By JAMES TABABA The Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice) is a government agency under the Department of Agriculture that is mandated to help develop high yielding and cost-reducing technologies for farmers, leading to rice security for Filipinos. Their mission is to improve the...
By JAMES TABABA In the previous article, the biological management practices for pest control were discussed. Here, the potential risk of chemical pesticide misuse will be explained. Other chemical methods of pest control besides pesticides will be also introduced. READ: Introduction to Integrated...
By James Tababa Jennie Lizza Pineda, 29, is the owner of Sunshine Ae L’s Quail Farm in Sta. Ana, Pampanga. A mother of two kids, it is important for her to have multiple sources of income to support her family. She is currently the secretary of Sta. Ana Agricultural Multi-Purpose Cooperative and...
Image by Egor Myznik/ Unsplash Intensified meat production has been the solution to the increasing demand for food. It involves the production of meat in the most efficient method by keeping animals in confined environments and adding more inputs such as machinery and antibiotics. Even though...
Image by Stephan und Tina Forstmann/Pixabay A team of researchers built a wearable monitoring device powered by cows' movement. The device monitors the health, location, and environment of cows. It is designed to help with food safety and efficiency as it requires less cost than installing a...
Maliwat holding the hive frame and hive tool which houses European bees. Hive tool is the hand-held tool used to scrape propolis and break apart colonies. (John Patrick Maliwat) By JAMES TABABA John Patrick Maliwat is a bee farmer from Nagcarlan, Laguna. He was a tricycle driver for four years...
Image by Mark Stebnicki/Pexels Agriculture in cities is becoming more common in response to achieving food self-sufficiency. Data suggests that 15 to 20 percent of the global food is already produced in cities. A recent study found that cucumbers, tubers, lettuces, and other crops that are...
Image from Pexels Space breeding involves the production of a new variety of crops by sending seeds into space and exposing the seed to radiation and microgravity in the hope of inducing a mutation. Some preferred mutations for rice production are increased yield, early maturing, and resistance to...
Image by Felix Mittermeier/Pixabay The use of heavy machinery and the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides to increase production have become the cause of soil loss and degradation. Furthermore, disturbing the soil from intensive tillage releases stored carbon dioxide as a greenhouse air in...
Pigs in their wallowing pond (Rico Ecunar) By James Tababa Swine production is one of the main livestock businesses here in the Philippines. Even though there are several cases of African Swine Fever that threatens the Philippine swine industry, it is still a profitable business because of the high...
Rico Ecunar with a satisfied customer on their 300 pesos pork campaign (Rico Ecunar) By James Tababa Rico Ecunar was almost persuaded to follow his family’s tradition of becoming medical nurses. Still, he saw the potential to improve the swine production business that his parents had already...
Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels Fruits and vegetables are perishable agricultural products. Agricultural products should be immediately transported to the nearest market to ensure freshness and prevent unwanted food waste. According to the United Nations, about 40 percent of food produced in...
