Agriculture Business Week

Farmers in irrigated rice farms may as well consider the use of a drum seeder for crop establishment and practice reduced tillage for lower production cost and improved labor productivity.

This is the gist of a research paper from PhilRice that was adjudged the second best paper in the farm machinery and mechanization category during the recent 58th annual national convention of the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers at UP Los Banos. The paper was written by Dr. Manuel Jose C. Regalado, Engr. Paulino S. Ramos, and Dr. Rolando T. Cruz.

The researchers said that the increasing cost of farm labor is one of the major factors that should be considered in the adoption of innovative land preparation and crop establishment practices like reduced tillage and drum seeding. They added that 60 percent of the total input costs in rice production is spent for farm labor.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Posted on August 12th, 2008 under Rice. Tags: Rice. Comments: None

The sensation on dragong fruit, or night blooming cactus, can be attributed to a myth created by ingenious Asian marketers.

According to the myth, the fruit was created thousands of years ago by fire breathing dragons. During a battle, the dragon breathed fire and the last thing that came of its mouth was this fruit. After the dragon was slain, the fruit was presented to the emperor as a coveted treasure and indication of victory.

In reality, dragon fruit is really a treasure for this fabulous fruit of the Cactaceae family has so many health benefits. It is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytoalbumins, and is believed to prevent cancer.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Posted on August 12th, 2008 under Fruits. Tags: Dragon Fruit. Comments: 4

Although Sorsogon is blessed with natural resources, rice, farmers there have always been daunted by huge postproduction losses caused by the erratic weather condition in Bicol. Since the region is hit by at least 12 typhoons every year drying has always been a problem for Sorsoguenos.

One of the organizations that have been helping Sorsoguenos reduce postharvest losses is the Sorsogon Integrated Development Cooperative Center (SIDECO). It was formerly known as the Sorsogon Interlending Development Cooperative. Then in January 1991, pursuant to the Cooperative Code of the Philippines, SIDECO was officially recognized as the Provincial Federation of Agricultural and Non-agricultural Cooperatives.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Posted on August 12th, 2008 under Rice. Tags: Rice. Comments: None