This gallery contains 4 photos.
by: Demee Angelica S. Ludia Change has been imposed. Last February 16, 2015, new garbage collection days in Barangay Batong Malake Los Baños, Laguna were implemented, departing from the daily collection that residents have been accustomed to. Under this change, … Continue reading
This gallery contains 2 photos.
by: Reynelle A. Cariño Seeing each day as another chance for great opportunities, Benedicta always wakes up early in the morning, prepares her family’s breakfast, visits her ‘kalamyas’ stored in the kitchen with ‘saba’ bananas, waters her organic vegetables, and … Continue reading
This gallery contains 4 photos.
by: Johanna Marie F. Drece “Napakamura na nga ng benta mo tapos babaratin ka pa,” said the frustrated farmer, Mang Nestor. Just like any other small-scale farmer in Los Baños, Laguna, 65-year old Nestor Pamulaklakin of Brgy. Maahas wants to … Continue reading
This gallery contains 1 photo.
By: Remsce A. Pasahol “I am18 years old. I am a bisexual, and I have been sexually harassed.” This is how Jane (not her real name) started our conversation. She seemed to have the courage to speak, but truth is … Continue reading
by John Paul M. Omac
There is a common conception that agriculture banks purely on manual labor, and that machinery would be odd in such a setting. However, for an institute envisioning productive and sustainable agriculture, that notion should be challenged.
This is what the Agricultural Mechanization Development Program (AMDP) has continuously tried to do, as shown in their exhibit in the annual Los Banos Science Fair, SyenSaya, being held from September 10-12 at the Copeland Gymnasium, University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB).
As the research development and extension arm of the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, AMDP has already developed various technologies and machinery to help farmers improve their production and practices. Among these machines featured in their exhibit were the UPLB hand tractor, a simple hand tractor that can operate at lower power engines than those used by other tractors; the animal-drawn plow-mounted corn seeder, which aids farmers to plant their corn seeds mechanically with even spacing; and the UPLB two-drum corn sheller, which automatically separates corn kernels from its core and husk.
According to Mario C. Bueno, university extension specialist, AMDP is committed to serve the Philippine agri-fisheries sector through mechanization. “We envision the Philippines to be responsive to the challenges of food security, energy sustainability, and environmental protection,” he said.
In 2012, AMDP was institutionalized through Republic Act 10601 or the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law to lead and coordinate the agricultural and fishery mechanization RDE program of all academic institutions in the country. The law mandates AMDP to assist other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) with their research and extension programs.
“We also serve as a ‘clearing house’ of mechanization researches in other SUCs,” Bueno added.
Bueno also explained that they try to be as hands on as they can with their work, which includes community visits, mechanization needs assessments and analysis, and even trainings for the farmers and fishermen. Their beneficiaries have even extended to as far as Bohol and Mindanao.
Even young students who went to the fair showed appreciation for the program.
Albert Pena, a grade six student from Tadlac Elementary School, said that he is glad that there are efforts to help the farmers. “Dapat po kasing tulungan rin ang mga magsasaka dahil sila ang nagbibigay ng pagkain sa mga tao,” Pena said.
For their contribution to research and extension in agricultural mechanization, AMDP has been recognized as the Outstanding Research Program during the UPLB’s 104th foundation anniversary.
However, for people in the AMDP, the contribution they have done is more than the award itself. “It’s more like of a bonus,” Bueno said.
by Jabez Flores
Don’t let your degree define what you have to do in life. Defying all odds and going against conventional wisdom, traditional learning, and standard collegiate expectations; Timi James Manching “transplanted” his introverted computer science skills to the liberating fields of the organic farm – where the birds sing joyfully and the smell of sweet basil becomes one with the wind.
I met Timi in 2011 during the height of Cafe Antonio Sessions. At that time, we were both involved in this tight-knit community of indie musicians based in Los Banos. He was playing violin and singing back-up vocals for the band, Pathway.
A BS Computer Science student at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, 23-year-old Timi revealed to me his interest in organic agriculture while I was enrolled in the first offering of the Organic Agriculture course at the UP Open University. Prior to that conversation, I had no idea that he was interested in growing vegetables and living a sustainable and simple life.
At times we would sit in my porch, have lemongrass tea and talk about his dreams of becoming an urban gardener. In response, I would share my learnings from organic agriculture and permaculture. His eagerness to learn gave me hope for the younger generation. I could sense that he would be a good example to his peers in the campus.
“It’s about systems thinking. That’s what attracted me to farming, specifically permaculture design. Because that’s what we study in computer science, it’s all about systems,” Timi told me while we were making seedling flats out of used pallets and listening to music at Kainos Farm.
At present, Timi actively participates in farming chores with Tara Farms in Bay on Tuesdays; a couple of organic gardens in Los Baños on Wednesdays; and in Kainos Farm on Thursdays and Fridays. He also joined me last June for a Bamboo Training Workshop conducted by Cabiokid Foundation in Laur, Nueva Ecija together with our friends from Transition Community Initiative Philippines and Good Food Community. After that, our group of Nu Wave Farmers, also called The Mulching Matsing, was invited for the Luntiang Lunes segment of Oras na Pilipinas at 702 DZAS.
“Though I’m delayed [in college], at least I discovered during my long stay here what I really want to do with my life. When I graduate, I will work in the farm.”
Now that’s a dream worth pursuing!
#NuWaveFarmers
Jabez Flores is an organic farmer and permaculture designer for Kainos Farm in Calamba, Laguna. He maintains his own garden in Los Baños called Daang Kalabaw Community Garden. He finished BA Sociology at UP Los Baños in 2007; Certificate in Organic Agriculture at UPOU in 2012; Basic Permaculture Design at Cabiokid Foundation, Nueva Ecija in 2014; and is currently taking up his masters degree in Environment and Natural Resources Management specializing in Upland Resources Management at UPOU. He also teaches Personal Entrepreneurial Development at UPOU. To know more about what Jabez, visit his blog and The Mulching Matsing Facebook Page.
