By Henrylito D. Tacio The past decades have seen Filipino farmers using commercial fertilizer because they believe it will augment their income. They are told that by using synthetic fertilizer on their crops, production from their farm will be boosted. Unknowingly, commercial fertilizer is an...
(Alicia Christin Gerald/Pexels) Microbial inoculants are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to chemical fertilizers for enhancing soil health and promoting plant growth. Microbial inoculants are an effective and sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers for enhancing soil health...
Gibberellin applications have been shown to increase fruit size, reduce cluster compactness, and improve fruit quality in grapes. (congerdesign/Pixabay) Plant growth hormones, also known as plant growth regulators, play an important role in the growth and development of plants. These hormones are...
Tomato plants can benefit from artificial pollination, especially in greenhouse settings where natural pollinators may not be present or sufficient. (Martinez Gonzalez/Pexels) Pollination is the process by which pollen grains from the male part of a flower are transferred to the female part of the...
Senator Cynthia Villar (Senate PRIB) Senator Cynthia Villar cited the need to promote high-value crop production after noting that the country’s agricultural sector was still hampered by limited diversity and low productivity. She said there have only been a few successful high-value...
Bamboo is a widely distributed plant in the Philippines and is considered one of the country's versatile non-timber forest products as it is commonly used for construction purposes, furniture, handicrafts, and as an ingredient in Filipino cuisine. Bamboo has been gaining popularity in recent years...
Here are five crops you can grow in the hot summer month of April. Hyacinth bean/Bataw ( *Lablab purpureus* ) Hyacinth bean, locally known as bataw, is a legume grown for its young tender pods, young leaves, or mature seeds that are used in cooking. Some farmers use the hyacinth bean as fodder for...
Bananas are classified as climacteric fruits, as they produce ethylene gas during the ripening process which triggers the fruit to ripen even after it has been harvested. (Yoendry Prieto/Pexels) There are several reasons why someone might want to hasten the ripening process of fruits or vegetables....
Cover crops protect the soil during periods when the field is not in use for crop production. (Artur Roman/Pexels) Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that focuses on rebuilding soil health, promoting biodiversity, and reducing the use of synthetic inputs. Regenerative agriculture...
By Henrylito D. Tacio Filipino cuisine has been gaining recognition on the world stage, and just like any other cuisine, there are some secrets to it. One of those secrets is black pepper, known locally as paminta. Adobo, touted to be the country’s food icon, is one of the Filipino dishes that...
Knowing the maturity indices can help retailers and consumers to identify when vegetables are at their freshest and most nutritious. (Kampus Production/Pexels) It is essential to know when crops are ready for harvest. If harvested too early, the produce may not reach its full potential in terms of...
Safe food processing practice in food factory (Mark Stebnic/Pexels) The food we eat is essential for our health and wellbeing, but the presence of toxic substances in our food can pose significant risks to human health. These toxins can come from a variety of sources, including agricultural...
