In this issue

From GLOOM to BLOOM

TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED PROMPTED A COUPLE TO BUY A LOT AND START THEIR OWN FILIPINO DREAM OF FARMING

ED AND CECILE GABATAN have been working in the corporate world for years. Like many other Fllipinos who have spent their work days dealing with paperwork and facing a computer, they too, dream of retiring on a farm someday where they can enjoy the fresh breeze and grow their own food.

4 mins

URBAN GARDENER GROWS FOOD IN PLASTIC DRUMS AMID THE QUARANTINE FOR THEIR FAMILY'S FOOD SECURITY

IN QUEZON CITY, Daisy Cu, 46, began growing vegetables in their residence as an attempt at food security and self-sufficiency. Cu has been tending ornamental plants and fruit-bearing trees for years now. Her free time during the quarantine allowed her not only to focus on cultivating her existing plants, but also to produce vegetables at home using plastic drums. Cu's goal to provide food for their family is what urged her to establish a decorative, yet an edible garden incorporating ornamental and food crops. "With the use of the blue drums, I was able to achieve my intention of creating an edible but decorative garden plus I was able to repurpose the drums as well,” Cu explained.

3 mins

YOUNG SEAFARER GROWS GRAPES TO GET BACK ON HIS FEET

BEING A SEAFARER is one of the most arduous jobs that one can engage in. Not only does it require a good amount of physical strength and endurance, but it also calls for a sound mental and emotional capacity. These qualities help them survive for months on end at sea, far from their family and the usual comforts they are accustomed to.

4 mins

SOFTWARE ENGINEERS ESTABLISH FARM TO EARN PROFIT AND FOSTER FOOD SECURITY

PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE has had its highs and lows over the years. Some examples of its low points include oversupply in farmers' crops, and land grabbing. Meanwhile, it has also seen some success through the rise of farm tourism destinations, the establishment of farm to market roads, and programs aimed to help out the Filipino farmer.

3 mins

SENIOR CITIZEN'S QUEZON FARM IS THE PRODUCT OF HARD WORK

ROMULO B. AYAG , or Ka Mulong as he is fondly called, owner of Ka Mulong’s Farm, had to go through a tough life to obtain the hard-earned achievements that he and his family now savor.

4 mins

RETIRED CORPORATE EMPLOYEE IS NOW A FULL-TIME FARMER

A LOT OF PEOPLE become farmers in retirement. One of them is Thelma Murillo, a retiree who is now a full-time farmer after working in the corporate world for more than 30 years.

6 mins

MANILENO FAMILY WHO MOVED TO ALBAY FINDS SUCCESS IN FARMING AND EARNS OVER P60,000 A MONTH

LIVING IN THE CITY means convenience and other benefits, but it also entails bearing with traffic, noise, and pollution. For this reason, others may find urban life exhausting, making them yearn for a peaceful and healthy environment.

7 mins

REMOTE FOREST FARM IN RIZAL BOASTS AN ALL-NATURAL FARM EXPERIENCE

IN HINDUISM, Vaikuntha is the name of the celestial abode of Vishnu, one of the three main gods of the religion who is responsible for protecting and maintaining life on earth.

5 mins

FORMER OFW RUNS INTEGRATED NATURAL FARM IN ORIENTAL MINDORO, DONATES FARM PRODUCTS AMID PANDEMIC

LOVE AND PASSION are the two things that spurred Ramona M. Pastor, owner of HN Organic Farm, to fully devote her time to farming after working in various fields abroad for over 10 years.

5 mins

FARMERS' DAUGHTER DEVELOPS A FARM RESORT THAT EARNS PROFIT AND PRESERVES THE ENVIRONMENT

PEOPLE sometimes have the false notion that farmers would not wish for their children to follow in their footsteps, or that the youth have no interest in farming like their ancestors.

3 mins

ZAMBALES FARM HAS A COMPETITIVE EDGE IN THE MARKET THROUGH HYDROPONICS

THERE ARE MANY TECHNIQUES in farming that cater to the different growing conditions that farmers have to deal with. For example, there’s the use of natural inputs to produce healthy and chemical free food.

5 mins

ZAMBOANGA CITY FASHION DESIGNER GROWS OVER 200 PLANTS IN HER SMALL GARDEN

WHEN IT COMES TO FASHION, one must have a keen eye for beauty and creativity. A designer who knows how to utilize various shapes and colors will surely create unique as well as eye-catching pieces.

3 mins

PROPERTY CLEAN UP PROJECT OF A COUPLE PROGRESSED INTO A PROLIFIC URBAN GARDEN

A PARCEL OF LAND can mean countless opportunities, may it be for commercial or residential purposes. For a couple named Cristina and Carlo Guerrero, a biologist and visual artist respectively, an idle family property is something that they can transform into a beautiful creation.

6 mins

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL : MARINE SCIENTISTS SAY MOST PARROTFISH SOLD IN THE MARKETS AREN'T ENDANGERED AND THAT MISINFORMATION AND MISPLACED CONSERVATION ENDANGERS FISHERFOLK

This was retweeted by Kent Sorgon, an ichthyologist based in UP Los Baños, accompanied by a status message that said: “Local dive shops mostly owned by foreigners are telling fisherfolk that they’ll report them to the police if they see them catching and selling parrotfish, an important food fish that is completely *legal* to catch here for their survival and livelihood. “Conservation” my ass.”

7 mins

MT. BUSA: AN AREA THAT NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED

THE BUSA MOUNTAIN RANGE (BMR) straddles the provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato in southern Mindanao.

4 mins

MANOBO-OWNED COCONUT FARM RECOVERED FROM DEFORESTATION AND IS NOW A THRIVING FARM BUSINESS

MANY COCONUT PLANTATIONS were greatly affected during the decline of the coconut industry in Quezon years back, And to cope, many farmers were forced to cut down their coconut trees to produce charcoal and coconut lumber instead of copra. Unfortunately, Glinoga Organic farm (GOF) was one of the areas that was denuded because of this.

4 mins

DRAGON FRUIT FARM THAT STARTED AS A HOBBY IS NOW A BUDDING FARM TOURISM SITE

HOBBIES are a great way to pass the time since these keep a person entertained while also honing skill such as logic, creativity, and more. Other than being a source of enjoyment or relaxation, hobbies can also be profitable if properly developed.

4 mins

CAVITE INTERIOR DESIGNER IS ALSO A WEEKEND FARMER

YOU WOULD THINK that individuals with stable and good career paths would only stick to their jobs and would still feel safe enough not to worry about the nation or their family’s food security. It might be true for someone else, but this is not the case for this professional.

6 mins

BANK CHAIRWOMAN ALSO RUNS AN EDUCATIONAL GARDEN DESTINATION

ESTABLISHED IN JULY 1916 during the American occupation, the Philippine National Bank (PNB) had an initial mandate of providing services to the country’s industry and agriculture, as well as to support the government’s economic development efforts.

7 mins

AGRITOURISM STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES THROUGH SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

AFTER 14 YEARS OF ABANDONMENT, a family-owned land in Pampanga was redeveloped by a couple as a way of giving honor to their late father. Tibby’s farm is an 11-hectare farm located in Angeles, Pampanga that aims to empower people through training them on natural farming for inclusive growth.

8 mins

MAKING MONEY FROM ORNAMENTALS AND WATER PLANTS

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS are plants that are grown for decorative purposes. These are commonly planted in gardens or as elements in a landscape design. They can also be accents indoors. For some, caring for ornamentals can be quite expensive (depending on the variety), but for others, it can be a good source of livelihood.

3 mins

FORMER TEACHER CREATES A ‘BOUGIE WONDERLAND' IN ISABELA

THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA in the northern part of the Philippines is known to hold several agricultural titles. With its large production of rice and corn, Isabela is known as the Top Corn Producer of the Philippines and Rice Bowl of the North.

2 mins

PART-TIME BOUGAINVILLEA GROWER EARNS A MINIMUM OF ₱20,000 A MONTH FROM SELLING CUTTINGS

SHIRLEY VILLAMOR, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software consultant, started gardening with a limited understanding of the practice. In hopes of pursuing a hobby that’s different from the nature of her work, she ended up developing a garden to benefit her mental health. “Gardening is my stress reliever. It helps me focus and gives me a sense of peace and serenity.”

3 mins

BUKIDNON PLANT NURSERY IS THE BREAD AND BUTTER OF ITS FOUNDING FAMILY

A PLANT NURSERY is a place where plants are propagated and grown to a desired age until it can be transplanted or sold. For a family in Northern Mindanao, a plant nursery is their primary source of income that has gotten them through life and trying times.

2 mins

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT: FARM YOUTH PROGRAM TRAINEE RETURNS FROM JAPAN EXCHANGE, HOPES TO START OWN CITRUS FARM

MANY ARE QUICK TO DISMISS YOUNG PEOPLE as having no interest in agriculture. However, the growing number of young farmers show that this need not be the case, especially if they know that they can make good money tilling the land.

5 mins

OFW'S AQUACULTURE FARM HARVESTS 5,000 KILOS OF CATFISH; SELLS IT AT ₱115 PER KILO

AT 44-YEARS-OLD, Edwin Lindo, a warehouse assistant at the Waitrose Regional Distribution Centre in the United Kingdom, has always dreamt of retiring at 55-yearsold in his hometown of Davao City. With roughly 11 years to go, Lindo is halfway through realizing his dream.

5 mins

SIZE DOESN'T MATTER: BATANGAS FAMILY FARM STILL FINDS SUCCESS IN SMALL-SCALE OPERATIONS

IN FARMING, people have the false notion that success comes with hectares of land used for growing all sorts of crops or raising a variety of livestock.

7 mins

FORMER CAFE OWNER'S PANDEMIC ENDEAVOR LINKS BENGUET FARMERS TO MANILA CUSTOMERS

THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC has forced life to a near standstill. Many businesses have been forced to close or switch to a more viable source of income. For Wilma T. Gaspili, affectionately known as Ate Wammie to friends, the temporary closure of her coffee shop Igorot’s Charm Cafe in Baguio City led to a business that helps local farmers as well.

6 mins

COUPLE INVESTED IN AN URBAN CHICKEN FARM TO FOSTER FOOD SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT URBAN FARMING what usually comes to mind is growing vegetables, fruits, and all sorts of edible plants which could be used for personal consumption. A couple decided to take a different approach and invested in chickens instead.

6 mins

AN ORCHID FARM IN BULACAN MAKES THE LUXURY PLANT AVAILABLE FOR ALL

IN THE 1980’S, orchids became a popular plant because of its colorful and delicate blooms. However, it was mostly reserved as a luxury for the gardens and houses wealthy because of how limited the supply of orchids were at the time.

4 mins

Read all stories from Agriculture

Agriculture Magazine Description:

Agriculture Magazine is the most widely circulated magazine of its kind in the country. Every month, it regularly features winning strategies of successful agri-people in various areas of farming, including sustainable technologies in the production of crops, livestock and poultry and fisheries. It also covers food processing, creative marketing, plant and animal nutrition, farm management, research results and many others.