A contender for the world’s largest potato could have taken the record if it was only really a potato. DNA testing showed that the supposed potato was actually something of a mix between a tuber and gourd. The supposed potato was unearthed in a garden by a couple from Hamilton, New Zealand in...
Former three-term Senator Loren Legarda has called on the country’s economic managers to ensure food security by helping Filipino farmers and fisherfolk. Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda This, as the current House deputy speaker from Antique cited possible repercussions of a looming shortage of...
By Julius Barcelona The common name “fruit fly” is very widely used for a number of different flies under the taxonomic order of flies: Diptera. In general, what is known as the “common fruit fly” are species under the family Drosophilidae: Drosophilidae melanogaster . The common...
Summer is here! Go ahead, grab some ice and look out for these abundant crops that you must savor in this hot weather. Mango ( Mangifera indica ) Dubbed the Philippine national fruit, mango is the third most important fruit crop in the country. It is in season from March to June, so consume...
By Winfried Scheewe Severe weather events triggered by climate change such as drought are expected to increasingly affect coconut production. As explained in the articles Coconut farms and climate change: what is at stake and what can be done? , and Coconut palms under climate stress , the...
Many Filipinos who have chosen to live outside the Philippines have found a way to bring a little piece of home with them by planting Filipino vegetables. Others take advantage of their new climate to plant the kind of garden one sees in Western picture books. This couple based in Japan has the...
The question of whether or not to start gardening in a cramped space is familiar among city dwellers. However, space does not necessarily have to restrict one from growing things or pursuing urban farming. There are a plethora of vegetables and fruits that you can choose from or begin with...
It’s no secret that the Philippine agriculture industry is in need of positive changes if it aims to become robust enough to provide stakeholders with a viable source of income as well as ensure that the country is food secure. To this end, the Department of Agriculture (DA) enlisted the help of...
The development of ready-to-drink (RTD) juice from indigenous crops yacon, green carabao mango, and mint essence received funding and technical support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). (DOST/ MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) DOST, in a press statement, said that the initiative is a...
New year, new fruits to reap! With the abundance of crops in the Philippines all year round, keeping track of which ones are already in season can be difficult. Fret not! We’ve listed a few crops that are in season during the first quarter of the year to keep you posted. Dalanghita ( Citrus...
Spinach is one popular vegetable that people love eating in salads, stews, and more. The vegetables are also well-loved because of their versatility, which is evident in the different species that they come in. A similar vegetable with the same versatility is the Malabar spinach ( Basella...
Many Filipinos are familiar with pandan ( Pandanus tectorius ) because it’s a key ingredient in a popular local dessert known as buko pandan. Pandan is also used in savory dishes as a garnish because it adds an alluring aroma. Some even add it to their rice to make it more aromatic and taste...
