In Barangay Cruz, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, a small backyard garden grows different heirloom varieties. The garden is cared for by Joanne C. De Guzman, a 34-year-old stay-at-home parent to four children, the youngest of whom is only eight months old as of the interview. She runs the household...
Joanne C. De Guzman, 34, took a liking to gardening after leaving her job as a music and arts teacher to be a full-time mom. De Guzman began seeking comfort from plants at a time when she needed them the most. It was in 2018 when she and her husband agreed that she should stay at home to care for...
Many Filipinos rely on agriculture for food, income, and beyond, especially those that live in landlocked municipalities. However, in recent years, local farmers have been suffering severely from the low prices of palay after it dropped due to the pandemic and implementation of the Rice...
Bamboo ( Bambusoideae ) is a grass that is often misidentified as a tree because of its tree-like appearance. It is a fast-growing grass with lots of functions ranging from food sources to construction material. One company that recognizes the value of bamboo is Bambu Salubre. Bambu is a Malay word...
Agriculture is the primary livelihood of many families in the Philippines. However, with many local farmers already reaching middle age, the government continues to encourage Filipino youth to participate in agriculture. One young farmer that shares the same goal is Gwenneth R. Brillo, 24,...
Demand for greenery during the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased as many Filipinos yearn for nature after being cooped up at home for so long. Plants have been helping gardeners deal with the pandemic stress and fear. Plants are also a livelihood for others, allowing them to get through...
Having good soil, a strategic plan, and the right people are some of the crucial factors that must be in sync for farm operations to run smoothly, especially during times of difficulty. Bryan John Dizon, 38, the owner of Javenri Harvest Farm, is one person who can attest to this. Dizon...
There are innumerable farms across the country, some have failed, while others have thrived. Some choose to take the conventional route, while others have advanced on practicing natural or organic farming. Speaking of organic, compared to traditional or natural farming, being organic requires...
The province of Zambales is widely recognized for its sweet mangoes. Found in between the towns of San Marcelino and San Antonio in Zambales, Rosa Farms has been growing mangoes since the early 2000s. This 12.5-hectare farm, as the owners say, “is home to 888 mango trees, most of...
George Allen M. Callora, 28, an agripreneur from Davao City, is a fan of anything spicy. In hopes of consuming spicier chilies, he collected seeds of superhot chili varieties from different parts of the world and grew them in containers. George Callora, 28, is a full-time agripreneur...
Countless indigenous vegetables deserve to be acknowledged, yet many of them are forgotten, underutilized, or driven to extinction. According to Dr. Lorna E. Sister of the Institute of Crop Science (ICropS) under the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) of the University of the...
Dragon fruit ( Hylocereus undatus ), also referred to as pitaya or pitahaya, is a tropical fruit that belongs to the cactus family. It is popular for its oblong fruits that come in colors red, yellow, or pink. Aside from its unique appearance, it is also packed with health benefits and can...
