Specials NEWS

Water spinach or kangkong is a fast-growing crop that is abundant with vitamins and minerals. Kangkong can be grown in two ways: cuttings and seeds. Either way, the health of the growing media will determine the success of the plant’s growth.

Sitaw is a high-value crop that can be produced within 50 to 65 days. This widely grown veggie is a popular ingredient in local dishes like adobong sitaw, pinakbet, and kare-kare.

Long chili (Capsicum annuum), also referred to as siling haba or siling panigang, is extensively grown in the Philippines. It is rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, folic acid, and fiber.

Another vegetable that is widely consumed by Filipinos is kalabasa or squash (Cucurbita maxima). It contains vitamins and minerals that the body needs such as vitamins A, C, B1, B6, and B3, as well as potassium. It also has beta carotene that serves as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Ampalaya, or bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), is a crop that is suitable for year-round cultivation in the Philippines, though thrives best if grown from October to February. It must be planted in soil with pH levels 6 to 6.7.

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is a common variety of edible mushroom grown in the Philippines. It comes in pink, yellow, white, grey, and black, with white and grey being the more prevalent types. 

Tomato or kamatis (Solanum lycopersicum) is a common plant grown by many home gardeners because it is easy to care for and fast-growing.

Effective Microorganism Activated Solution (EMAS) is a fertilizer that induces the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.

More growers nowadays have been looking for natural inputs that are safe for the people and the environment. One of their go-tos is natural fertilizers like fermented fruit juice and vermitea.

Behind healthy, successful plants is an excellent growing medium. Carbonized Rice Hull (CRH) is one of the many components that make for a good potting mix. CRH is the output of partially burnt rice hulls, or ipa in Tagalog. It is used as a fertilizer and soil conditioner for plant cultivation.

For this year’s AgriTalk, another batch of online series titled “AgriTalk: 2 Easy Learning” offers two-minute-long instructional videos on different topics about urban agriculture. The series will air from May 14 to June 30, 2021, at 10 a.m.

Women play a pivotal role in agriculture. Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that 43 percent of the global workforce in agriculture are women. In the Philippines, it is evident that there is increasing participation of women not only in agriculture, but also in other industries.