FEDERATION OF FREE FARMERS
41 Highland Drive, Blue Ridge, 1109 Quezon City, Philippines
(632) 647 1093 | FAX (632) 647 1451 | e-mail [email protected] | www.freefarm.org
Taon 3, Sipi Blg. 8
FFF BioFarming Network
August 2012
THE GRADUATES OF TRAINING ON MARKETING DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS
ON CLUSTER MARKETING APPROACH
held at the Oroderm Hotel, Magallanes St., Davao City, on August 15-18, 2012
FFF Delegation to the
8th Mindanao Vegetable Congress
held at the Grand Menseng Hotel, Magallanes St.,
Davao City, on August 13-14, 2012
MDO Market Tour
at the NCCC Mall, Davao City, August 17, 2012
featuring 5 delicious recipes
FEDERATION OF FREE FARMERS
41 Highland Drive, Blue Ridge, 1109 Quezon City, Philippines
(632) 647 1093 | FAX (632) 647 1451 | e-mail [email protected] | www.freefarm.org
Bio-Energy from Rice Straw Waste
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012 http://www.agriculture-ph.com/
PhilRice French Firm to Study
Rice Straw as Feedstock for
Power Source
The Philippine Rice Research Institute
(PhilRice) and Enertime, a France-based
company, recently signed an agreement to
assess the feasibility of using rice straw for
power generation that could help farmers
reduce production cost.
Bio-Energy from Organic Farming
Eufemio Rasco Jr., executive director of PhilRice, said, “The cost of petroleum is increasing. So
it’s important to develop a new energy system that will serve as an alternative to the nonrenewable, highly centralized, and not diversified system. The exact opposite of that is what we’d
like to do. That means utilizing local sources of energy.”
The country was cited as producing 15.2 million tons of rice that leave behind 11.3 million tons of
rice straw a year that farmers usually burn in their open field after harvest, causing air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide.
To minimize the post-harvest waste, a two-year collaboration between PhilRice and the French
company will explore the possibility of collecting, transporting, and conditioning rice straw to be
used as feedstock or raw material in generating electricity. 
The initiative, a part of the project “Use of Rice Straw as Fuel to Generate Electricity Using Organic Rankine Cycle Technology in the Philippines,” will cover Nueva Ecija and Laguna. About
10,000 tons of rice straw per year is targeted to be acquired from these major rice-producing
provinces.
Opportunities of Bio-Energy Farming
With fossil fuel prices heading higher and higher long-term its a very good investment
now to create sustainable bio-energy solutions to help reduce and or eliminate the need for paying for imported synthetic or organic fuels to generate energy. Bio-energy is viable and sustainable and it can be done successfully through new leadership, new ideas, and new investments
committed to success. Major Philippine corporations are making more energy generation investments and in time farming bio-waste will be a part of that. As an individual do your part as
much as possible to be are part of the bio-energy revolution and learn and grow your farmings
efforts for your future and your children. The idea of thinking globally and acting locally will
help all mankind.
1
Organic nga hayopan gitudlo
Ni Chester Abadilla/WC (Banat) Updated August 23, 2012 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines - Sugod karong tuiga, ang mga Sugboanon mahimo na nga makakaon og
inasal nga walay cholesterol.
Kini ang gitug-an ni Dr. Francisco Dela Peña, ang presidente ug CEO sa Aces Polytechnic
College sa Tagum, sa mga siyudad sa Panabo ug Davao, human sa malampuson nga 15 ka
adlaw nga training sa mga kadagkoan sa DepEd didto sa City of Naga Division.
Ang maong pagbansay gipunting sa tema nga, Accelerating Community Enterprise through
Sustainable Agriculture and Technology Innovations on Organic Knowledge (ACES ATI OK).
Sumala pa ni Dr. Dela Peña nga ang maong programa maoy labing una sa tibuok nasud nga
mituman sa Republic Act 10068 kon Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.
Iya usab nga gipahibawo nga ang labing una ug model organic farming sa tibuok probinsya
sa Sugbo ug sa tibuok nasud sa Pilipinas makita sa DepEd City of Naga Division kay
ang unang gi-train nga mga magtutudlo niini nagagikan man sa Naga Division.
Gipasabot ni Dr. Dela Peña uban ni Dr. Silvano Maranga, ang kanhi regional director sa
TESDA sa Central Visayas nga gawas nga way cholesterol ang baboy ug ang manok nga
buhion dili pa gyud kini manimaho.
Kini tungod kay sa organic farm man magsukad ang pagkaon niini ug ang hugaw usab sa baboy ug manok magamit nga fertilizer sa organic farm.
Si DepEd-7 Regional Director Carmelita Dulangon mapasalamaton kaayo kang Dr. Peña ug
Dr. Maranga sa pagbansay nila sa 27 ka mga master teacher ug superintendent sa Naga Divison kay mao usab kini ang mohatag og training ngadto sa ubang mga tulunghaan bahin
sa organic farming.
Matud pa niya nga mahinungdanon kaayong ikatudlo kini sa mga kabataan ug ngadto sa
tanang mag-uuma nga interesado sa organic agriculture. – BANAT NEWS
2
Alcala backs natural ingredients industry
(The Philippine Star) Updated August 19, 2012 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippine
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala backs
the natural ingredients industry, saying it is high
time for Filipino farmers to cash in on the $400billion global market.
The sector has been earning foreign exchange for
the past decade using only the most basic manufacturing processes and the least overhead.
Alcala stressed that the industry has been helping
reduce the imports of health and wellness products and expanding the market for domestic
goods.
However, the Department of Agriculture (DA)
should start expanding the farms producing crops,
plants and herbs noted for their natural ingredients.
Tamarind, which grows everywhere in the country, needs to be
cultured systematically to supply the requirements of instant
sour broth manufacturers.
Two such plants – lagundi and turmeric or luyang dilaw – should be propagated nationwide
to supply the demands of the industry.
Tamarind, which grows everywhere in the country, needs to be cultured systematically to
supply the requirements of instant sour broth manufacturers.
“It’s actually being looked at now (by government) because it provides an opportunity to our
farmers for additional income, particularly those in the uplands,” added Dr. Candida Adalla,
program director of the Department of Agriculture’s Biotech Implementation Unit (DA-BIU).
Adalla said there is a niche for Philippine natural ingredients the world over and Filipino entrepreneurs must go for it.
Two of the country’s biggest pharmaceutical companies have given priority for the development of natural ingredients for their medicines.
However, the emphasis has been on lagundi, now a popular medicine for cough.
Natural ingredients, Adalla added, are derived from crops and plants that are indigenous to
our soil and climatic conditions and even from plants that could be introduced and produced
in substantial volumes.
These crops and plants are easy to manage and require minimum inputs.
3
However, the wellness market is still surprisingly dependent on imports, withessential oils
used in spas coming from China, India and Vietnam.
Turmeric is imported from India even as it can be cultivated in big numbers here, Adalla
claimed, without losing any of its efficacy.
Unfortunately, the country’s biggest food ingredient company still imports 8,000 metric tons
(MT) of tamarind for its sampaloc broth.
Sampaloc grows in all regions and the fruit is standard fare for regional dishes.
Farmers can profit from wellness
Growing demand of the wellness market should attract more farmers to produce natural ingredients with a variety of applications, Alcala said.
Alcala’s interest in the natural ingredients industry was boosted by the results of a study undertaken by Hybrid-gim Consulting Inc. (HGI) as commissioned by Adalla.
HGI’s study, Adalla noted, “showed there is a big market, a global market, for natural ingredients.”
Alcala has seen the growth of the industry for the past few years as it responds to shifting consumer trends and new market opportunities.
One major development has been the surge in media coverage on wellness, Alcala and Adalla
said, that has caused many people to redefine their concept of health “not merely as the absence of disease, but of increased vitality.”
Concern for vitality, the study stressed, “has been one of the growth drivers for food, beverages, and cosmetics which incorporate functional ingredients.”
Pharmaceutical ingredients have already created niches, with demand for new product categories such as “nutraceuticals” and “cosmeceuticals” stronger than expected.
The global market for natural ingredients was even forecast to reach $18 billion by next year.
Cosmetics that use ingredients which confer health or wellness benefits were projected to
grow by 8.1 percent, with the demand for the ingredients outstripping the demand for products.
There is also less emphasis on essential oils and aroma chemicals, with research and development (R&D) by ingredients companies leading to the shift.
In the last three decades, there has been substantial growth in herbal medicine market globally.
Today, 80 percent of the people in developing countries reportedly rely on plant-based products for health care that are widely available and more affordable. – Biolife News Service
4
DA chief calls for a sustainable food sector from
organized farmers
August 17, 2012
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (right) holds newly harvested organic ampalaya
during the culmination of the Field Day on Organic Ampalaya Production participated by
130 farmers in the town of Consolacion, in Cebu. The 3,000-square meter demonstration
area established in Sitio Lumbang, Barangay Pulpogan showcases the production of chemical-free fertilizer and aims to promote organic farming among local vegetable growers.
During the event, Alcala urged Mayor Teresa Delgado (left) to explore expansion areas for
agricultural development in the town, which he assured that the Department of Agriculture
will fully support. Also in photo (2nd right) is Atty. Hilario “Jun-jun” Davide. (photo by
Rino Resurreccion)
5
Organic Farming in GenSan
Manila Bulletin – Fri, Aug 17, 2012
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for the integration of organic
farming system in the curriculum of public high schools in
Region 12.
Jocelyn Misterio, DA-12 program officer, said they
launched a training program that would help educate
teachers in various public schools in the region about the
latest trends and development in organic farming and
crop production.
Organic Vegetable Garden
She said the initiative is mainly aimed at enabling local
public schools incorporate organic farming in their agriculture (TLE) as well as technology and livelihood education subjects.
Misterio said an initial 100 teachers teaching TLE and agriculture subjects joined a two-day training on organic
Fresh herbs and salad greens
farming and vegetable production earlier this week at the DA-Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research
Center in Barangay Bololmala, Tupi,
South Cotabato.
The participants came from various
public schools in Region 12, which covers the provinces of South Cotabato,
Fruits and vegetable display at SM Supermarket GenSultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and Cotabato.
"This is also in line with the department's renewed efforts to strengthen the Gulayan sa Paaralan
program in partnership with the Department of Education and local government units," she said.
6
Organic Farming Pushed For Cebu
Manila Bulletin – Mon, Aug 6, 2012
CEBU - The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to partner with the Cebu Provincial Government in promoting organic farming in the Philippines as the province is scheduled to host
the 2012 National Organic Agriculture Convention later this year.
Some 1,500 participants nationwide are expected to attend the convention, said DA Assistant
Secretary Salvador Salaccup, who paid a courtesy visit to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the
Capitol.
"We would like to showcase Cebu as
one of the emerging organic farming
centers in the country. Considering
your very vibrant market here, and
the emerging trend that organic
products are highly demanded, and
considering the booming Cebu tourist industry, I think the province is a
perfect venue to work on the organic
movement in Central Visayas," Salaccup told local media.
Aforesaid participants will visit the
organic farm in Aloguinsan town as
part of the Convention activities in
Cebu. While in Aloguinsan, Garcia
said the Convention participants can
also maximize their stay by enjoying
the Bojo River Cruise, the town's famous tourist attraction.
Salaccup said the current administration has been pursuing the full
implementation of Republic Act
10068, or the "Organic Agriculture
Act of 2010" nationwide.
7
Organic Farming Benefits Caraga Region
Manila Bulletin – Sun, July 15, 2012
BUTUAN CITY - Organic agriculture, through the use of vermi compost fertilizer, boosts the
production of farmers and even local government units (LGUs) in the Caraga Region.
Organic agriculture is also in line with the government's Agri-Pinoy program to attain food security and attain rice sufficiency in the country.
A big number of farmers
in the five provinces and
six cities in the Caraga Region no longer procure
fertilizers outside the region, resulting in an increase of income LGUs.
Likewise, many farmers
benefited from the Organic Agriculture (OA) program.
But most importantly, according to agriculture officials, the farmers' living
condition in the countryside is already boosted under the OA program.
Aimed at promoting OA through the use of vermi compost fertilizer, the Bureau of Soils and
Water Management (BSWM), through its Organic Fertilizer Production Project (OFPP), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit-13 (DA-RFU-13) and LGUs,
continue to conduct seminars and meetings on vermi composting in the various areas of the
region.
The continuous seminars and meetings also aim to help boost OA farming in the region, and
increase farm production in the area.
As this developed, DA officials in the Caraga Region expressed optimism that time would come
the region will be one of the biggest suppliers of organic fertilizers to farmers and other agencies.
Meanwhile, since the implementation of the Organic Fertilizer Production Project Small-Scale
Composting Facility in Caraga Region last year, Marcelo P. Dayo declared the top 10 performers for the vermi compost in terms of volume of production.
8
Organic farming gains ground
MONDAY, 02 JULY 2012 21:35 ERNESTO HILARIO / ABOUT TOWN
BusinessMirror.com.ph
ORGANIC farming is the way to go for food security and healthier Filipinos.
A total of 270 rice farmers in Pangasinan graduated last week
from the Organikong Palayan (OP) field-school program organized by the La Liga Policy Institute. They will now apply in
their own farms their newly acquired knowledge and skills in
organic agriculture.
Organikong Palayan is an innovative agriculture development
strategy. It taps local agri stakeholders—farmers, nongovernmental organizations, local government units, technicians and
the national government through the Department of Agriculture—in a partnership to demonstrate organic agriculture as a viable and sustainable option for farmers and to institutionalize the program in the planning and budget priority of participating LGUs.
The OP program is consistent with the agriculture department’s own program called Agrikulturang Pilipino or Agri-Pinoy, which aims at food security and self-sufficiency, sustainable
agriculture and fisheries, natural resource management and local development.
The farmers, from Pangasinan District 1’s Alaminos City and the municipalities of Bani, Burgos and Dasol, received their certificates of completion of the OP Season-Long Training (SLT)
during the graduation ceremony held at the city’s Leopoldo Sison Auditorium. On hand during the occasion were officials from the partner-LGUs, headed by Alaminos City Mayor
Hernani Braganza, DA Regional Director Valentin Perdido and other officials from the DA
Regional Office and Bureau of Agriculture and Fishery Products Standards (BAFPS).
“The graduation of hundreds of new organic rice farmers is a milestone in our advocacy of
sustainable, organic and ecological agriculture,” said La Liga Managing Director Roland Cabigas.
Organikong Palayan is a viable alternative that helps restore soil fertility, reduce expenses for
agricultural inputs and increase the incomes of farmers and the farming community. In the
medium term, it significantly contributes to the DA’s strategy of attaining food and staple
sufficiency during the administration of President Aquino.
La Liga and the Go Organic Philippines movement have been advocating sustainable, organic
and ecological agriculture in the country for years now. These two groups earlier pushed to
have an organic agriculture legislation in the country. In 2010 the Philippine Organic Agriculture Act (RA 100681) was signed into law.
Organikong Palayan is La Liga’s response to the opportunities and challenges brought about
by the enactment of the Philippine Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and the National Organic
Agriculture Plan (NOAP).
In July last year La Liga formally launched the OP program in the four Pangasinan localities
in simple rites held in Alaminos City.
9
The farmers then enrolled in the SLT and participated in its 14 sessions of production of organic fertilizer and actual organic rice farming in eight designated learning farms (two for each of
the LGU project areas).
The farmers have vowed to devote at least 105 hectares of combined farm areas to organic production in this year’s rice season.
Organikong Palayan is regarded as a success story as it was able to sustain the interest and
participation of farmers in organic agriculture. Prior to this program, the farmers were engaged in chemical-based farming.
La Liga provides the farmers with their initial organic rice-production needs consisting of rice
seeds; equipment and materials for production of organic fertilizer such as worms for vermiculture, rice-hull carbonizers and vermicast or vermicompost; as well as high-grade shovels
and resource materials. The group will also continue the mentoring and monitoring component of the program for the farmers.
Local chief executives of the program’s partner-LGUs, namely, the mayors of Alaminos City,
Bani, Burgos and Dasol, for their part, have committed to further promote this environmentally sound agriculture model in their respective localities.
This initiative in the four LGUs will be replicated in other towns of Pangasinan and the Ilocos
region. Pangasinan is one of the leading agricultural commodity producers in the country.
Alaminos, Bani, Burgos and Dasol, all in Western Pangasinan, are members of the One Pangasinan Alliance of LGUs, an economic partnership that promotes resource sharing for local
economic development.
10
IRDFS farmers: Protecting the Earth through
organic-rice farming
MONDAY, 02 JULY 2012 19:54 BONG D. FABE / CORRESPONDENT
National security concern
THE Washington-based International
Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
forecasted in a study that there will be a
15-percent decrease in irrigated rice
yields in developing countries and a 12percent increase in rice prices as a result
of climate change by 2050.
The Manila-based Asian Development
Bank (ADB) said in an earlier study that
rice production in the Philippines will decline by as much as 75 percent if the
country is not quick enough to adapt to and put in place safeguards against climate change.
According to the study, the decline in rice production will start in 2020. Severe weather conditions induced by a rapidly changing climate will spawn more and more typhoons, storms
and other disastrous natural phenomenon like Tropical Storm Washi. Washi buffeted the
northern region of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on December 16, 2011, leaving the
region’s agriculture sector with damages estimated at P305,715,931 ($7,200,321.46), according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
The Beijing-based Xinhua News Agency, quoting Agriculture Undersecretary Antonio Fieta,
reported in October 2011 that Typhoons Nesat and Nalgae, which lashed the Philippines in
September and October, respectively, inflicted a P12-billion ($282,485,589.44) damage to
Philippine agriculture; the bulk or P11 billion ($258,944,120.66) came from damage on rice
crops. With at least 20 typhoons visiting the Philippines annually, the chairpman of the Philippine Senate Committee on Climate Change, Loren Legarda, said climate change is a clear
and present danger and that “it is a national security concern.”
Fighting climate change with rice
“CLIMATE change is a global challenge that threatens every nation, no matter how large or
small, wealthy or poor,” said US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. “The threat is serious, it is urgent and it is growing.”
Rice production contributes to and suffers from climate change. Therefore, it is paramount
that rice farmers help mitigate climate change using what is dear to them—rice paddies.
Dr. Rolando T. Cruz, head of the Favorable Rice Environment program at the Philippine Rice
Research Institute (PhilRice), warned as early as 2009 that rice farmers will continue to become preys to climate change impact “if farmers themselves don’t help mitigate climate
change.”
11
Because of this, the Philippine Agrarian Reform Foundation for National Development has
risen to the challenge and embarked on a journey teaching rice farmers a technology that is
not only cost-effective but also environment friendly and economically viable—the Integrated Rice-Ducks Farming System (IRDFS).
“The Integrated Rice-Ducks Farming System is an environment friendly system that benefits both farmers and the environment. The ducks growing alongside the rice paddies eliminate the use of chemicals; ducks eat pests, their dung fertilizes the soil, and the paddling
movement of their feet cultivates the soil and destroys weeds. Increased rice production and
added income from duck meat and eggs contribute to household benefits that liberate farmers from poverty. In addition, the paddling movement of the ducklings in the rice fields aerates the soil, therefore contributing to the reduction of methane emission coming from stagnant water in rice paddies,” said PARFUND Program Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan.
A study done by Chinese scientists on rice paddies using the IRDFS in China showed that
ducks’ constant paddling in the rice paddies effectively reduced the emission of methane.
Scientists Chengfang Li, Cougi Cao, Jingping Wang, Ming Zhan, Weiling Yuan and Shahrear
Ahmad said in “Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Wetland Rice-Duck Cultivation System in
Southern China” that the IRDFS “will contribute to alleviating global warming.” The scientists evaluated the integrated global warming potentials (GWP) of a rice-duck cultivation
system based on methane and nitrous oxide emission. They found out that the IRDFS
“could suppress the total amount of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice paddies.” They also said in their report:
“Moreover, because the decrease of methane emissions from rice-ducks compared to traditional rice farming was far more than the increase of nitrous oxide emissions from riceducks compared to tradition rice farming, rice-ducks farming greatly reduced integrated
GWPs compared to traditional rice farming. So, the rice-ducks cultivation system based on
methane and nitrous oxide in southern China and will contribute to alleviating global warming.”
In Photo: Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Antonio H. Cerilles watch ducks in action at an IRDFS demonstration farm in Pagadian
City, the province’s capital. (Bong D. Fabe)
12
Women Farmers Grow Hybrid Corn
BY PINOY HENYO – MAY 19, 2012
POSTED IN: AGRICULTURE
www.magandangideya.com
Women are enterprising and they also make good farmers. Just like two women from Brgy.
Posnaan, Aguinaldo, Ifugao. who have been growing one of the latest corn hybrids called
Healer 101.
They are Julie Tinong, 36, and Isabel
Cauelan, 63. Julie has been taking charge
of growing corn in their two hectare-farm.
Since she got married in 1994, she has
been planting corn and had experienced
growing the old varieties. Two years ago,
she was introduced to Healer 101 and
swears, this is the best variety she has
tried so far.
In her latest dry season crop, she got an
average of 120 cavans (56 kg per cavan)
(passel.unl.edu)
per hectare which she sold at P12.90 to
P13 per kilo. She got a very good profit because she only spent P20,000 cash per hectare. She
attributes the low cash expense to the fact that her four children helped her in land preparation, planting and other farm chores.
Julie loves the big kernels of Healer 101 which are bright orange, a color desired by feedmillers. The ear has a slender cob so kernel recovery is high.
Isabel Cauelan, 63, is another enterprising woman corn farmer also from Julie’s barangay.
She started farming in 1987 and has been growing corn since then. A widow for 14 years, she
has been planting Bioseed’s Healer 101 on three hectares for three years now.
She treats corn production as a business. She hires a tractor to prepare her farm for planting.
Her cost of production is P25,000 per hectare. She usually harvests 120 cavans per hectare,
especially during the dry season crop.
13
Sometimes, though, disaster strikes. When flood and typhoon struck and damaged her standing corn, she got only 49 cavans (dried). That was the lowest yield she ever got but she still
managed to make a small profit. That’s one good thing about Healer 101, she said. It can survive some of the worst natural disasters.
AGRILINK 2012 – This early, the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development
(FRLD), the proponent of Agrilink Trade Show, is busy preparing for the event’s 2012 edition.
This year’s theme is “Improving Animal Productivity Beyond Medication” and will focus on
good animal health practices, inputs and technologies that contribute to sustainable farming
and economic stability among farmers and the country as a whole.
The theme is highly appropriate since the Department of Agriculture’s thrusts this year include disease prevention, control and eradication; conservation and improvement of genetic
materials; establishment of new infrastructure and postharvest facilities; exploration and
promotion of alternative nutrition technologies, as well as taking advantage of the country’s
status of being AI and FMD-free without vaccination.
FRLD president Antonio V. Roces said that “time was when animal health only meant getting
rid of animal diseases and regular visits of veterinarians to farms. Today, the term animal
health encompasses a whole gamut of facets since the world of agribusiness has also widened
its scope. As we talk of animal health, aside from feeds, feed supplements and additives, we
also get to include new technologies, animal housing design and equipment, building materials, layout and locations, drainage, waste management, controlled atmospheres and metered
feeds and water inputs. All of these play a part in enhancing animal health which in turn determines profitability.”
Roces added that “the contribution and input of our livestock and poultry sectors to our economy has been significantly higher. While the current growth of our animal industry is very
promising, integrating new technologies and health management over the past years have
been tremendous, and they offer huge potential in improving animal health through different
measures, and in turn enhance our productivity.
(source: Manila Bulletin)
14
DA Allots P74M for Irrigation, Agri Projects
in Camarines Norte
BY PINOY HENYO – MAY 12, 2012
POSTED IN: AGRICULTURE
www.magandangideya.com
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is
investing an additional P74 million in
Camarines Norte to further increase
crop production and augment the incomes of farmers and other ruralfolk.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala
said the bulk of the fund or P60 million
will be used to construct and rehabilitate
various irrigation projects, and P13.7million worth of assistance that include farm machinery, planting materials, fishing paraphernalia, potable water system, and start-up capital for livelihood projects.
He made the commitment during his recent visit in Daet and other towns in Camarines
Norte, where he inaugurated and visited several agricultural projects, and dialogued with
1,000 farmers, fisherfolk, local government officials, and other agriculture and fishery stakeholders.
Alcala also provided two hand tractors with trailers, two units of mechanical dryers, and a
seed cleaner to irrigators’ associations and farmers’ groups during a farmers’ forum at the
provincial capitol. Hundreds of seedlings of pili, rambutan and jackfruit were also distributed
to upland farmers.
The DA through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 5, also provided funds for aquasilviculture and seaweed projects, mangrove rehabilitation and production of mangrove propagules, and establishment of community multi-purpose fish hatchery.
In addition, the DA has committed to provide an additional P5-million fund to repair and improve the Alawihao Dam, which serves as the only source of water supply in the municipality
of Daet.
15
The DA chief also inaugurated a P1.6-milion tramline system in Barangay Matacong, town of
San Lorenzo Ruiz, reducing the transport of various agricultural products from upland farms
to the nearest market, from two hours to only six minutes benefitting 120 farm families in
Matacong, who will save on hauling and transport costs by as much as 60 percent.
He also instructed DA Region V Director Jose Dayao to allot funds to construct access farmto-market roads from the tramline station to the nearest municipal road.
“This will enable Matacong farmers and ruralfolk to benefit most from the tramline facility,”
said Alcala.
His visit was capped by an agriculture industry stakeholders’ forum, held at the Camarines
Norte Sports Complex, at the provincial capitol, where he dialogued with 700 farmers, fisherfolk, local government officials and other stakeholders.
During the forum, he raffled off farm inputs and implements to lucky attendees.
In his concluding message, Alcala exhorted the farmers to be proud of their noble work, saying: “Kung wala po kayo, kahit yung mga nasa Forbes Park ay magugutom. Kaya sa susunod
na tanungin kayo kung ano ang hanapbuhay nyo, ang sasabihin nyo: Magsasaka, bakit?
(Without you, even those in Forbes Park will starve. So next time somebody asks you about
your occupation, tell him: farming).
(source:PIA)
16
PhilRice Channels Synchronous Planting
Technology to North Cotabato Farmers
BY PINOY HENYO – MAY 9, 2012
POSTED IN: AGRICULTURE
www.magandangideya.com
North Cotabato farmers are
now practicing synchronous
planting after they tried a water-saving technology promoted by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice),
the country’s lead agency in
rice science and development.
Flora Mae D. Respicio, principal engineer of M’lang/
Malasila River Irrigation Systems (MLARIS), said con(senate.gov.ph)
trolled irrigation, a practical
technique on saving irrigation water without decreasing yield, enabled farmers to share water
supply with rice tillers owning farms in downstream.
In controlled irrigation, observation wells are used to monitor the status of water to help
farmers determine the appropriate amount of water and timing of irrigation.
Synchronous planting within one month is recommended to avoid the overlapping occurrence of pests and diseases.
“We used to implement three to four days irrigation interval but it caused conflicts among
farmers because the water supply only reaches the mid-streams resulting in late planting or
no planting in downstream. From this schedule, we shifted to seven days irrigation interval,”
she said during a field day recently conducted by the PhilRice station based in Midsayap,
North Cotabato.
17
Respicio said Lidanama Irrigators’ Association members initially had apprehensions following the new schedule as they are used to seeing their fields immersed in water.
“Through controlled irrigation, farmers are confident that nothing will happen to their rice
plants after seven days of no water release. Now, the 1,660 hectares of Lidanama Irrigators’
Association were planted synchronously based on 2012 dry season cropping calendar,” she
said.
About 175 rice farmers in the seven irrigators’ association covered by MLARIS had adopted
controlled irrigation. With its adoption, Respicio said the National Irrigation Administration
(NIA) in Region 12 would form core trainers who would implement the technology on a wider
scale.
Philippines’ Irrigated Rice Research Consortium Country Outreach Program funds the project in collaboration with PhilRice and NIA.
DA-PhilRice is a government-owned and-controlled corporation that aims to develop highyielding, cost-reducing, and environment-friendly technologies so farmers can produce
enough rice for all Filipinos.
(source: Phil Star)
18
10 Ways to Be More Green
BY PINOY HENYO – MAY 9, 2012
POSTED IN: NATURE & ENVIRONMENT, NEW IDEAS
www.magandangideya.com
Helping to change the world isn’t that hard. It begins with small acts that become habits. As they
gain momentum, soon you’re not doing just one
thing; you’re revolutionizing your life in a way
that can, in fact, save the planet.
Helping to change the world isn’t that hard. It begins with small acts that become habits. As they
gain momentum, soon you’re not doing just one
thing; you’re revolutionizing your life in a way
that can, in fact, save the planet.
1.Turn Off the Lights
Two-thirds of all the electricity used in the residential sector of the United States powers lights
and appliances. Considering that electricity production generates more than 1.9 billion metric
tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year, a simple
flick of the switch is a good start.Plus
Plus: See Our Favorite Eco-Bulbs
2. Eat More Veggies
While a meat-centered diet deepens our ecological footprint and contributes to pollution, a
plant-centered diet requires fewer resources and supports long-term health. But you don’t
have to go completely veggie to reap the benefits; try gradually shifting the emphasis of your
meals from animal-based proteins to plant-based ones, such as soy foods and beans.
3. Use Greener Cleaners
As many as a third of Americans have an adverse reaction to common household chemicals.
Safer products can save you money, too. While furniture polish will set you back about $4,
cleaning with 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar and a few drops of olive oil costs mere cents.
4.Find New Uses for Old Things
Many retailers provide in-store drop-off bins for recycling cell phones, while items such as
clothing, toys, and computers are great for local shelters and rescue missions. Through donations you not only relieve pressure on landfills, you contribute directly to your community.
19
5. Bring Your Own Bag to the Grocery Store
The paper-or-plastic dilemma may someday be obsolete. But paper is an only slightly better
alternative. The greenest option? Look in your closet and drawers for a strong, durable, reusable bag, and take it with you to the supermarket, mall, or your favorite takeout place.
6. Buy Products Made from Recycled Materials
These days, it’s easy to find affordable green products and adopt creative, sustainable practices — and doing so will bolster the bottom line by cutting energy and material needs.
Plus: Eco Office Supplies
7. Choose Reusable Instead of Disposable
Saving the Earth starts early. Show even your littlest child that you always think green by selecting reusable instead of disposable products.
8. Turn Off Your Computer
Whenever you leave work, remember to turn off your computer, especially on Fridays — or
any other occasion when you’re going to be away from the office for long periods of time.
9. Bring Farm-Fresh Food to Your Kids’ School
School districts across the country are making the transition from processed cafeteria foods
to meals based around fresh produce. If your child’s isn’t one of them, there are still things
you can do. We have four tips to follow, and more online resources to consult, to make your
school nutrition dreams a reality.
10. Boost Your Appliances’ Efficiency
The major appliances — the refrigerator, water heater, and clothes dryer — can together account for a big chunk of all the energy a household uses. With a few quick tune-ups, you can
reduce the electricity these power-hungry amenities consume, in turn reducing your carbon
footprint — and your energy bill.
(source: Yahoo News)
20
Isabela Town Seeks Help to Save Vast
Monggo Farms
BY PINOY HENYO – MAY 4, 2012
POSTED IN: AGRICULTURE www.magandangideya.com
Monggo (mung beans) farmers in this northeastern agricultural town are seeking intervention from the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System
(NIA-MRIIS) to save their monggo plants from wilting and further damage.
Municipal agriculturist Emiliano Camba
said there is a need to seek the intervention of NIA-MRIIS due to the searing
summer heat in the region in the past
month.
Mung beans, commonly used in Ilocano
cuisine in the Cagayan Valley and in the
Ilocos, have sprouts that are a delicacy in
the north as well as in Chinese restaurants in the metropolis.
As in the Ilocos across the Cordilleras,
mung beans form part of the region’s cash crop, although it is not immediately known how
much Isabela alone earns from the plants.
(iloveiloilo.wordpress.com)
Camba said farmers are worried, seeing the weather’s adverse effects weather on their crops.
He said the agriculture office has asked the municipal officials here to request the NIA-MRIIS
to release some of its impounded waters to irrigate and save the monggo farms.
The NIA-MRIIS has suspended its water release this summer to rehabilitate the irrigation canals destroyed during the cropping season.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, during a visit to the Isabela last year, initiated what observers described as a pitch in scheme to raise funds to pave farm-to-market roads in San
Mateo, which he declared as “the mung bean capital of the Philippines.”
The usual release of dam water is scheduled in June each year.
Camba said the mongo plants are already at their vegetative and flowering stage and farmers
are hoping for rains to save their plants.
(source: Phil News Agency)
21
Germany Provides P170-M Fund for Philippine
“Green Economy”
BY PINOY HENYO – MAY 2, 2012
POSTED IN: AGRICULTURE www.magandangideya.com
The German government has allotted P170 million in support of what it described as a
“climate-smart development” green growth program of the Philippines, via the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ or Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).
(environmentphilippines.com)
This was relayed by Gudrun Kopp, the German Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal
Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), during a meeting on Wednesday
with National Economic and Planning Agency (NEDA) Secretary Cayetano Paderanga.
They exchanged views on how greater efficiency with resources will enhance competitiveness
and how “green products” can open new markets, according to the German embassy in Manila.
Green Economy as a way of advancing economic and social development through sustainable
use of natural resources is an emerging concept in the Philippines. In the framework of
“inclusive growth”, it is seen as the overriding concern of the Philippine Development Plan
(2011–2016) of the Aquino government.
22
GIZ funds the “Green Economy” project to be implemented in 2013 onwards. The aid agency supports the implementation of Aquino’s Five-Year Development Plan via assistance to
small and medium-sized enterprises so that they can cope with climate change and mitigate
requirements while still remaining competitive.
The German embassy observed that about 98 per cent of registered business establishments
here are micro, small and medium enterprises. Thus they play a crucial role in the greening
of industries and services, and since they provide many employment opportunities, they
have a major role to play in alleviating poverty.
The new program can build on the established links between Germany-through GIZ-and
the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
It will be noted that the Philippine Climate Change Commission, with German support, has
drawn up the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) to serve as a road map in addressing the causes and effects of climate change, including its impact on the economy. The
plan makes “Climate-Smart Industries and Services” a strategic priority, the embassy said.
Kopp is in Manila for the Governors Meeting of the Asian Development Bank. He is slated
to give a talk, entitled “Climate Policy Cooperation: Germany’s Engagement in Asia,” as a
side event of the ADB on Thursday afternoon, May 3,at the Philippine International Convention Center.
(source: Phil News Agency)
23
Can Organic Food Feed the World? New Study Sheds Light
On Debate Over Organic Vs. Conventional Agriculture
ScienceDaily (Apr. 25, 2012)
http://www.sciencedaily.com
Can organic agriculture feed the
world? Although organic techniques may not be able to do the job
alone, they do have an important
role to play in feeding a growing
global population while minimizing
environmental damage, according
to researchers at McGill University
and the University of Minnesota.
A new stu dy pu blished
in Natureconcludes that crop yields
from organic farming are generally
lower than from conventional agriculture. That is particularly true for cereals, which are staples of the human diet -- yet the
yield gap is much less significant for certain crops, and under certain growing conditions, according to the researchers.
The study, which represents a comprehensive analysis of the current scientific literature on
organic-to-conventional yield comparisons, aims to shed light on the often heated debate
over organic versus conventional farming. Some people point to conventional agriculture as a
big environmental threat that undercuts biodiversity and water resources, while releasing
greenhouse gases. Others argue that large-scale organic farming would take up more land
and make food unaffordable for most of the world's poor and hungry.
"To achieve sustainable food security we will likely need many different techniques -- including organic, conventional, and possible 'hybrid' systems -- to produce more food at affordable
prices, ensure livelihoods to farmers, and reduce the environmental costs of agriculture," the
researchers conclude.
Overall, organic yields are 25% lower than conventional, the study finds. The difference varies
widely across crop types and species, however. Yields of legumes and perennials (such as soybeans and fruits), for example, are much closer to those of conventional crops, according to
the study, conducted by doctoral student Verena Seufert and Geography professor Navin Ramankutty of McGill and Prof. Jonathan Foley of the University of Minnesota's Institute on the
Environment.
24
What's more, when best management practices are used for organic crops, overall yields are
just 13% lower than conventional levels. "These results suggest that today's organic systems
may nearly rival conventional yields in some cases -- with particular crop types, growing
conditions and management practices -- but often they do not," the researchers write. Improvements in organic management techniques, or adoption of organic agriculture under
environmental conditions where it performs best, may help close the yield gap, they indicate.
"Our study indicates that organically fertilized systems might require higher nitrogen inputs to achieve high yields as organic nitrogen is less readily available to crops. In some cases, organic farmers may therefore benefit by making limited use of chemical fertilizers instead of relying only on manure to supply nitrogen to their crops," Seufert says. "At the
same time, conventional agriculture can learn from successful organic systems and implement practices that have shown environmental benefits, such as increased crop diversity
and use of crop residues."
Yields are only part of a set of economic, social and environmental factors that should be
considered when gauging the benefits of different farming systems, the researchers note.
"Maybe people are asking the wrong question," Prof Ramankutty says. "Instead of asking if
food is organically grown, maybe we should be asking if it's sustainably grown."
The results point to a need to get beyond the black-and-white, ideological debates that often
pit advocates of organic and local foods against proponents of conventional agriculture,
Prof. Foley adds. "By combining organic and conventional practices in a way that maximizes food production and social good while minimizing adverse environmental impact, we can
create a truly sustainable food system."
25
Mayor Goes for Organic Farming
Friday, March 16, 2012
One municipal head who is really serious in propagating
organic farming in his own town is Mayor Leoncio “Jun”
Evasco of Maribojoc, Bohol. We met him at an organic agriculture presentation at the Natural Farming Institute in
Panabo City last March 19.
The presentation was attended by the head of the Agricultural Training Institute, officials of TESDA, Department of
Trade and Industry executives, farmers, Davao City officials
and other stakeholders.
Mayor Evasco is in the process of setting up the facilities
for a demo farm and training center on organic agriculture
in Brgy. Bayacaba, Maribojoc. He has already planted 10
kinds of grasses and several leguminous shrubs on two hecDR. FRANK DE LA PENA AND MAYOR JUN EVASCO
tares that will be used as feed for the farm animals. The
buildings for goats, pigs, office and some other facilities are
already up. In the process of construction is a fermentation house where the fermented juices of fruits, vegetables
and other plants will be processed for use in organic farming. He says training will start middle of this year when
everything will already be in place.
A former priest who was also a former member of the New People’s Army who returned to the fold of the law, Jun is
now in his second term as mayor of Maribojoc. In 2010, he was adjudged national winner the Seal of Good Housekeeping given by the Department of Interior and Local Governments for which he was given a P1-million cash award
that he can use in whatever project he chooses. In 2011, he won again and was again given the same amount. This
year, he made it again.
Mayor Evasco is using his cash awards for the training center and demo farm. To prepare for his project, he himself
underwent training at the Natural Farming Instute of Frank de la Pena in Panabo City. The members of the town
council, the staff of the municipal agriculture office have also undergone training in Panabo.
He said that Maribojoc is a small town with no tourist destinations to speak of. However, he has something in mind
that will fit well with the tourism boom in Bohol where there are a lot of resorts and tourist attractions. He said, he
plans to make Maribojoc the producer of organic vegetables, fruits, fish and meat for the tourists patronizing the resorts and hotels in his province.
Aside from the farmers, those who will be trained at the center will include the barangay officials, women and out-ofschool youth.
The trainees will undergo hands-on practice in growing organic crops that include vegetables and fruits, organic
chickens, pigs and goats, and organic fish. Mayor Evasco said that ponds for hito and tilapia are already in place.
The goat house for 12 milking animals is also ready for occupancy. The women could as well take care of goats which
they can feed with grasses and legumes they can grow in their backyard. They could also process organic food products.
Mayor Evasco also has his own vision of having a tourist attraction in Maribojoc someday. He said that the town is
traversed by a big river, the Abatan river, which originates in the mountains of Central Bohol, passing through four
other towns. Some day they will come up with a floating market for organic products in the Abatan river, something
like the floating market in Thailand.
That would be really something to see, not only for foreign but also for local tourists.
Posted by Zac Sarian at 3/29/2012 07:40:00 PM
26
A Natural Farming Institute
in Panabo, Davao Del Norte
Friday, March 16, 2012
The ongoing trend is production of healthy
foods, which means naturally-farmed food products
that are not sprayed with chemical pesticides or meat
products that are laced with antibiotics.
DR. FRANK DE LA PENA
The problem is that there are no well established institutions where interested individuals can
learn the fine points of organic agriculture. Most of the
seminars are conducted by individuals who have been
practicing the techniques of organic agriculture. The
curriculum is not included in formal institutions of
learning such as the colleges of agriculture and state
universities.
Of course, the pioneering individuals are doing
good service to the movement. Naturally, if the training is well organized, it could become a
healthy partnership of the government and private sector.
Probably that was what was in the mind of Dr. Francisco de la Pena Jr. when he decided
to put up about a couple of years ago his Natural Farming Institute in Panabo City. After all, he
is the founder of two colleges in Davao del Norte, one in Tagum and the other in Panabo.
So far, he has established showcases of naturally farmed pigs, chickens, goat, vegetables,
banana, papaya and even bangus. He has formulated an organic fish feed (he is a fisheries expert
with a PhD degree), and has vermiculture bins for the production of organic fertilizer. The institute also has a fermentation house where fermented juices of fruits and plant materials are processed for application in organic farming.
The first batch of trainees came from Davao City consisting mostly of barangay officials.
The strategy is to train the higher ups in the community so they can influence their constituents
to adopt organic farming techniques more effectively.
One of the most active barangay captains is Jimmy Poliquit of Davao City who has put up
his own projects of raising organic pigs and chickens. He is now readying a program whereby
the barangay funds will be used to support the dispersal of chickens and pigs among interested
barangay members. He stressed, however, that before any recipient is given his pigs or chickens,
he will have to undergo training.
Trainees at the Farming Institute of Dr. de la Pena also come from other provinces. For instance, the officials and council members of Maribojoc, Bohol, including Mayor Leoncio Evasco,
have undergone training in Panabo.
27
Aquino urged to implement programs to
boost organic farming
THURSDAY, 09 FEBRUARY 2012 19:24 JONATHAN MAYUGA / CORRESPONDENT
ORGANIC-farming advocates are urging the Aquino administration to implement the National Organic Agriculture Program to boost the production of safe, healthy foods
and food products through organic farming.
Roland Cabigas, managing director of La Liga Policy Institute (La Liga) and a convener of Go Organic! Philippines,
said President Aquino and his alter-ego in the Department
of Agriculture (DA), Secretary Proceso Alcala, should act
with dispatch to encourage farmers to shift from conventional to organic farming.
This, he said, will boost the plan to convert conventional
farms into organic farm sites where farmers produce their own organic fertilizer, and grow
rice and other high-value crops and vegetables with less of those harmful chemical fertilizers
and pesticides.
Cabigas made the call as the government holds the Sustainable Consumption and Production
(SCP) and Green Economy High-Level Preparatory Workshop. Cabigas, along with other citizen leaders, took part in one of the workshops held last week at the Astoria Plaza in Pasig
City.
The workshop aims to equip policy directors of key government organizations with a clear
understanding on SCP and Green Economy, and on how policies can be strengthened with
these tools to better address sectoral concerns while also aligning with the ultimate goal of
sustainable development in the Philippines.
La Liga and Go Orgnic! Philippines are pushing for the conversion of at least 400,000 hectares or 10 percent of the country’s agricultural land devoted to rice production into organic
farm sites by 2016.
Ideally, organic sites or zones should be established in every congressional district where
farmers can produce their own organic fertilizer and pesticide to sustain organic-rice production, as well as crops and vegetables.
According to Cabigas, the way to go organic is consistent with the pronounced policy of the
government to promote sustainable agriculture.
In line with the group’s thrusts of promoting sustainable organic and ecological agriculture,
he said President Aquino, the DA and all relevant government agencies should adopt a similar policy that promotes a lifestyle change among food producers and consumers, eventually
leading to sustainable or responsible food production and consumption.
28
“The government should invest in information, education and communication to highlight
the need to change the way we do agriculture. Decades of failure to achieve food security the
conventional farming way is proof that going organic is the way to go for the Philippines,” he
said.
“The government should invest in information, education and communication to highlight
the need to change the way we do agriculture. Decades of failure to achieve food security the
conventional farming way is proof that going organic is the way to go for the Philippines,” he
said.
La Liga, the convening organization of the Alternative Budget Initiative – Environment Cluster, is calling for increased budget allocation to promote sustainable organic and ecological
agriculture as part of its budget advocacy.
Currently, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 1 and local
government officials, La Liga is implementing Organikong Palayan-Pangasinan which covers
Alaminos City, and the municipalities of Bani, Dasol and Burgos.
The group is pushing for the integration of policies, programs and budget from the national
down to the provincial and city or municipal levels, such as the Republic Act 10068, or the
Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. Incidentally, La Liga played a vital role in consolidating inputs from various stakeholders for the drafting of the Implementing Rules of Regulation of
RA 10068 which is now in effect.
29
Jackfruit With Over A Hundred Fruits!
Friday, March 16, 2012
HAVE You seen a jackfruit as prolific as this? It had over a hundred fruits before about
half of them were thinned out. Mr. and Mrs.Rodrigo Espana are shown with their extremely
prolific jackfruit in their farm in General Santos City in Mindanao.The tree is just an ordinary
variety that did not previously produce any significant number of fruits. However, when Rodrigo applied two formulations of growth and fruit enhancers developed by Alfonso G. Puyat, the
tree produced more than a hundred fruits. One formulation hastens the vegetative development of
the plant while the other induces the production of
a lot of fruits. The powder which is dissolved in water and then sprayed on the leaves makes the tree
hungry so it absorbs as much nutrients in the soil
as possible. That is why it is important to apply a
lot of organic fertilizer around the base of the tree.
Puyat's formulations are sprayed on the
leaves. They enable the tree to absorb a lot of nutrients so they become prolific. The fruits are sweet
because the fruiting formulation contains a lot of
potassium. Of course, some of the fruits have to be
thinned when they are about 1 to 2 kilos each and
could be sold or used as vegetable.
Posted by Zac Sarian at 3/16/2012 06:58:00 PM
http://zacsarian.blogspot.com
Oysters Grown On Floating
Bamboo Raft Saturday, April 21, 2012
The old system in growing oysters at the Pantal
River in Dagupan City is to put bamboo stakes in
the ground. The spats or baby oysters will attach
themselves to the bamboo poles.
Now, Dagupan City agriculturist Emma Molina,
a fisheries expert, has introduced the floating
bamboo raft system. In this system, strips of rubber (interior of trucks) about an inch wide and
two meters long, are suspended from the bamboo
raft. The spats will attach themselves to the strips
of rubber.
This is the bloating bamboo raft. Strips of rubber about
an inch wide are attached under the bamboo raft.
The advantage is that there is freer flow of water than when the bamboo poles are staked in the
ground.
Posted by Zac Sarian at 4/21/2012 12:55:00 PM http://zacsarian.blogspot.com
30
Growing Organic Medicinal Herbs
An herb can be described as a plant or
plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities. An herb is defined as a seedproducing annual, biennial, or perennial plant that
does not develop persistent woody tissue and dies
down at the end of a growing season.
Herbs have been used for various purposes
since many years. Many things come to mind when
we think of growing and using herbs. For example,
the spicy and piney scent of rosemary growing in
the garden, a steaming hot cup of mint tea, an aromatic bath with lavender, or a delicious Italian meal with lots of oregano and garlic. If you’ve ever come
down with a cold and wanted to naturally boost your immune system, you’ve probably relied on herbs such
as Echinacea or Goldenseal. Additionally, many herbs can be used as coloring agents, cosmetics, and natural
room deodorizers. Not to mention that the simple act of growing herbs in your home or garden is a relaxing
and rewarding experience.
Growing herbs in a home garden is an easy and fun way to have a ready supply of plants that have
many uses other than culinary. Organic herbs have been grown and used for medicinal purposes for centuries. More often than not, a medical ailment requires a variety of herbs. Growing several different organic medicinal herbs together in one herb garden will make this process much more convenient for the gardener.
First step in organic gardening of medicinal plants is to determine which herb you want to grow. Since there
are more than 100 varieties of medicinal herbs used for various ailments, it is wise to make a list of all the
ailments you wish to work on first. Find lists online that have the individual medicinal herbs for each particular ailment, and write down the herb names and select the plants of your choice. Then get organic herb
seeds of these medicinal plants from your nearest nursery.
Once you get desired seeds, germinate them indoors according to planting date instructions on the
package. Calculate the germination start date. Take the last frost date in your area and count back from that
date by however long the germination rate is on the herb package. Fill a large planting tray with seed starting
mix and plant the organic herb seeds according to package directions. Tape the herb package to a toothpick
and place in front of the corresponding seeds to label for future reference. Water the seeds. Cover the tray
with plastic wrap and set in a warm location until seeds begin to sprout. Then transfer the sprouted seeds to
garden bed which gets minimum 5 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. Lay a thick layer of mulch, such as shredded leaves, around the base of each medicinal herb seedling. Water the herb garden bed thoroughly and
deeply at time of planting. Continue to water at least one to two times per week, increasing the watering as
the weather gets hotter. Pull all weeds from the herb garden weekly.
Medicinal herbs are also grown hydroponically. Hydroponics is a technique of growing plants in a
soilless, hydrophilic culture. Medicinal herbs grow very well in hydroponic media like perlite and coco coir.
Reasonably priced metal halide lamps simulate sunlight for strong, healthy vegetative growth of herbs. A hydroponic garden can produce an impressive number of herbs in a very small area.
31
32
Pork with Bamboo Shoots
Ingredients:
* 1 cup of dried mushrooms
* 1/4 kg pork fillet
* 1/4 kg of bamboo shoots
* 3 tbps of corn oil
* 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
* 2 tbps Soy sauce
* 1 tbp Corn flour
Cooking Procedures:
1. Soak mushrooms in warm water for about 10 minutes, squeeze it till it dry. Then,
slice the mushrooms into halves and keep it soaked in water.
2. Slice pork thinly and in a large bowl, mix soy sauce, corn flour and pork all together.
3. Cut bamboo shoots into thin slices.
4, Get a frying pan or a wok, put the corn oil and stir-fry the pork until color turn light
brown (do not overcook the pork), remove the pork and set it aside.
5. Keep the remaining oil in a pan where you fried the pork to keep the taste. Fry the
mushrooms and bamboo shoots, then add salt, pork, and then stir well. Cook for few
minutes and stirr it constantly until it's done.
For presentation purposes, serve it with steam rice and put the cooked dish as toppings.
Personally, I'll put cut onion leaves and sprinkle it on top.
33
Ensaladang Mangga (Green Mango Salad)
Ingredients:
1 whole green mango, chopped into small pieces
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small tomato, chopped
1 to 2 tbsp of shrimp paste or bagoong
Procedure:
Mix all the ingredients in one container.
Serve as a side dish.
34
Spicy Shrimp and Asparagus Chinese
Stir Fry
Spicy Shrimp and Asparagus Chinese Stir Fry Recipe is a great and easy to prepare
with great flavor. This dish is fast enough to make for a weeknight but also tasty for
special occasions.
Spicy Shrimp and Asparagus Chinese Stir Fry Recipe is a chinese influenced entrée flavored with soy, white wine and sesame, rich in vitamins and minerals. And it is also low in
calories and fat.
Ingredients:
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
17 medium sized shrimp
2 tablespoons white wine
1/4 cup water
230 grams green asparagus
1 tablespoon cane vinegar
1 tsp sesame seeds
2 Red Chilies, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons white sugar
Instructions:
Peel, devein and butterfly the shrimp you must leave the tails intact.
Wash asparagus thoroughly and cut off tough ends.
Cut each Asparagus spear into 4 diagonal cuts.
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a hot wok or large frying pan.
Add half the shrimp and stir fry for 30 seconds.
Remove shrimp from wok or pan and set aside. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
Add remaining oil to hot wok. Stir in asparagus, thinly sliced red chilies and garlic.
Stir fry for 30 seconds, stirring constantly so that garlic does not burn.
Put shrimp back into the wok then add the wine, the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame seeds
and sesame oil. Stir fry for another 30 seconds.
Add the water then simmer for 30 seconds or until shrimp are just cooked through.
Arrange shrimp and asparagus on a large plate.
Serve with hot Rice.
35
Filipino style Spicy Shrimp Broccoli Stir Fry
This Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry dish is an easy nutritious recipe that uses shrimp, broccoli florets, chili’s and
bell pepper with onions, and ginger.
Spicy Shrimp Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe is a healthy and
delicious spicy shrimp and broccoli on your table in less
than 30 minutes. Try it and you will surely love it.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Butter
1/4 Kilo fresh Shrimp medium sized, peeled
and deveined
1 tablespoon Canola Oil
1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
2 tablespoon Oyster sauce
1 medium Red bell pepper, cut into strips
3 pcs Siling Labuyo ( Red Chili’s ),
finely chopped
2 medium green onions, cut into small pieces
a handful of salted peanuts
1 tablespoon Sesame oil
Instructions:
Heat the Skillet in medium fire then place the butter and Canola Oil, once melted
Sear the Broccoli florets, set aside.
Add the Sesame Oil to the Skillet then saute’ onions, Siling Labuyo (red chili) and red
bell pepper for 1 minute.
Add shrimp, oyster sauce and Broccoli then stir-fry until shrimp are pink and firm.
Sprinkle with peanuts.
Serve with rice.
36
Apan-apan
Apan-apan is an Ilonggo favorite and an
authentic dish in the Ilonggo region. It
is closest to Adobong kangkong, a famous dish in the Tagalog region. As an
Ilonggo I would say that Apan-apan
is much more flavorful and mouthwatering because of Ginamos.
Ginamos is very close to Bagoong Alamang but a far cry from bagoong. Apan
-apan Recipe is very easy and simple to
cook, great for a quick meal. Prepare
more rice when you cook this dish, you
will surely crave for more!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup vinegar
Kangkong (River Spinach) 1 bunch or tali.
1/2 tablespoon sugar
3 cloves of Garlic, finely chopped
Cooking Oil
1 Medium sized Onion, sliced
Green hot pepper, sliced (optional)
1 teaspoons of Guinamos (Shrimp paste)
or Bago-ong Alamang
Instructions:
Wash and clean the Kangkong
Remove the leaves of kangkong then cut stems to 2 inches long. Set aside.
In a fry or sauce Pan sauté garlic and onion.
Add the Kangkong and Guinamos or bagoong alamang, and vinegar stir well then bring
to a boil until the stems are cooked.
Add the sugar and green hot pepper, you can add more Vinegar if you prefer more
sour taste.
Let it simmer for few minutes.
Serve hot with garlic rice
37
How to Build a Homemade Hydroponics System?
38
How to Build a Homemade Hydroponics System
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Homemade-Hydroponics-System
Building your own water works system is
quite simple and can be fun, if you know how
to follow instructions. This type of system
would be best used for water loving plants
such as lettuce.
Steps
1
Choose the type of system you want to build. Your choices include:
Water Culture. This is a low cost, easy-to-build option. It results in your plants
being suspended in water by a StyroFoam platform. The water will be filled
with a nutrient solution. You can grow 5-6 plants per 5 gallon water culture
system.
Multi Flow. This is a medium cost, fairly difficult-to-build option. It relies on
gravity to flood plant trays with water and nutrient. You can use a timer and
float switch to control water levels. You can grow many plants at a time with
this system.
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Ebb and Flow. This is a low-cost, moderately easy-to-build system. Your plant tray
is put on top of a reservoir and connected to the reservoir with tubing. A water
pump pumps water and nutrients to the plants. Excess liquid is returned to the
reservoir for later use. You can grow a fair amount of plants with this system.
2
Gather all the materials you need for this project.
They are listed in the "Things You'll Need" section.
Water Culture
1
Find a container to use as reservoir such as
a fish tank or a bin/bucket. If it's not light
-proof, the reservoir should be painted
black (or covered with thick black trash
bag if you want to reuse a tank).
#*Allowing light to enter the reservoir
will promote the growth of algae, which
disrupts the growth of other plants by
stealing oxygen and nutrients. #*It is a
good idea to use a reservoir that is the
same dimensions (length x width) from
top to bottom (Example: Top is 36" x
20" and bottom is 36" x 20").
Find a container to use as reservoir such as a fish tank or a bin/bucket.
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2
If possible, use a fish tank or similar container as your reservoir. Spray paint tank (if translucent) black and let dry. Before painting, apply a strip of painters' tape vertically from
the top edge to the bottom. When the paint dries, remove
the tape and use the unpainted space to show you how much
water is in the reservoir.
Creating this line, however, is not necessary as you can
determine how much water is in the reservoir simply by
noticing how far down the floater (StyroFoam) has
sunk.
Adding the line gives a more accurate and convenient
view of the nutrient solution level.
If possible, use a fish tank or similar
container as your reservoir.
3
Use a tape measurer to get the length and width of
your reservoir. Measure from inside of the reservoir from one end to the other. Once you have the
dimensions, cut the StyroFoam 1/4" (inch) smaller than the size of the reservoir.
For example, if your dimensions are 36" in
length and 20" in width you should cut the
StyroFoam to 35 3/4" x 19 3/4".
The StyroFoam should fix nicely, with just
enough room to adjust to water level changes.
Use a tape measurer to get the length and width of
your reservoir.
lf the reservoir tapers off at the bottom (the bottom is smaller in dimension
than the top) the floater (StyroFoam) should be 2"-4" smaller than the reservoir
(or more if necessary).
4
Do not place StyroFoam in reservoir yet! First, you
need to cut the holes for the net pots. Put the net
pots on the StyroFoam where you want to place each
plant.
Using a pen or pencil, trace around the bottom
of the net pots. Use a sharp tool such as a knife
or box cutter to follow the trace lines and cut
the holes for pots. (KIDS!!! Get help from an
adult.)
Do not place StyroFoam in reservoir yet! First,
you need to cut the holes for the net pots.
On one end of the StyroFoam (any end), cut a small hole for the air line to run
into the reservoir.
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5
The number of plants you can grow will depend on the size of the garden you build and the
types of crops you want to grow. Remember to space plants appropriately so that each
receives ample amounts of light.
6
The pump you choose must be strong enough to provide enough oxygen to sustain plants.
Ask for advice choosing a pump at your local hydroponics supply store. Tell them the
size of your reservoir (In gallons - 2, 5, 10 gallons, etc.) and they should be able to make
a recommendation.
7
Connect the air line to the pump and attach the air stone to the free end. The air line
should be long enough to travel from the pump into the bottom of the reservoir or at
least float in the middle some where so the oxygen bubbles can get to the roots. It also
must be the right size for the pump you choose. Most pumps will come with the correct
size air line.
To make your best approximation, use a one gallon bucket/bottle or any container
of known capacity and fill the reservoir. Remember to count how much it takes to fill
the reservoir and you will know the capacity of your reservoir.
8
Set up hydroponics system.
Fill reservoir with nutrient solution.
Place the StyroFoam in tank.
Run the air line through the designated hole/notch.
Fill the net pots with growing medium and place one plant in each pot.
Put the net pots into the designated holes in StyroFoam.
Turn on/plug-in pump and start growing with your fully-functional, homemade hydroponics system.
Multi Flow
1
Place your six pots on a stable surface. Be sure that the surface is not tilted, or the system
will not work properly.
2
Connect them with the PVC fittings and tubes. If the container you have is designed for a
multi flow system, it should have a automatically turn the power on and off as the water
levels in the container change. Thus, this is a safer and more efficient flood/drain system than those used in ebb and flows (see next section)
3
Put the plants in the small plant trays. Ensure that everything is working properly.
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Ebb and Flow
1
Choose a location for your reservoir. Put the plant tray on top of the reservoir. If it doesn't
fit well, set up a support structure to keep it level.
2
Install the fill/drain system in the tray. Connect tubes to the water pump and place it inside the reservoir. Double check that overflow goes back into the reservoir, rather than
spilling out around it.
3
Connect the pump timer.
4
Place the plants and their pots in the tray.
Tips
A homemade hydroponics system like this is not ideal for a large scale production or
commercial usage. This particular system plan does not offer a way to conveniently
change nutrient solution. An extra container would be required to hold the floater while
you change the solution.
Plant growth usually reduces the pH of the water drastically, so be sure to check pH with
a dropper kit.
Make sure to protect your reservoir from light in order to discourage the growth of algae,
which can disrupt plant growth by diverting oxygen.
Be careful when cutting Styrofoam with a box cutter or knife. Although Styrofoam is a
relatively soft material and does not require deep cuts, a small misstep can still result in a
lot of pain for your fingers.
Preferably, use a reservoir that is rectangular in shape. The top and bottom sides should
ideally be of the same dimensions to promote even plant growth and nutrient distribution.
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Warnings
Kids should not build this system alone. Please get help from an adult when using sharp
or heavy objects.
The hydroponics system works best plants that require a lot of water, such as lettuce.
Those plants have an easier time with water and nutrient uptake. If your crop is not as
absorbent, it may not grow well in this reservoir.
Things You’ll Need
External pump. You will also need a switch system for multi flow to automatically regulate water levels.
Tubing. This should be PVC for multi flow systems and an air tube for water culture. any
normal tubing will work for ebb and flow.
Water proof bin, bucket, fish tank to use as a reservoir. If you are building a multi flow
system, it should be verticle to allow for better flood control. It should also have a controller unit to plug the water pump into.
StyroFoam if you are implementing a water culture system. An inch or so thick should be
fine.
Pots. Mesh Pots are ideal for water cultures, whereas plastic nursery pots are acceptable
for ebb and flow systems.
Plant trays. You will create your own from StyroFoam if you are planning on implementing a water culture system. Otherwise, you should have at least six trays for a multi flow
system or a plastic/plastic-covered metal ebb and flow tray for an ebb and flow system.
Growing medium - Rockwool, Grow rocks, etc.
Hydroponics nutrients - (Grow formula, Bloom formula, Supplements, Ph)
Black spray paint, paint (only required if reservoir is transparent)
Sharp object - Knife, box cutter, scissors (This is not a task for minors)
Air stones for a water culture system
A flow/drain system for ebb and flow. This is a group of drains and pipes that water to be
cycled back into the reservoir.
Make sure you keep your pots on stable surfaces, or you may result with uneven plant
growth.
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45
Boosting Health with Antioxidants
Free Radicals are one of the causes of cell damage.
These are produced in the cells through a chemical
reaction known as oxidation. Antioxidants are particles that are able to slow down or prevent oxidation from happening leaving the cells unharmed.
Why should I continue reading this article when
some of the terms in the first paragraph alone
seem confusing? Chronic diseases such as cancer
and hardening of the arteries can possibly be
caused by cell damage due to Free Radicals. Did
that catch your attention? I guess you better read
on.
Now that I have your attention; let me use some analogy to simplify the idea. Imagine that
your house is your body and the kitchen garbage are Free Radicals. What will happen if you
do not take the garbage out for a day? Yes, your kitchen will smell. Imagine the garbage piling up for a week or even a month without you disposing them. Gross isn’t it? Your whole
house smells like garbage and this can affect your actions and mood. The stink from the inside will eventually spread until it becomes noticeable from outside the house. Antioxidants
are garbage collectors that take the garbage out of your kitchen leaving your house (which is
your body in reality) clean and smelling good.
Where can I get Antioxidants?
Of course, you always want your body to be safe from Free Radicals and you might now be
asking as to where you can get Antioxidants. There are several sources of Antioxidants; some
of them are listed below.
Vitamin C (also known as Mineral Ascorbates)
Gluthathione (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine)
Melatonin
Vitamin E (also known as d-alpha Tocopherol)
Wait a minute, did you mean that my daily supplement in pill or capsule form supplies Antioxidants? The answer to this question is yes, provided that Vitamin C and Vitamin E are present in your daily pill or capsule supplement. As for Gluthathione and Malatonin, there are
some supplements claiming to contain them (some even sell the idea of looking young – as if
you discovered the fountain of youth). I am not endorsing any product here neither do I recommend you to try them out. I am merely stating a fact that some vitamins and minerals
contain Antioxidants.
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The best way is still to consume Antioxidants naturally. You can do this by adding foods
rich in Antioxidants in your daily diet. Here are the top 20.
1. Small Red Bean
2. Wild blueberry
3. Red kidney bean
4. Pinto bean
5. Blueberry
6. Cranberry
7. Artichoke
8. Blackberry
9. Dried Prune
10. Raspberry
11. Strawberry
12. Red apple
13. Granny Smith apple
14. Pecan
15. Sweet cherry
16. Black plum
17. Russet potato
18. Black bean
19. Plum
20. Gala apple
Additional information that you should consider
Antioxidants protect you for a short period of time; it is important that you take these
foods in a regular basis.
Like any other supplement, taking-in Antioxidants (whether food or supplements) should
always be done in moderation. Always remember that too much of anything can be toxic.
Let’s enjoy food and try to live a healthier life. Have you done something good for you’re
body lately?
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48
7 Foods Proven to Lower Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is defined as the force that the blood applies on
the arteries as it flows. Optimal blood pressure with respect to cardiovascular risk is less than 120/80 mm Hg (source: americanheart.org).
A person with a high blood pressure means that he or she has
“Hypertension”. This is regarded as a silent killer and has no definite
symptoms to watch out for. The best way to determine if you have a
high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.
If you have hypertension, consult your doctor right away for proper
treatment. You would likely be advised to control your blood pressure by
exercising more, lowering your salt intake, drinking alcohol in moderation, reduce stress, and avoiding foods that can trigger hypertension.
There are certain foods that you can take as supplement to lower your
blood pressure. However, your doctor’s advice should still be strictly
followed.
Here are 7 of our recommendations:
1. Celery – Celery is not only regarded as a supplement to lower blood
pressure, it is also known to reduce weight. This vegetable contains a
compound called 3-N-butyl-phthalide that has been tested to lower
blood pressure; it also regulates blood flow by relaxing the muscles.
2. Skim milk – Skim milk is rich in calcium and vitamin D. Studies show that people with low calcium
intakes have high rates of blood pressure. It is significant to achieve the daily calcium need of 1,000 mg.
Lack of vitamin D, on the other hand, may increase the risk of high blood pressure. This was the latest
study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan (source: natural news ).
3. Garlic – Garlic is known to have plenty of health benefits. It can reduce bad cholesterol which is one
factor of blood pressure. In China, it is used as a medicine in curing high blood pressure for Centuries.
4. Green leafy vegetables – Green leafy vegetables are usually high in Magnesium. It has been discovered from studies that a diet with low Magnesium has a high possibility for blood pressure to rise.
5. Banana – Banana is rich in potassium. Studies show that low potassium intake can be one of the
reasons for blood pressure to rise. Regularly having foods that are rich in potassium (such as banana)
can prevent blood pressure from rising.
6. Dark Chocolate – This isn’t a typographical error. According to JAMA (Journal of the medical association), a daily habitual low intake of dark chocolate can lower the blood pressure of an individual.
7. Fish – Omega-3 fatty acids plays a huge part in reducing high blood pressure and has other health
benefits as well. This fatty acid can commonly be found in fatty fish such as mackerel and salmon. Although there are health benefits in fish, it is still recommended to cook the fish using less cooking oil as
possible. Baking, steaming, and grilling are the 3 recommended methods.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of foods that can be eaten as supplement for high
blood pressure. Your turn, name other foods that we can add to the list.
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Healthy baon tips for school kids
Did you ever consider that what you put in your child’s
lunch box can be a big factor to his over-all health?
Sadly, when you open the lunch boxes of many school
children today, you are most likely to find snacks that are
high in sugar, fat and salt. Many children today are accustomed to processed foods, junk foods and sugary
treats as school snacks. Potato chips, donuts, hotdogs,
chocolate chip cookies and artificial fruit juices are just
some examples of school snacks that parents give their
kids. Such types of school snacks may satisfy the appetite of young school children but it does not give them
the important nutrients that they need for optimum
growth.
A lot of these unhealthy snacks may lead to health problems such as dental problems, diabetes
and obesity. It’s about time for parents to change the snacking habits of their children to something more healthy and beneficial.
Prioritize your child’s nutrition
Eating healthy food can help children perform better in school. Better performance will most
likely translate to better grades.
Activeone Health Inc. Medical Director Dr. Gia Sison told GMA News that is important to consider nutrition as well as variety when preparing breakfast and school snacks for kids. Children
need adequate nutrition to boost energy and enhance memory for better school performance.
Sison suggested energy boosting foods, particularly complex carbohydrates such as oats and
cereals to sustain a child’s energy all throughout the day. She also recommends memory enhancing foods that are rich in calcium and iron like cheese and eggs.
At first, it may be normal for some children to dislike the healthy snack options that you present
to them. Introduce new snacks gradually and consistently. Be patient and soon enough, kids
will come around to prefer more nutritious snacks.
Here are some simple tips to help parents prepare healthy snack options for their children:
Prepare healthy sandwiches for your kids instead of giving them junk food. Some examples
of sandwiches to consider giving as baon include tuna, grilled cheese, ham and cheese,
chicken and egg sandwiches. You can also combine your child’s favorite spread with a
healthy ingredient. For example, if your child loves Nuttela spread, you can add slices of
bananas to come up with a Nutella Banana sandwich.
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Consider using whole wheat or
whole grain bread instead of the
usual white bread for your child’s
sandwiches. Whole wheat or whole
grain bread contain fiber and protein that can provide kids with better source of energy.
As much as possible, try to add
ve g e t ab le s in yo u r ch ild ' s
snacks. For example, you can add
lettuce and slices of tomatoes to
some sandwiches.
For young picky eaters, you can
make sandwiches more interesting by using cookie cutters to make different fun shapes.
Aside from typical sandwiches, you can prepare sandwich wraps as snacks. You can use
chapatti or tortilla in making sandwich wraps. There are many different fillings to choose
from such as chicken with light mayonnaise; tuna with light mayonnaise; and ham with
cheese and tomatoes.
Pack fresh fruits inside your child’s lunch box such as apples, grapes, oranges and bananas. Whole fruits are better because sliced ones can easily lose its freshness. To keep
sliced fruits from browning, drizzle them with some lemon or calamansi juice.
You can also turn ordinary fruits into interesting snacks. For example, slice a ripe banana
into half and spread some peanut butter into the cut halves. Wrap it in a plastic wrap and
freeze for at least three hours. This Frozen Peanut Butter Banana is a hit with a lot of kids.
You can also roll it in granola or chopped nuts. Peanut butter is also great with apples. The peanut butter that most kids love is a good source of vitamin E and vitamin B3
or niacin. It also contains minerals such as magnesium, iron, potassium, copper and calcium.
Instead of artificial juice packs, give your kids real fruit juice. Real fruit juice is good for
your child’s body because it is rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin C
and folate. On the other hand, most artificial juice drinks are composed of artificial sweeteners and additives. Artificial fruit juices only imitate the flavors and the color of the real
fruit but it is laden with artificial flavors and artificial colors.
Do not give your child soft drinks as part of school snack. Soft drinks are known to be high
in sugar and calories and may contribute to tooth decay, cavities and child obesity.
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Pack some water in your child’s lunchbox. Water will help keep active kids hydrated throughout the day. Water is better
than sugary and carbonated drinks.
Avoid giving your child candy and
chocolate for school snack. Candy and
chocolate bars are high in sugar content
and do not have the important nutrients
that kids need. Eating too many sweet
treats may contribute to cavities.
Avoid processed foods as much as
possible. If your child likes chicken nuggets, consider making your owninstead of buying
the processed type in the supermarket. Store bought frozen chicken nuggets often contain artificial additives.
Surprise your child with a nice treat from time to time. If you like baking, you can make
muffins or cupcakes using healthy ingredients. Some examples are banana, carrot and
pumpkin muffins or cupcakes.
Observe your child’s normal appetite. Avoid giving your child huge school snack servings that he will have a hard time finishing.
It is best to plan your child’s baon for the week. Make sure you provide variety because
most kids can get tired of eating the same type of food.
An insulated lunch box will help keep snacks fresh and warm. Make sure containers
have a tight lock to keep food from spilling but can be easily opened by a child. Some
containers have dividers to prevent different snacks from mixing with one another.
Choose easy-to-hold bottles and tumblers for your child’s drinks. Try to choose lunch
box and containers that have colorful designs to make it more interesting for kids.
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