Tag Archives: English

UPOU showcases organic agriculture in SyenSaya 2014

Posted on by
Reply

by Mary Edrielle Valiente

The University of the Phillippines Open University (UPOU) participates once more in the annual SyenSaya by showcasing different organic products in its booth themed “supporting sustainable agriculture and natural resources management through open and distance e-learning.”

Aside from promoting e-learning as one of the most prestigious online education platforms in the country, the UPOU also wants to promote sustainable and environment-friendly farming.

OJ Gomez, a student of organic agriculture in the UPOU, displayed his very own products from integrated diversified organic farming, which he learned from the university. The UPOU booth featured Gomez’ native chickens, pigs, organic feeds, and plants.

Syensaya 2014

Students man the UPOU booth themed “Supporting sustainable agriculture and natural resources management through open and distance e-learning.”

A chef by profession, Gomez said he wants to promote organic agriculture because of the health benefits. He also wants to develop a breed of native pigs that will be best for cooking lechon.

According to Gomez, he wants to promote organic farming for the sake of fair practice.

“Do you know what conventional farmers do? They mass produce plants grown with chemicals and sell it to the public. But they plant a small amount of vegetables organically, and that’s what they eat because they know it’s the healthier option. That’s not fair practice,” he said.

“With the traditional way of growing pigs, you depend on the income you earn to buy more and more feeds. But with organic farming, you can feed your pigs anytime because it requires you to plant the vegetables that your pigs will eat. These plants are self-sustaining,” he added.

Another good point of organic agriculture is that it does not destroy the environment unlike the chemicals that conventional farmers use. Gomez said that “organic farming enriches the soil because you use natural produce as fertilizers. Even the animal excretions become beneficial.”

He added that less than one percent of the farmers in the Philippines practice organic agriculture. That is why he is trying to promote it by continuing to participate in every science fair he can, SyenSaya being one of them.

When farms and machines fuse: AMDP exhibits innovations for agricultural mechanization

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Nu Wave Farmer: Timi James Manching

Posted on by
Reply

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.

 

The Mulching Matsing is a column dedicated to encouraging the community members, especially the youth, to engage in organic farming.

 

Los Baños to hold SyenSaya 2014 in September

Posted on by
Reply

by Delfin Laforteza, Public Information Officer, Municipality of Los Baños

The Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) steering committee decided to move SyenSaya 2014 from August 6-8 to September 10-12 after assessing the damage of typhoon Glenda last July 15. Moving SyenSaya to a later date will give more time for the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the host institution, to fully repair some facilities and clear the debris within the venue.

Wonderama, an interactive science learning exhibit, will be held at the Copeland Hall of UPLB during the three-day festival. This exhibit will be participated in by most of the members of LBSCFI. A techno forum on the hydrometeorological profile and disaster preparedness of Los Baños is scheduled on September 11 at the UPLB’s CEC (Continuing Education Center) auditorium.

Los Baños to have austere celebration of Bañamos Festival

Posted on by
Reply

by Deflin Laforteza, Public Information Officer, Municipality of Los Baños

Los Baños will celebrate a two-day Bañamos Festival with austere but meaningful activities on September 17 and 20. The Bañamos steering committee headed by Mayor Caesar P. Perez decided to have a very simple celebration due to moral and financial considerations brought about by typhoon Glenda. The celebration will start with a civic parade on the morning of September 17 followed by a program to commemorate the town’s 399th Foundation Day.  The Barangay Night will cap the first day of celebration. Meanwhile, an evening concert will be staged on September 20 which will be followed by a grand revelry.

[PRESS RELEASE] Stakeholders form Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve Advisory Council

Posted on by
Reply

by Delfin Laforteza, Public Information Officer, Municipality of Los Baños

In order to effectively manage, conserve and protect Mt. Makiling, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) spearheaded the organization of the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve Stakeholders Advisory Council (MMFR-SAC) through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The signing ceremony was held at the Nicolas Lansigan Auditorium at the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources on July 30. It was also highlighted by the unveiling of the 33rd ASEAN Heritage Park Marker.

Mayor Caesar P. Perez (center) signs the MOA together with Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz (left) of UPLB and Mayor Bruno T. Ramos (right) of Bay, Laguna.

The signatories to the agreement include UPLB; provinces of Laguna and Batangas; City of Calamba; municipalities of Los Baños, Bay, and Sto. Tomas; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Region 4A; Department of Tourism (DOT) – Region 4; DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau; Laguna Lake Development Authority; Laguna Water District; Calamba Water District; Philippine National Police – Region 4A; and Alab Makiling-Farmers Association.

Under this agreement, the 24 stakeholders acknowledge their responsibilities and will initiate more collective efforts to ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem services and protection of Mt. Makiling.

To assist the council in accomplishing their objectives, different committees were created, namely, biodiversity protection and law enforcement; ecotourism; water resources and sustainable use; communication, education and public awareness; resource generation; legal concerns; and research, development and monitoring.

A technical working group was also formed composed of the heads of the following offices: Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME); the Municipal/City Environment and Natural Resources Offices of Los Baños, Bay, Sto. Tomas and Calamba; DENR Region 4A; and DOT Region 4A.  MCME will serve as the secretariat while the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and GIZ of Germany will serve as advisers.

ASEAN dignitaries and officials present the certificate declaring the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve as an ASEAN Heritage Park to Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz of the University of the Philippines Los Baños as representative of all the stakeholders within the vicinity of the mountain.

The stakeholders council was created after a series of meetings initiated by MCME and ACB with the municipalities of Los Baños and Sto. Tomas following the declaration of Mt. Makiling as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP).

Mount Makiling’s nomination as an AHP was approved in 2013 during the 14th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment held on September 25 in Surabaya, Indonesia. The mountain became the 33rd ASEAN Heritage Park and the 5th for the Philippines which include Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, and Mt. Malindang Natural Park. It is the first for Luzon and the first managed by an academic institution. The approval of Mt. Makiling’s nomination as an ASEAN Heritage Park was due to its use as a natural laboratory for scientists, and a favorite destination for tourists with its peaks and hot springs as attractions.

Manuel Gerochi, Undersecretary for Planning and Policy of the Department of Environment and Natural   Resources (DENR), who represented Secretary Ramon Paje during the opening ceremonies of the 4th ASEAN Heritage Park Conference, announced the declaration. On October 3, 2013, the certification of declaration was presented by the officials of ACB to the officials of UPLB and the surrounding towns and park managers during a ceremony held in Mt. Makiling Botanical Gardens in Los Baños, Laguna. Also present were officials from DENR. In a statement by ACB Executive Director Roberto V. Oliva, he said that the AHPs are a network of national protected areas of high conservation importance that aims to create greater awareness and appreciation for ASEAN’s rich natural heritage.

The declaration of Mt. Makiling as an AHP and the formation of the MMFR-SAC are welcome developments. Although it is not a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Law but a forest reserve under the management of UPLB, this title together with the MMFR-SAC MOA will open opportunities for more local and international support.