are working on urban ecosystem, environment and natural resources management.

At present, ASEAN has an urban “consuming class” of approximately 8 million households (Mckinely Report, 2015). Accordingly, it is likely to double in size by 2030.

This has implications to increasing demand for consumable goods and services and for developed land. This will result to irreversible change in land use – leading to serious concerns on food security, biodiversity loss and increase in GHG emissions.

ERDB Director Dr. Henry A. Adornado said that ERDB has earlier called for paper submission from the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) on four research subjects.

These are 1.  Human settlement and rapid urbanization in ASEAN mega cities, 2. Environment protection amidst industrialization for sustainable cities, 3. Impact of flow of goods and services, and 4. ASEAN economic community and urban metabolism and inclusive growth.

These presentations should highlight policies, programs and experiences that may be emulated or replicated among ASEAN members. With the ongoing economic integration, urban poverty issues and impact to the environment of transboundary trade will be discussed.

“It is believed that sustainable urbanization and economic integration are closely intertwined. With such consideration, policy experts urge the ASEAN to reconcile its target of establishing an economic integration through the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) with the protection of the ecosystem and biodiversity,” according to ERDB’s Congress primer.

“Urbanization is considered as driver of world’s changing climate caused by global warming.  This is particularly crucial in urban communities having economies that are based in high production and consumption consequent to serious environmental and economic issues.”

Focus-Economics noted that Southeast Asia’s regional GDP has grown at around 4.6% annually since 2014. (Growth Publishing for ERDB)

For any questions or interview requests, please contact 0929-715-8669, 0917-102-6734 (Growth Publishing for ERDB)

An innovative, eco-friendly technology to convert sugarcane by-products into bio-organic fertilizers has been developed by scientists from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA). Bio-organic fertilizers are promoted as cheap alternatives to restore soil fertility of poor degraded soils. Poor soils are a result of intensive agriculture, slash and burn methods, pesticides and chemicals, mining, and urbanization. These practices degrade the quality of our soils and result to low yields and low productivity. The scientists use sugarcane by-products like bagasse, mudpress, slops, and ash from sugar factories and alcohol distilleries. Bagasse is the pulp or dry refuse left after the juice has been extracted from sugar cane while slop is what remains of the mash after an alcoholic beverage has been distilled. The technology has shortened composting time from six months to 4-6 weeks. Transforming these by-products into bio-organic fertilizers is a welcome option since these waste materials can be serious health hazards to communities around the factories. Materials for compost pile First, you need an activator. This is a liquid concentrate of cellulolytic fungi such as Trichoderma koningii, T. resii, T. viride, T. harzianum and Phanerochaete chrysosporium. These organisms are cultured in liquid media such as rice bran decoction, coconut water, and slops. Next, you need plant residues such as cane trash, bagasse and mudpress, wastes, and manure. Among the sugarcane by-products, mudpress contains the highest amount of nutrients but these nutrients are organically bound which means that they can only be released to the soil with the aid of fungal microorganisms. The fungal organisms in the activator degrade plant residues to make the nutrients available. Manure and green leaves are added to the compost pile as these are rich sources of nitrogen needed to sustain the growth of the microorganisms. To hasten the composting process, you need an acidified solution (distillery slops and furnace ash) containing phosphates and ammonium sulfate. The recommended mixture is 2:1:1, that is two parts mudpress, one part bagasse and one part manure and green leaves. A 1% activator and 0.5% ammonium sulfate constitute the most essential ingredients for the compost pile. Compost 'activator' is available at the SRA Applied Microbiology Laboratory upon advanced request. Interested individuals can also sign-up for a short training course on how to produce the 'activator' at the same laboratory. Making the compost pile First, prepare layers of bagasse, mudpress, green leaves, manure, mineral matter and activator using the recommended proportion. Continue layering until the pile is three feet high, five feet wide and ten feet long. Make sure that there are enough green leaves for the nitrogen needs of the microorganisms. Keep the compost pile moist but not too wet. Too much moisture can delay decomposition. Cover it with laminated plastic or canvas and let it stand for five days. Turn over the pile and sprinkle with the acidified solution every three days after the first five days. This is done to allow adequate aeration and mixing of the materials. For the composting to be successful, maintain the acidity of the compost pile from 5.7 to 6.2 pH. Temperature of the compost should rise to 65-70 degrees centigrade within 2-3 days. When the temperature drops to 35 degrees centigrade, the compost is ready for harvest. The compost is dark-brown to black and soil-like in appearance. Before drying the compost, add the liquid enricher and incubate for five days. Air-dry the compost for one day so it will be easy to handle. Put the dried compost in sacks and store in shaded areas. If there are large particles, use a grinder to have a uniform texture of the bio-organic fertilizer. --------------- Source: SRA Recommends Bio-Organic Fertilizer. A brochure published by the Industrial Projects Division of the Sugar Regulatory Administration By: by Likha C. Cuevas, BAR Chronicle, August 2003 Issue (Vol. 4 No. 9)

The Philippines may enter into a potential bilateral agreement with Bangladesh on rice trade even as the country now helps Bangladesh grow hybrid rice to aid in its food security. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by mdid [/caption] The Department of Agriculture (DA) has held a meeting with a mission from Bangladesh led by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Agriculture Minister Md Eunusur Rahman and heads of government-run Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corp. (BADC). DA was represented by Asst. Sec Edilberto De Luna. Bangladesh is already receiving technical assistance from the Philippines on hybrid rice growing with a target of hybrid rice AxR seed production on 1,200 hectares at the end of three years. This program is with SL Agritech Corp. (SLAC). However, Bangladesh is further proposing to enter into a bilateral agreement with the DA to supply the country rice which the Philippines still imports at a significant volume. The National Food Authority earlier indicated importation of 600,000 million metric tons (MT) of rice for 2015. Bangladesh will give priority to supplying rice to Philippines and potentially at cheaper price. The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) even proposes removal of the quantitative restriction on rice which may further cause volume of imported rice to increase. “We’re interested in an exchange of export. We just have to work on the details,” according to De Luna during the meeting. The sustained assistance in seed production to Bangladesh is further establishing Philippines’ leadership in hybrid rice among members of the Association of South East Asian Nations or ASEAN. It may open up opportunities in light of the ASEAN integration. “The Philippines is still importing rice, but we export our rice seeds,” according to SL Agritech Chairman Henry Lim Bon Liong. The joint seed production in Bangladesh covers SLAC’s supply of SL1A as female parent and SL-8R as male parent to BADC. De Luna said the bilateral agreement may also involve exchange of farmers as a training program. Five to 10 farmers may be sent by the Philippines to Bangladesh for exposure to various farm practices. “We are not new to bilaterals and technical cooperation. We just have to work on the details,” said De Luna. Even prior to a proposed bilateral agreement on farmers’ training, SLAC has already been assigning technical experts to oversee Bangladesh’s hybrid rice seed production. SLAC’s technical assistance involves the overseas short term training program for three officers and one contract farmer of BADC per year. The Bangladesh mission also proposed to supply Philippines potato which is its major produce at more than $30 million export value yearly. Bangladesh exports potato to Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, among others. The Bangladesh delegation is also composed of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary Mustafa Kamal, Parliamentary Representative Bgd. Biswas Chhabi, Ministry of Agriculture Chief Seed Technologist Azim Uddin, and BADC Farm Manager Golam Kibria. In the same meeting, BADC signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Phase 2 of a seed production collaboration with SLAC. Signatories to the MOA are BADC Chairman Anwarul Islam Sikder and SLAC’s Lim. The MOA covers the next five years up to July 2019. The first phase of this collaborative agreement started in 2005. The seed production in Bangladesh was first conducted in Dattanagar Farm. The average seed yield is at 2.17 metric tons (MT) per hectare, a satisfactory yield for an AxR production – the crossing of male and female parents to produce the F1 hybrid seeds planted commercially by farmers. “This yield is found promising in the ecological condition of Bangladesh,” according to the MOA. The Philippines’ hybrid rice variety produced by SLAC, known to most farmers as SL-8H, has been approved by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Agriculture-National Seed Board. The first phase covered five years from July 2009 to July 2014. Under the MOA, SLAC will supply the parental lines of SL8H to BADC at the right time for seed production. BADC is not authorized to conduct the AxR seed production singly. . SLAC remains to have exclusive ownership of the variety SL-8H and its parental lines. SLAC is also supplying needed commodities in seed production including gibberelic acid, while BADC provides the production area, labor expense, material inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, harvest and post harvest provisions, financing for the production, transport facility for the working station, and budget for administrative expense. ### For any questions or interview requests, please contact 0999-573-7077 or 0917-671-1596.

The government has awarded 30 enterprising groups that successfully adopted technologies on reforestation while promoting industries and jobs in bamboo, Falcata, talaba (oysters), “tikog,” and “liyang.” The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ERDB-DENR) picked 30 top technology adopters as it celebrates its 30 years with the theme “Teknolohiyang Makakalikasan: Handog ng DENR-ERDB para sa Mamamayan.” “This is a validation of how ERDB technologies help improve lives of communities while protecting the environment. It is also a showcase of ERDB’s achievements in the last three decades since 1987,” said ERDB Executive Director Dr. Henry A. Adornado. The technology adopters were selected because of the sustainability of the technology and the benefits derived as reforestation projects contribute to carbon sequestration, biodiversity preservation, and environmental beautification. Awardees include private individuals, people’s organizations, nongovernment organizations, and local government units (LGU). These nature conservators were recognized for their accomplishments in planting bamboo; the fast-growing tree Falcata used in making plywood; mangroves that led to selling of talaba, and in propagating the plant specie tikog used in handicrafts-making. Among the awardees is the town Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur as aided by the PENRO (Provincial Environment & Natural Resources Office) of which has put up 1,357.25 hectares of Falcata plantations in Patin-ay. It sourced 77 kilos of improved Falcata seeds from the ERDB-run Mindanao Tree Seed Center (MTSC). These were distributed to 472 beneficiaries under the Upland Sustainable Agri-forestry Devt. Program (USAD). In Bukidnon, for widely distributing the giant bamboo species which are used as support for Mindanao’s export-oriented banana trees, Antonio Dominao was awarded by ERDB. Dominao was just a government laborer at the experimental and bamboo plantation of ERDB-DENR Region 10. Since 1987, he became interested as an adopter and established a bamboo nursery at his own residence in Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, Now his nursery sells 50,000 giant bamboo seedlings per month at P20 each, generating P1 million from it. Dominao was also recognized by the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (NOMCARRD) for having been government’s resource person on “Giant Bamboo Production” for seminars for non government organizations (NGOs). “The improvement of the socio-economic status of Dominao served as an eye opener to the community that inspired them to adopt also the technology (bamboo propagation),” according to ERDB’s Adreana Santos Remo. Dominao inspired requests for training on bamboo technology and even the demand for the reprinting several times of ERDB’s book “Technology Transfer Volume 10 No.1” on bamboo technology. A 50-hectare mangrove forestation project of the Balaring Mangrove Planters Assn (BAMPA) was awarded for also promoting talaba culture in Balaring, Silay City, Negros Occidental. With 35 members organized in 1990, BAMPA has planted mangrove species under a community-based project in 1991 under CARP-ISF (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-Integrated Social Forestry) of DENR-Region 6 (Iloilo City). It spun off a 4-hectare talaba culture livelihood program from an original one-plot (10mx10M) demonstration. At least 80 families now benefit from it. Aside from being a shelter belt of the barangay, the mangroves serve as fishpond, generating income for coastal residents. It even made Brgy. Balaring recognizable for tourists. Brgy. Balaring initiated the “Pagatpat Festival” as the area is also a depository and culture area for more than 10 other shells on top of the oyster. “Because of talaba culture farms, some residents were motivated to establish talabahan restaurants along the coastal area,” reported ERDB. For planting and weaving tikog, a plant species scientifically called Fimbristylis globulosa, the Tikog Workers Assn (TWA) from Brgy. Serum, Basey, Samar was recognized. Organized in 1990 with 30 grassroots residents, TWA members weave tikog leaves into mat and bags with admirable native design. In 2005, ERDB introduced tikog plantation techniques to ensure a stable source of weaving material as their supply of raw material dwindled. Tikog technology helped maintain at affordable level price the raw materials. This also promoted sustainable development of a natural and renewable resource. Planting tikog likewise enhanced cultivation of vacant lands—abandoned rice paddies. “Opportunity for local employment and livelihood is not only limited to mats and handicraft, but it also opened opportunity for farm labor, tikog stalks trading and transport sectors.” Another awardee from Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte is the San Jose Agroforestry Farmers Assn (SJAFA) which was recognized for creating jobs from bamboo as they make it into the special handicraft “liyang.” Liyang is a finely woven narrow container made of Bocaue bamboo species used for storage of rice and other food items. SJAFA members learned bamboo nursery establishment from ERDB. They are mostly vegetable farmers who also traded many goods like latundan and livestock. They practice bamboo propagation through culm cuttings. They planted bamboo to rehabilitate the Longaob River. ERDB’s Technology Transfer division collaborated with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 11 for skills training on liyang. The technique is also used in bag weaving for women members. “The members from Sitio Talos are handicraft maker/basket weaver and belong to Indigenous Peoples group of Ata-Manobo tribes,” said ERDB. Their bamboo finished products have been showcased in many trade fairs and exhibits. For their bamboo poles, the buyers are TADECO, Marsman, and North Davao Quarry Assn, generating additional income. “Women earn additional income from ‘liyang’ making priced at P100 to P150 per piece. Women produce 2-3 liyang per day.” For the bamboo seedling, they sell this at P15 each, P3 goes to the association and P12, to the member that raised the seedling. End (Growth Publishing for ERDB) PHOTO CAPTION: 1. Antonio Dominao, former ERDB labourer, now giant bamboo seedling entrepreneur. 2. Carolina Bamboo Garden 3. Falcata tree: made into plywood, veneer; Credit—pinoyhobbies 4. Falcata tree 5. Giant bamboo 6. Karagomoi as source of livelihood 7. Liyang as an income-generating handicraft 8. Mangrove reforestation in Negros Occidental that turned into ecotourism site talaba production center 9. Tikog workers show their harvest. OTHER AWARDEES 1. Diwata Farm is a co-operator of progeny trial establishment and government’s Industrial Tree Plantation (ITP) Production and Technology transfer. It developed a total of 60 hectares of Falcata farms from Mindanao Tree Seed Center (MTSC). 2. The LGU in Tagbina established a 2-hectare seedling seed orchard for Falcata in Dona Carmen, Tagbina, Surigao Del Sur. DENR’s DAO 99-13 has named Caraga Region a Forest Plantation Corridor even as a majority of 60-70% of the country’s wood production comes from Caraga (Agusan, Surigao provinces, Butuan). This industry helps a lot of small tree farms as 96.94% of total area of plantations in Caraga are held by small farmers. Falcata yield there has been at a low of 77.3 cu.m. per hectare due to poor physiological quality of seeds and poor plantation management. Through ERDB’s technology on selection of seed, planting stock production, they are able to raise productivity. Forest farmers attend ERDB’s training on seed tree technologies, nursery and plantation development, plantation management and protection, and Industrial Tree Plantation. 3. The Casinillo Nursery in Brgy. Fili, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur sourced 1.5 kilos of Falcata seeds from MTSC. It has been successful in tree planting since the Caraga Farmers and Environmental Developers Multipurpose Cooperative (CFED-MPC) members attended ERDB’s trainings on nursery development. CFED-MPC has become a cooperator in the Industrial Tree Plantation (ITP) technology transfer project in Caraga. CFED now disseminates its own book “How to Grow Falcata.” 4. The Carolina Bamboo Garden (CBG) by Kay G. Jimenez in San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal was put up in 1998. ERDB installed here a gene bank as conservation area for various bamboo species here. The CBG, a project with Majent Foundation Inc., was originally conceived as a center for bamboo information in Metro Manila. 5. Another product is the pagatpat that earned the award for the Pangapog Assn Inc. (PAI) of Brgy Tambo, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte. The project started as ERDB Region 11 extended to the PAI aid in rehabilitating Sanipaan Shoal. ERDB Staff Abdulrahman C. Damada taught the residents on pagatpat seedling production. He used a recovery chamber technology to produce pagatpat wildings. A 3-hectare area in Sanipaan Shoal was planted with pagatpat wildings raised in the recovery chamber. From raising pagatpat seedlings, each family earns on the average P3,000 to P5,000 a month. When picked up at the nursery, pagatpat seedling is sold at P20, and an additional P15 is added if the seedling is delivered to Sanipaan shoal by boat With the effort to grow pagatpat, Sanipaan shoal “vanishing island” is now an ecotourism learning destination. Women there raise an average of 200 potted pagatpat seedlings per day. Private firms – the Rotary Club of Davao and academic institutions -- also helped rehabilitate Sanipaan by adopting an area for them to plant mangrove. 6. The Kawayan Farm by CS First Green AGri Indl Devt Inc. was put up in 1980 as a reforestation project and for soil erosion prevention. It produces bamboo supplies for furniture and fishpens. 7. Another bamboo project is the clonal nursery in Camp 7 Non-Timber Planters (CNTP) MPC in Minglanilla, Cebu. With 29 members within the Osmena Reforestation Project, the Philippines’ oldest reforestation project, the CNTP MPC is a partner in conserving the remaining natural stand within the experimental forest. Its people trained on bamboo seedling production, clonal nursery management, and ecotourism. The clonal nursery uses vegetative propagated rootstocks in forest tree nurseries which is a cheap reproduction method for clonal stocks. It also guides visitors and caters food to them as part of ecotourism. As it manages a recycled waste display center, it sells souvenir items from recyclable materials to tourists. 8. In Iloilo, an awardee in bamboo planting is the Katilingban sang Pumuluyo nga naga Atipan sa Watershed sang Maasin (KAPAWA-MAASIN). It has 1,584 members and was a science & technology model farm on bamboo and woven products. Bamboo rehabilitation is done through site and stand identification, cleaning of clumps and unwanted generation, and pruning of old bamboo clumps in order to decongest planting areas. ERDB’s intervention is in helping produce good quality poles -- straight, with bigger diameter, doubled number of shoot emergence compared to unmanaged clumps, and well-distributed culms in the clump. “Bamboo produces more biomass when managed intensively; hence more carbon will be sequestered.” 9. Also in Iloilo, another awardee is the municipality of Maasin as its leader, Mayor Mariano Malones, believed in bamboo’s potential as a world class non-timber forest product. Maasin is now known as Iloilo’s bamboo capital as it makes numerous products from bamboo -- barbecue sticks, toothpick, charcoal. Also known for its bamboo festival called “Tultugan,” Maasin has a “green belt” area through its riparian areas (riverbanks) which are planted to bamboos that protect the town especially during strong typhoons. Maasin’s “Kawayan Kabuhi Sang Tanan” is a nursery program that grows bamboo seedlings. 10. For charcoal briquetting, ERDB awarded the Kalibo Save the Mangrove Assn (Kasama) of New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. With 197 members, it maintains the New Buswang Mangrove Ecopark in Kalibo. It produces charcoal briquette which has superior heating capacity and has longer useful life. Kasama’s profit from charcoal briquettes goes to more jobs creation in the Allen Salas Quimpo Bakhawan Eco-Park. “Charcoal briquetting becomes a source of pride as the only approved charcoal supplier in Aklan using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods,” said ERDB. Charcoal briquettes improve cost efficiency in the operation of local restaurants due to cheaper and more sustainable source of cooking fuel. It is even environmentally sustainable with the efficient use of biomass. Kasama tapped coastal families to produce and market green charcoal to alleviate poverty, promote respect for good environment and serve as a model for rural development. 11. The SEAMANCOR Ecodevelopers Assn Inc. led by Joselito Domdom implemented the Coastal Environment Program in Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon. This gave way to community-based enterprises that accomplished many family goals like successfully sending children to school through the production of shrimp and crabs. “The right mix of political will, scientific know-how, and people’s support sustain Prieto Diaz today,” said ERDB. 12. Another awardee in bamboo is the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (Soledad T. Prena) of Ligao City which has established a Bambusetum and kawayan tinik plantation. “Community participation results in wider technology adoption,” said ERDB on the success of Ligao City. 13. The FGAID in Sitio mapita, Laoag, Aguilar, Pangasinan was put up in 2014 for income generation for rural folks. 14. Another awardee, the Tuboran Elementary School (TES) in Mawab, Compostela Valley employed the use of coconut coir in combination with materials from Falcata, mahogany, narra, and African tulip. TES interplanted these tree species with forage peanut as they learned rehabilitation technologies for severely eroded area from ERDB. “Surface run-off gadgets were installed in the area to assess the combination of coco coir and vegetative measures. Run-off plots and catchment approach was used to measure the erosion rate.” Because of this effort, the town was able to save a P5 million worth building from losses from calamities that could have given away to landslide. This is why the town has supported replication of the technology in other landslide prone areas in Tuboran, Mawab, Davao del Norte. 15. For rattan, an awardee is the Evergreen Tree Planters Assn of Tandang Sora (ETPATS) in Gov Generoso, Davao Oriental. The ETPATS is a CARP-ISF beneficiary. ERDB has tied up with DTI to assist it on trainings on product development of 200 rattan gatherers. They are now into 27 years in the rattan industry. As they established an additional 5-hectare rattan plantation on top of their existing 25 hectares, they have stabilized supply of raw material for furniture and basket production. They also maximized land use through planting of Almaciga tree as host plant for their rattan plantation. Following after the model of Davao Bohol Trading, Resort Owners, and Fish Traders, they also put up a market for their baskets and hammock “duyan.” They earn a net income of P46,650 at the production rate of 50,000 palasan seedlings. 16. In Gov Generoso, Davao Oriental, the town was also awarded for their almaciga plantation and resin tapping technology. Through the Biodiversity Partnerships Project, ERDB extended training on inventory of almaciga trees to the municipality. ERDB taught locals sustainable methods of tapping Almaciga trees for resin production. ERDB helped institutionalize tappers’ certification, proper permitting, consolidation, inspection, management, trading and forest protection for the project of the Lumad Almaciga Tappers Association of Governor Generoso (LATAGG). “There was a significant increase in almaciga resin production yield with zero-minimal damage incurred on the tree. There was an increased participation of local communities in sustainable almaciga tapping. Increased income of almaciga tappers was P1,500 – 2,000 weekly,” reported ERDB. The residents also serve as forest guards. This is why timber poaching was minimized; almaciga trees and other forest tree species have been preserved. Very important, this project enhanced biodiversity conservation in the unprotected region of Mt. Apo, a key biodiversity area. 17. For the clonal propagation of Hi-QVAM 1 Technology, ERDB awarded the Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. that put up a plant clonal propagation facility and the THPAL Nursery. 18. For anahaw production, awardee is the Lesnianas of Pinagbobong, Tabaco, Albay. Through anahaw, the Lesnianas were able to send all eight children to school. They also used raffias (young leaves) for making fans and decorative items. Mature anahaw leaves when bundled also have applications in making roofing materials for huts and houses. 19. Another awardee is the Manaet Tanagan Farmers Assn Inc. They have adopted ERDB’s technology on leaf production and processing of karagomoi, scientifically called Pandanus simplex which is used for weaving mats and handicrafts. Karagomoi products are the source of livelihood of island barangays in Bacacay, Albay. But since the town is visited now and then by strong typhoons and winds, their livelihood from Karagomoi has been adversely affected. Using ERDB’s prescribed planting distance, a 25-hectare plantation was put up for Karagomoi in Brgys. Manet and Tanagan in Bacacay. Intercropping was made—Karagomoi and anahaw; Karagomoi and tigergrass; and Karagomoi and crops. ERDB taught them techniques on seed collection and planting and maintenance, harvesting, leaf processing, drying, and flattening, weaving into products, product marketing of the mat and handicrafts. (Growth Publishing for ERDB) For any questions or interview requests, please contact 0929-715-8669, 0917-102-6734

There is more to the soybean than just the simple bean we know. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by UDel Carvel REC [/caption] Soybean was a wild plant growing from five to six feet tall with large physical structure and few seeds and primarily used as forage crop. It was the Chinese that domesticated it. Called "Wu Ku" in ancient China, soybean was considered as one of the five sacred grains, with rice, wheat, barley, and millet among the others, and was sown with great ceremony by the emperors. It was first domesticated in the 11th century B.C in the eastern half of North China. The cultivated soybean was introduced to Korean then into Japan. It reached the United States through the seeds brought by Samuel Bowen, a seaman, from China via England and was first planted in Georgia in 1725. It made its way to the Philippines in the 17th century. It became an important food crop only in the 1920s. In describing the soybean, Peter Marshall and Dan Imhoff said that, it is only now that the soybean is understood. It is a plant of complexity and contradiction. It possesses the characteristics of both animal protein and fuel oil; can be rendered into a meat like fiber at the same time a cow like milk. Sometimes it is referred to as "Cow of China," While it can provide low vegetable protein, it is also the mainstay of the livestock feed industry. The soybean is relatively a self-sufficient crop possessing the soil enriching properties of leguminous plants-the ability to draw nitrogen from the air and transfer this to the roots. The soybean can be turned into many products such as soy flour for bakery products, soy protein extracts, defatted soy flakes, soy meat, soy concentrates, so isolates and full fat flour. From soy fatted flour, a cheap meat substitute for bacon can be made. A non-dairy ice cream which is a blend of tofu, soy milk, and other soy protein is a favorite of weight watchers in the U.S. Shortages in printing ink in the 1990s led to the quest for an alternative and soy oil was singled out 2000 other plant formulations. The printers found this to be relatively inexpensive, had acceptable viscosity that allowed pigments to show through more sharply and brilliantly. By 1997, one third of U.S. newspapers used longer and is easier to clean up. Soybean oil is also used to produce rigid urethane foam and soy protein can be used to improve the properties of polyurethane foams, increasing their strength, flame resistance and their biodegradability. Now, I can associate what the painter of our house was saying when he extolled the virtues of polioritin, which at that time I did not understand. But my chemical engineer son came to the rescue and told me that what the painter was saying was polyurethane coating, the floor does not burn. In an article by Dr. Harry Synder of the Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA), soybean is a valuable part of the world's food supply and the systems that produce and deliver food. The production has grown rapidly and while it is widespread, soybeans is mostly produced in temperate countries with the United States producing half of the total followed by Brazil, China, and Argentina. The Philippines cannot produce its own soybeans needs and so it is the biggest importer of U.S soybean meal and the import is increasing. Our country buys about 300,000 tons of soybeans and the three soybean crushing companies import one million metric tons of soy meal yearly for the poultry and swine industry. And then, if one considers the food products that we are buying from the U.S. then we are importing more. Soybean is said to be present in 60 percent of processed food eaten everyday. Now, I remember the puddling noise similar to washing clothes by the women in the community where I lived but that was three decades ago. They do not plant this crop anymore. Why can't soybean be produced in our country? If this is an off-season crop, a crop after rice, then maybe it can take the place of tobacco or a part of the tobacco areas. Five regions had been growing tobacco in the country so this is a big area for soybean. Aside from generating income, it also helps in breaking the pest and disease cycle associated with continuous cropping of the same crop. Cagayan Valley is a producer of soybean in the country but only planted for its nitrogen-fixing nodule that enriches the soil for rice production. Isabela has tried making ice cream using soy milk as base. The problems identified for soybean are not on the production aspect but on postharvest-physical injuries to the seeds, lack of drying facilities and lack of market. With the global demand and the manifold uses of the crop, could lack of market be a problem? #### By: Virginia A. Duldulao, Ph.D, BAR Chronicle, June 2002 Issue (Vol. 3 No. 11-12)

Yes, chipped branches of the  Alnus tree can be used in growing Shiitake mushrooms. This was found in a study on  “Using chipped Alnus as substrate for Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) in growing bags” conducted by Dr. Bernard S.Tad-awan, a professor  from the College of Agriculture of the Benguet State University. Alnus spp. is a common [&hellip

A 50-hectare hybrid rice model farm will be put up to help rehabilitate Marawi City in a partnership of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and SL Agritech Corp. (SLAC).

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by Stefan Munder [/caption]

Provincial agriculturists within the Lanao del Sur are now identifying a contiguous land area in irrigated lands for the model-demonstration farm in Marawi, the biggest city in Lanao del Sur.

The model farm eyed is relatively big and may require a production cost of around P30,000 per hectare.   Traditionally, technology demonstration sites only cover one to two  hectares. However, in Marawi City, a bigger model farm appears to be necessary in relation to the despair and destruction of the city after going through the ravages of a five-month war, believed to be the longest in the country.

“We want to bring the message to the people of Marawi that there’s hope.  SL Agritech will put in the money for this techno-demo to inspire hope,” said SL AGritech Corp. Chairman Henry Lim Bon Liong.

SLAC is carrying out the hybrid rice planting in coordination with Go Negosyo, the  city government, and the Department of Agriculture.

“Go Negosyo has asked SL to participate in the economic rehabilitation,” Lim said.

Marawi City, also known as a summer capital of the South, has predominantly cooler weather because of its higher elevation.

It is not much of a rice farming location, but there are farmers growing traditional rice varieties. The company sees its role in Marawi’s rehabilitation as an expansion of an earlier agricultural investment in likewise conflict-affected Maguindanao where it also put up a model farm.

On top of the technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of inputs (seeds, fertilizers)  to be extended to Marawi City farmers, the project will link them to markets that will buy the produce.

The project will ensure that irrigation is provided to the farm despite the fact that uplands traditionally do not enjoy large irrigation supply from national irrigation systems.

“We will educate farmers here on proper farm management because some rice fields in these areas are plagued by pests (weeds and disease).We will be sending our technical experts to help them achieve a good yield,” said SLAC Consultant Dr. Frisco M. Malabanan.

The extent of damage in the war in Marawi is requiring a tremendous amount of rehabilitation placed by expert at a range of P20 billion to as much as P150 billion.

Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said earlier the rebilitation may last for three years.  Before 2017 ends, Department of Budget and Management will have released P5 billion for Marawi’s repair from the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Program.

The establishment of a hybrid rice model farm is part of SLAC’s support not only for infrastructure rehabilitation but economic restoration in Marawi.

Government leaders have expressed optimism on the speedy economic recovery in Marawi given cessation of conflict.

“We expect investor confidence to strengthen further and the economy to grow even faster now that the conflict has been virtually resolved and the government has started raising spending on infrastructure and human capital development, which will supercharge growth and create more jobs for our people," Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said earlier. (Growth Publishing for SL Agritech Corp)

For any questions or interview requests, please contact 0929-715-8669, 0917-102-6734 (Growth Publishing for SLAC)

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sp.) are a delicious and nourishing food, with a nutritional value similar to that of meat or fish. This technology makes full use of rice straw, a common crop residue which might otherwise have no economic value. Preparing the Straw The straw should be soaked in a container of limewater. The limewater contains 2 kg of slaked lime per 100 kg dry straw, with as much water added as is needed to just cover the straw. The straw is left in the limewater for half an hour, so that it is thoroughly soaked. The straw is then piled up on a cement floor and covered with plastic or sacking. The top of the pile should be left uncovered. The straw is left to ferment for 7 - 10 days. During this time, it will begin to ferment and become hot. The straw is turned once every three days, first from the top downwards, then from the bottom upwards, then from the inside outwards, and finally from the outside inwards. The moisture content of the straw can be checked by rolling a handful of straw into a ball and squeezing it tightly. If your hand is wet, the straw has the proper moisture content. If your hand remains dry, you should add more water. Bagging and Culturing the Spawn Preparing the Spawn Mushroom spawn must be purchased commercially, unless it is provided by an extension center. Around 2.5 to 3.0 kg of spawn are needed for 100 kg of straw. Open the container and press it gently, to make sure all the spawn has been emptied out. You can improve the germination rate by mixing the spawn with rice husk, at a ratio of 1:1. Filling the Bags Plastic bags measuring 20 x 30 cm, or 18 x 25 cm, are used as mushroom beds. Open the bag and put a handful of straw inside it. Press the straw down tightly, to make a layer 3 - 5 cm thick at the bottom of the bag. Spread the spawn/rice husk mixture around the edges of this layer (but don't put any in the middle). This makes the first straw-spawn layer. Continue to add 3 - 4 additional layers in the same way until you have nearly filled the bag. Put a final layer of straw on top, so the top of this final layer is 5 - 7 cm below the mouth of the bag. Put a clean piece of cotton in the mouth of the bag. This makes a ventilation hole, and filters out harmful microoganisms. Then close the mouth of the bag with a rubber band. Tie the bags each to other with nylon rope (3 - 5 bags per rope) and hang them in the mushroom house. The mouth of each bag should be pointing upwards. The bags should not touch each other, but should be a few centimeters apart. The Mushroom Crop Looking after the Bags The bags should be covered, sheltered from wind and light, but with good ventilation. After 25 - 30 days, mycelium will develop throughout the bag. Use a sharp knife to cut 4 - 6 slits in the sides of the bag. Each slit should be 3 - 5 cm long, and an equal distance from the other slits. The cuts should not be in a line around the bag, as this will weaken the bag. After the bags have been cut, they should be sprayed with water two or three times a day to keep the mushrooms moist. Be careful not to give them too much water. No water should collect inside the bag. Take the cotton out of the mouth of the bag and suspend the bags on a wire or rope, with the mouth of the bag pointing downwards. Soon the mushrooms will begin to appear in the slits, looking like small round buttons. As soon as these begin to appear, move the bag to the growing/harvesting area. The bags should be placed 7 - 10 cm apart. Harvesting the Mushrooms The first oyster mushrooms can be harvested 7 - 10 days after the bag is cut. After the mushroom are harvested, stop spraying water for several days. When the button mushrooms begin to appear again, begin to spray the water again. This cycle can be repeated three or four times, giving a total harvest of 50 - 80 kg (fresh weight) of oyster mushrooms from 100 kg of straw. Cooperating agency for this topic: Department of Agriculture and Forestry Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam Fax: (84 4) 823 6403, 2002-05-01 Source: agnet.org

Rose (Rosa sp) is described as the queen of all flowers because of its beauty and form. In the Philippines, it is one of the favorite flowers because of its varied colors, fragrance, and long lasting quality. It is considered one of the world's oldest and decorative horticultural plants. This is evident from the widespread interest in it as a home garden flower and from the national popularity as a cut-flower for all occasions. Type of Roses Floribunda - about 1.5 to 2.0 feet high, prolific, either single of cluster in one stem. Hybrid tea - about 3 to 6 feet tall that produce large flowers. Grandiflora - resembles tall floribunda with flowers as big as hybrid tea but much larger than floribunda. Miniatures - sometimes called pitiminies, which are very short, bushy and profusely producing tiny button sized flowers. Cultural Management Methods of propagation Cutting Marcotting/Inarching Budding Grafting Soil Requirement Roses thrive well in clay loam soil enriched with high organic matter. In potted roses, a soil mixture of 1:1 part manure, soil and compost can be effectively used. Water requirements The plants should be watered early in the day and late in the afternoon to prevent the incidence of fungal diseases. The soil must be kept moist to increase vegetative growth and reduce the incidence of nonflowering shoots. Fertilizer requirements Organic fertilizer and complete fertilizers are basally applied into individual holes prior to planting. Ammonium fertilizers are also applied on roses. Climatic Requirements Roses grow well in areas where day temperature is 24 - 28°C and night temperature is 15 - 18°C. An increase in temperature affects the flower development of roses: Flower color has the tendency to fade. The number of petals drops. The stem length decreases. Pinching Pinching is done to coincide with the peak demands for the production of long stemmed blooms. Bending Bending is done six weeks after planting to increase the number of flowered stem. It is also done when the shoots are not so good, when there is enough shoots and leaves and done near the grafting point. Pruning Pruning is the cutting off or removal of unwanted stems and branches to rejuvenate the plant and improve its yield. Harvesting For distant market, only the unfurled flowers should be harvested. For the nearby markets, the fully bloomed flowers should be harvested. Pest Control Aphids, mealy bugs, spiders scales and ants usually infect roses. Spraying roses with malathion, decis, tamaron, thiodan, folidol, karate and other insecticide could be used. Black spot is a common disease of roses. The infected leaves and stems should be removed and burned. Spraying with fungicide should be done. Post Harvest Handling Sorting and Grading The flowers are immediately sorted and graded according to sizes: Class A - larger flower with long stem Class B - medium sized flower Class C - small flower with short stem Reference: Bureau of Plant Industry Technoguides Source: bar.gov.ph

A native plant from Central and South America, dragon fruit (Hylocereussp ) or “pitaya” is gaining its popularity in the Philippine market. The plant is adapted to tropical or arid climates with rainfall of 30-40 inch and any kind of soil with organic matter. The fruits with red or pink, leathery skin are eaten by spooning out the flesh, or in slices. Fruits can be processed to juice, ice cream or wine. The beautiful flowers, only blooming at night, are used for tea or aroma therapy. Fruits are healthy (high in vitamin C, fibers, anti-oxidants) and nutritious. It strengthens the human immune system and is used in the treatment of diabetes. Medicine made from flower and stem promotes blood circulation. Therefore, Dragon Fruit can be marketed as a prestigious “health food”. The potential of dragon fruit is bright because it commands a very high price in the local market; it costs around P120-150 per kilo. In a demo of a three-year old dragon fruit farm, it can produce 5-6 t/ha with a value of P720,000 in the local market alone. Considering its current demand, it is no wonder that dragon fruit is now dubbed as the new money crop—truly, a high revenue earner for farmers/producers. Sweet Dragon Fruit (Pitayas) come in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin: Hylocereus undatus (Pitaya blanca or White-fleshed Pitaya) has red-skinned fruit with white flesh. This is the most commonly seen "dragon fruit". Hylocereus costaricensis (Pitaya roja or Red-fleshed Pitaya, also known as Hylocereus polyrhizus) has red-skinned fruit with red flesh. Hylocereus megalanthus (Pitaya amarilla or Yellow Pitaya, also known as Selenicereus megalanthus) has yellow-skinned fruit with white flesh. Propagating Dragon fruit: Site Selection: Dragon fruit must be planted in an open field with direct exposure to sunlight. It is not conducive to plant the crop in areas where rainfall is well distributed. Site should be free draining with a sandy loam soil with a high organic content. Ground Preparation: Rows or individual sites are mounded to 300 mm, poles should be no more than 2 m long with 600mm in the ground. Poles can be anything from concrete to PVC, (but treated timber should be avoided) with a frame attached to the top to allow the plant to hang down. The recommended planting distance is three meters between posts and four meters between rows. Proper distance of planting is important since a narrower spacing gives quicker production than larger spacing. Red flesh pitaya prefers to grow on a trellis or fence line. Planting Material: Dragon Fruit is propagated through seeds or cuttings. From seeds, it grow well in a compost or potting soil mix - even as a potted indoor plant. Dragon fruit (Pitaya) cacti usually germinate between 11 and 14 days after shallow planting. As they are cacti, overwatering is a concern for home growers. As their growth continues, these climbing plants will find something to climb on, which can involve putting aerial roots down from the branches in addition to the basal roots. Once the plant reaches a mature 10 pounds in weight, the plant may flower. From the cuttings, plant them in plastic bags for two months and transfer them in an open field. Cuttings can be purchased from some local commercial nurseries and pitaya growers. Seedlings are too variable for commercial production. Irrigation: Water daily through the dry at a volume of 80 L/day, regular organic mulching is strongly recommended. Water stress can cause fruit splitting; slow shoot development, yellowing and flower drop. Under tree sprinklers with a 1 -1.5 m diameter wetting area to concentrate water into root zone are suitable. Nutrition: A combination of organic and complete fertilizer (14-14-14) and urea (46-0-0). Use more organic and more nitrogen. The ideal is to apply fertilizer every 3 months if possible or every six months. Use 2 kg of organic + 25 g urea + 75 g complete fertilizer per plant. Pests: Meat ants, ginger ants, and birds have been recorded as causing serious damage to plants and fruit. Plants will need some form of netting to prevent bird damage to fruit. Diseases: A soft watery rot can occur after damage such as sunburn. Pruning: Regularly prune them to obtain an open, manageable, and productive umbrella shape canopy. Also, it is important to prune right after harvesting the fruits. Regular pruning will induce new shoots for the next cropping season. Harvest: After establishing the plant in the field, it would take around 26 months to bear fruits. Harvest must be done 35-40 days after the flower opening. Fruit can be harvested approximately 28 days after fruit set when there is a colour change from green to 85% pink. Fruit harvested with a red skin colour are generally larger and sweeter. Post Harvest: Fruit will keep for two to three months in a cool room at 7-10ºC and 90-98% relative humidity. For more information, please contact Mr. Noel T. Estellena, senior agriculturist, Department of Agriculture Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research Center (DA-SMIARC), Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District, Davao City at tel. no. (082) 293-0109 or (082) 293-0136 or e-mail atsmiarc@yahoo.com Sources: Rita T. dela Cruz. Improved production technology for pitaya. Bar Chronicle. March 2009 Volume 10 Issue No. 3 pp. 14-15. shelf3d.com/i/pitaya Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) Hylocereussp. Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service Growing Note. Pitaya (Dragon Fruit). Gerry McMahon, Senior Technical Officer, DPIFM Darwin. www.nt.gov.au/dpifm

Malnutrition continues to be a public health issue in the Philippines affecting infants and school children. In a national survey conducted in 2008 by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), approximately 3.35 million (26.2 percent) infants and children ages 0-5 years old are underweight, while 3.57 million (27.9 percent) are underheight. Meanwhile, around 2.58 million (25.6 percent) and 33.34 million (33.1 percent) children ages 6-10 years old are underweight and underheight, respectively. The increasing prevalence continues unless the issue of malnutrition has been fully addressed. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by adactio [/caption]

Corn as highly nutritious staple food

Corn has always been tagged as “poor man’s rice” due to its popularity as an alternative staple food for Filipinos. Although seen as food for the less privileged, corn has high nutritional value. It is rich in protein, fat, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals including folate, iron, niacin, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Corn also contains two essential amino acids, lysine and tryptophan, which provide numerous health benefits. Lysine is important in various body functions such as production of antibodies, hormones and enzymes, bone and muscle development, tissue repair, calcium absorption, nitrogen balance and collagen formation. Tryptophan is also an essential amino acid which cannot be synthesized in the body and therefore must be part of the diet. It plays two vital functions such as in serotonin and niacin synthesis. Further, tryptophan is the precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin which is important for brain functions and related regulatory mechanism such as those involving appetite, sleep patterns, and mood. Since tryptophan has the ability to raise serotonin levels, it is used to treat conditions like insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Just like lysine, tryptophan is also essential for normal growth and development of infants specifically in the brain maturation as well as the neurobehavioral regulations of food intake and satiation.

Combating malnutrition through quality protein corn

Dr. Artemio M. Salazar and his team from the Institute of Plant Breeding of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB-IPB) bred and developed the QPM Var 6, also known as High Lysine and Tryptophan Corn in 2000. According to Dr. Salazar, they have acquired Quality Protein Maize (QPM) because they have found out that it improved the nutritional status and health of poor Africans. Based on R&D initiatives, it was found out that QPM Var 6 contains 66.2 percent more lysine than the regular white corn. It also contains more tryptophan and protein content and has more dietary fiber, minerals, and anti-oxidants than rice alone. Realizing the huge potential of QPM in addressing malnutrition among actively growing children, Dr. Salazar and his team conducted further studies to enhance the development of better quality, genetically stable, and highly nutritious corn varieties through utilization of advanced equipment and facilities. Thus, they initiated a project titled, “Enhancing Nutritional and Grain Qualities of White Corn for Food: Updates on Promotional Activities for White QPM (Quality Protein Maize),” which was funded by BAR. The project started in July 2011 with the aim to develop white corn open-pollinated varieties (OPV) which are high yielding and to develop improved nutritional and eating qualities. Specifically, the project aims to: 1) improve the eating quality of the present high protein quality corn by monitoring the level of different starch components using near infra red spectroscopy, 2) enhance the effectiveness of selection for higher lysine and tryptophan content in the high protein quality corn breeding population using molecular markers and near infra red spectroscopy, 3) monitor the level of different endosperm components related to nutritional feature of flint corn as food grain, and 4) develop inbred lines with improved nutritional quality using molecular markers technology.

Promoting quality protein corn

In an effort to promote the nutritional benefits of rice-corn blend as well as to identify the beneficiaries’ level of acceptance, the UPLB-IPB, in collaboration with the UPLB-College of Human Ecology (CHE), conducted a series of feeding programs in public schools. Among them were: Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City and Bernardo N. (BN) Calara Elementary School in Los Baños, Laguna. Feeding Program in BN Calara Elementary School started from 26 November 2012 to 18 March 2013. Participants were composed of 140 students, both male and female who are classified as malnourished. The students were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (70 students) who were fed with rice and viand during lunch time; and Group 2 (70 students) who were fed with rice IPB Var 6 corn, 50:50 and viand during lunch time from Monday to Friday. Before the actual feeding program and two weeks thereafter, weight, height and Mean under Arm Circumference (MUAC) were measured. Meals were also measured and served in terms of its content and calorie value. The activity was supervised with the help of B.S. Nutrition graduates from UPLB. According to Dr. Salazar, students’ academic performances and active participations were also checked and monitored by the school teachers. Significant findings of the feeding program included higher weight gains in children fed with rice composites compared with rice alone. Further, higher weight increases were more significant among younger children specifically from Kindergarten to Grade 4. The group fed with pure rice-corn blend gained an average of 1.82 kilograms compared to the 1.49 kilograms of the group fed with pure rice only. Also, rice-corn blend/rice composite with 50:50 ratio is indeed acceptable by the children. To date, this activity has been continually supported not only by barangay officials but also by Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). BN Calara Elementary School has been continuously conducting the feeding program and is managed by the PTA President. According to Mrs. Lita C. Cortez, PTA president, the students who joined the feeding program have increased their weight. “Meron ngang iba, nag-overweight pa,” Mrs. Cortez testified. Another relevant feedback was the consistent initiative and cooperation among PTA members wherein mothers with healthy child are also actively helping during the feeding program. Also, the PTA president said that they are going to distribute the remaining packs of IPB Var 6 corn varieties to students on their Recognition Day. Due to this popular and successful promotional activity, Dr. Art and the rest of his team are planning to extend the coverage of the feeding program. “We are planning to implement the feeding program in Los Baños, Laguna or even nationwide,” he said. ### By: Liza Angelica D. Barral

---------- References: 1. 7th National Nutrition Survey: 2008, Anthropometric Survey Component, Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) 2. Barroga-Jamias, Serlie, True Grit from Corn Grits: Food of the Champions Pacman Promotes Protein-Rich Corn as Rice Supplement, Horizon, Vol. 2 No. 1, January-March 2014, p 12-15 3. Salazar, Artemio A., Update on Promotional Activities for White QPM, Presentation at Hillcreek Garden, Barangay Sikat, Alfonso, Cavite, 20 Nov 2013 4. What are the Benefits of L Tryptophan? By Lucy D’Berry, Demand Media, retrieved from www.healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-l-tryptophan-6668.html