Viola Fern U. Sebastian, 54, and her partner Frianina ‘Nina’ V. Resplandor, 52, used to practice their respective careers before life ushered them to a path toward agriculture. Breaking into a different industry isn’t easy. Sebastian, an interior designer by profession, and Resplandor,...
When the farming simulation game FarmVille was a craze in 2010, a Canada-based couple bought a farm in Bulacan, not to play, but to start farming in real life. Spouses Shirley B. Ocampo and Juancho B. Ocampo, who were living overseas at the time, were offered a property in Bulacan during one...
Fruits and veggies are, without a doubt, beneficial to the body. Despite having known this for a long time, the Philippines is one of the countries with low levels of fruit and vegetable intake per capita in Southeast Asia. Filipinos consume an average of 343 grams of fruits and vegetables...
Growing apples ( Malus domestica ) can be difficult in a tropical country like the Philippines since they thrive best in temperate regions. Kapatagan in Davao del Sur, however, is located in an upland area at the foot of Mount Apo, where the climate is cool and suitable for producing exotic...
Ber-months are here! Discover the crops that are in season from September to October. Alugbati Malabar spinach, locally known as alugbati, is one of the nutrient-dense indigenous vegetables in the Philippines. The varieties that are commonly grown here are the Basella alba with green stems...
Going on its 14th year, The Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards renewed its commitment to recognize the exceptional journalists who spotlight the agricultural sector through online, print, radio, and television. On July 28, 2021, for the first time during a virtual ceremony hosted by veteran...
Many individuals are blessed to have inherited farmlands from their ancestors. This helps them continue what their families have started. Others acquire their own agricultural property to start a farm, optimize productivity, and have full control of the land. Then there are those who prefer...
Talong or eggplant ( Solanum melongena ) is a vegetable that is extensively grown locally. Producing this crop will only take three to four months when grown from seed. Photo by Dan-Cristian Pădureț on Unsplash. Eggplant is a popular ingredient in various Pinoy recipes, such as tortang talong or...
Even students are now realizing the importance of supporting the agriculture sector. The Agriculture Students Association of the Philippines (ASAP) was formed because of the absence of a national association for agriculture students in the Philippines. ASAP is a youth organization that serves as a...
For Renz Ticsay, 41, an IT solutions architect by profession, gardening has been a significant part of his life since his teenage years. “Life for me is incomplete without plants and trees,” said the urban gardener. Looking back, he has always been interested in plants and nature, which sprung...
There are thousands of mushroom species worldwide, but not all of them are edible. “One indicator that mushrooms are poisonous is that it has white gills,” said Emma Tolentino, farmer, ATI learning site cooperator, and owner of Eco Natural Integrated Farm, during an AgriTalk webinar on mushroom...
Carol Goitia, an urban gardener, demonstrated in a video how one can start an urban garden without having to spend a lot by turning a soft drink bottle into a self-watering planter: First. Prepare your materials including a plastic bottle, scissors, soil, fabric, water, and your plant or...
