Top carrageenan firm sets P300-M fund to retire 1,000 workers
Manila Bulletin
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 5:09 PM PHT
CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines - The country's top carrageenan manufacturer and exporter, Shemberg Marketing Corporation, will be setting aside as much as P300 million as an early retirement fund for some 1,000 employees.
Shemberg President and Chief Executive Officer Benson U. Dakay said the early retirement program will commence once the company transfers one of its processing plants to Indonesia.
''Moving part of our operations to Indonesia means we will be retiring about 1,000 workers,'' Dakay told reporters in a recent interview, ''although they will be given the option to transfer to another department if they decide to say on with the company.''
He assured employees who opt for early retirement though that each of them will get a package that will allow them ''to start a small business of their own.''
Shemberg employs over 2,000 people currently.
The plan to move some of the company's operations to Indonesia will be implemented once it's 18-hectare property in Pakna-an, Basak, Mandaue City, which is the current site of Shemberg's plants and offices, is sold. On the property, apart from its seaweed processing plants, stand Shemberg's food and beverage division and other family-owned companies.
Part of Shemberg's total 25-hectare land asset, the 18-hectare property is being offered to buyers, preferably those engaged in business process outsourcing, said Dakay.
At present, he said they are now formalizing negotiations for the sale of the property which he expects to generate at least P5 billion and which Dakay said he hopes to complete within the year.
Showing posts with label Agriculture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Agriculture. Show all posts
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Governor Sahali Cites Importance of Seaweeds
MANILA BULLETIN
By NONOY E. LACSON
October 5, 2010, 6:24pm
BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali cited yesterday the importance of seaweeds in the marine ecosystem vis-à-vis with mangroves and coral reefs which can also be viewed in two perspectives – ecological value and economic uses.
Sahali said seaweed farming used to be an alternative livelihood during the early 80’s here but it is now emerging to be an important and major livelihood in the coastal areas in the province.
Eucheuma Cottonii, Kappaphycus alvarezii, and Eucheuma denticulatum are the major species cultivated in the province today, he said.
The governor said Kelp (brown seaweeds) is harvested and the algin – a gum used as a thickener – taken from the kelp is used to thicken food.
You can find kelp in ice cream and algin in some breads, beer, pudding, and even salad dressing, make-up, soap, toothpaste, and shampoo, facial masks and massage gels, he said.
Adding that some fertilizers also contain seaweed, and also in some soil conditioners and animal feeds.
Seaweed is also an ingredient in some medicines used to cure at least five major diseases – tuberculosis, arthritis, colds, influenza, and also worm infections.
Seaweed can also be found in the composition of some herbs and vitamins, Sahali said.
“Agar, a substance extracted from seaweed, is used in the culture of bacteria and other microorganisms. Petri plates that medical technicians use are lined with agar gels. Hospital laboratories also use agar plates to identify various types of infectious bacteria,” Sahali explained.
Agarose is another substance extracted from seaweeds and commonly used in the area of medicine, specifically in chromatography to purify proteins, DNA, and other substances, he added.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/280665/sahali-cites-importance-seaweeds
By NONOY E. LACSON
October 5, 2010, 6:24pm
BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali cited yesterday the importance of seaweeds in the marine ecosystem vis-à-vis with mangroves and coral reefs which can also be viewed in two perspectives – ecological value and economic uses.
Sahali said seaweed farming used to be an alternative livelihood during the early 80’s here but it is now emerging to be an important and major livelihood in the coastal areas in the province.
Eucheuma Cottonii, Kappaphycus alvarezii, and Eucheuma denticulatum are the major species cultivated in the province today, he said.
The governor said Kelp (brown seaweeds) is harvested and the algin – a gum used as a thickener – taken from the kelp is used to thicken food.
You can find kelp in ice cream and algin in some breads, beer, pudding, and even salad dressing, make-up, soap, toothpaste, and shampoo, facial masks and massage gels, he said.
Adding that some fertilizers also contain seaweed, and also in some soil conditioners and animal feeds.
Seaweed is also an ingredient in some medicines used to cure at least five major diseases – tuberculosis, arthritis, colds, influenza, and also worm infections.
Seaweed can also be found in the composition of some herbs and vitamins, Sahali said.
“Agar, a substance extracted from seaweed, is used in the culture of bacteria and other microorganisms. Petri plates that medical technicians use are lined with agar gels. Hospital laboratories also use agar plates to identify various types of infectious bacteria,” Sahali explained.
Agarose is another substance extracted from seaweeds and commonly used in the area of medicine, specifically in chromatography to purify proteins, DNA, and other substances, he added.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/280665/sahali-cites-importance-seaweeds
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sulu Seaweed Body Pushed
To oversee production and welfare of farmers
By NONOY E. LACSON
October 10, 2010, 2:12pm
JOLO, Sulu – Rep. Habib Tupay T. Loong (1st District, Sulu) has filed House Bill 2778, calling for the establishment of a Seaweed Development Authority (SDA) in Sulu to oversee the seaweed production and welfare of seaweed farmers in this part of the country.
Co-authored by Rep. Nur Anna Sahidulla (2nd District, Sulu), Loong said the bill to be known as the “Southern Philippines Seaweed Development Authority Act of 2010” is aimed at protecting the seaweed farmers and organizations in the provinces of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
He said the bill also seeks to enhance the income in the seaweed farming, by ensuring equitable access to assets, resources, and services, and promoting value-added processing.
The bill also seeks to provide social and economic adjustment measures aimed at increasing productivity and improve market efficiency while ensuring the protection and preservation of the environment and equity for small farmers and fisherfolk, Loong explained.
Likewise, the proposed measure will also extend the needed protection to small farmers from unfair competition such as monopolistic and oligopolistic practices, he said.
For her part, Sahidulla said the measure will also promote development that is compatible with the conservation of the ecosystem in areas where seaweed production activities are carried out.
Sahidulla said that judicious use of the country’s natural resources should also be exercised in order to attain long-term sustainability.
She said the bill also ensures that government will exempt seaweed farmers from payment of value added tax (VAT) for purposes of encouraging them to engage further in seaweed production.
Loong said that seaweeds farming today is one of the largest and most productive and promising form of livelihood to the people living in the coastal areas of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan provinces, including the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The Philippines is one of the top producers of seaweeds in the world, specifically the red seaweed – next to China and Japan, he said.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/281454/sulu-seaweed-body-pushed
By NONOY E. LACSON
October 10, 2010, 2:12pm
JOLO, Sulu – Rep. Habib Tupay T. Loong (1st District, Sulu) has filed House Bill 2778, calling for the establishment of a Seaweed Development Authority (SDA) in Sulu to oversee the seaweed production and welfare of seaweed farmers in this part of the country.
Co-authored by Rep. Nur Anna Sahidulla (2nd District, Sulu), Loong said the bill to be known as the “Southern Philippines Seaweed Development Authority Act of 2010” is aimed at protecting the seaweed farmers and organizations in the provinces of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
He said the bill also seeks to enhance the income in the seaweed farming, by ensuring equitable access to assets, resources, and services, and promoting value-added processing.
The bill also seeks to provide social and economic adjustment measures aimed at increasing productivity and improve market efficiency while ensuring the protection and preservation of the environment and equity for small farmers and fisherfolk, Loong explained.
Likewise, the proposed measure will also extend the needed protection to small farmers from unfair competition such as monopolistic and oligopolistic practices, he said.
For her part, Sahidulla said the measure will also promote development that is compatible with the conservation of the ecosystem in areas where seaweed production activities are carried out.
Sahidulla said that judicious use of the country’s natural resources should also be exercised in order to attain long-term sustainability.
She said the bill also ensures that government will exempt seaweed farmers from payment of value added tax (VAT) for purposes of encouraging them to engage further in seaweed production.
Loong said that seaweeds farming today is one of the largest and most productive and promising form of livelihood to the people living in the coastal areas of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan provinces, including the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The Philippines is one of the top producers of seaweeds in the world, specifically the red seaweed – next to China and Japan, he said.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/281454/sulu-seaweed-body-pushed
Friday, October 8, 2010
US-Iran row collateral damage: 64,000 jobs in RP fruit firms
By Dennis Santos, Judy Quiros
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 21:58:00 10/08/2010
Filed Under: Trade (general), Financially Distressed Companies
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Philippine banana industry is getting caught in the crossfire between Iran and the United States and could shed up to 64,000 jobs in the process, according to industry officials.
Stephen Antig, president of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), said Wednesday his group expects to lose up to P7.5 billion in export income as a result of Iran’s ban on products coming from countries allied with the United States.
The ban is seen as a retaliation for increased pressure from the United States on Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s row with the United States worsened when Washington stepped up efforts to stop the Muslim country from using nuclear energy.
Most banana companies here produce for such major US labels as Del Monte, Dole and Chiquita.
Antig said Iran remains to be the country’s biggest banana market in the Middle East and consumes about half of the 50 million boxes that the Philippines sends to the region each year.
“We are at a loss. This came so suddenly and we are not prepared,” he said.
Antig said his group already met with Philippine government trade officials to discuss what possible steps to take.
“They are already aware of the situation. They pledged to look for ways how to solve the problem,” he said.
Antig said the domino effect of the job losses would be tremendous.
“At estimated 64,000 workers, with an average of six dependents per family, the total number of people that would be affected would reach 384,000,” he said.
Antig said the situation could be disastrous especially because “Christmas is approaching.”
He said Iran has stopped importing bananas from the Philippines since last week and there was no indication it would resume buying Philippine bananas and other fruits any time soon.
A banana firm executive said his company sends 15 million boxes of bananas to Iran a year.
“There is a feeling of gloom among us,” he said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20101008-296680/US-Iran-row-collateral-damage-64000-jobs-in-RP-fruit-firms
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 21:58:00 10/08/2010
Filed Under: Trade (general), Financially Distressed Companies
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Philippine banana industry is getting caught in the crossfire between Iran and the United States and could shed up to 64,000 jobs in the process, according to industry officials.
Stephen Antig, president of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), said Wednesday his group expects to lose up to P7.5 billion in export income as a result of Iran’s ban on products coming from countries allied with the United States.
The ban is seen as a retaliation for increased pressure from the United States on Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s row with the United States worsened when Washington stepped up efforts to stop the Muslim country from using nuclear energy.
Most banana companies here produce for such major US labels as Del Monte, Dole and Chiquita.
Antig said Iran remains to be the country’s biggest banana market in the Middle East and consumes about half of the 50 million boxes that the Philippines sends to the region each year.
“We are at a loss. This came so suddenly and we are not prepared,” he said.
Antig said his group already met with Philippine government trade officials to discuss what possible steps to take.
“They are already aware of the situation. They pledged to look for ways how to solve the problem,” he said.
Antig said the domino effect of the job losses would be tremendous.
“At estimated 64,000 workers, with an average of six dependents per family, the total number of people that would be affected would reach 384,000,” he said.
Antig said the situation could be disastrous especially because “Christmas is approaching.”
He said Iran has stopped importing bananas from the Philippines since last week and there was no indication it would resume buying Philippine bananas and other fruits any time soon.
A banana firm executive said his company sends 15 million boxes of bananas to Iran a year.
“There is a feeling of gloom among us,” he said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20101008-296680/US-Iran-row-collateral-damage-64000-jobs-in-RP-fruit-firms
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Seaweed Estates Taking Shape In Sabah
BERNAMA NEWS
October 05, 2010 11:19 AM
By Elizabeth Majaham
KOTA KINABALU, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is trying out the mini estate concept to boost seaweed production that may help Malaysia emerge as one of the global seaweed producer.
The seaweed estates are now under trial in Semporna on the east coast of Sabah, the location seen most suitable as it is part of the Coral Triangle encompassing leading seaweed producers Indonesia and the Philippines.
According to Associate Professor Dr Suhaimi Md Yasir of UMS' School of Science and Technology phase one will stretch over 2,000 hectares that in terms of productivity should yield about one to five million metric tonnes of seaweed per year.
"We will try to achieve this figure, which has a value of about US$130 million (RM404.3m)", he says.
UMS is in the Malaysian Seaweed Development Industry Steering Committee chaired by the Fisheries Department.
GOOD POTENTIAL
"In Phase One we look at the database e.g. oceanography, water quality for that area and so on. Because when you have the database, it's easy for the investors to come in. They know the water quality, area, topography, weather pattern and so on.
"How you manage the nursery for the seedling collection is very important in maintaining growth rate and quality", stresses Dr Suhaimi.
Phase Two is from 2011 to 2015 (Tenth Malaysia Plan), covering not only Sabah but Sarawak and the Peninsula too. The seaweed planting trial has been conducted in Langkawi and Terengganu as well.
Dr Suhaimi says while Phase One is about capacity building among others, Phase Two will aim for national development, meaning seaweed becomes a commodity.
"It will no longer be small-scale but involves 50,000 to 100,000 hectares with a production target of about 200,000 to 300,000 metric tonnes per year.
"We want the private sector and government-linked companies (GLCs) to be involved. We also want to nurture small and medium scale entrepreneurs in this field. We work on the quality", he stressed.
Towards this end, UMS has already enlisted the collaboration of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).
Even now a local company started by Salleh Mohd Salleh in 2009, with a few foreign investors and Tawau-based Tacara Sdn Bhd, are already producing 500 metric tonnes per month and are exporting seaweed-based products.
WORLD SEAWEED OUTPUT
Indonesia is currently the leading producer of seaweed with an output of 150,000 metric tonnes in 2009 having overtaken the Philippines which could only manage 100,000 metric tonnes.
Presently, Malaysia is placed insignificantly under 'others' accounting for just five percent. World demand is expected to reach 400,000 metric tonnes by 2012.
Indonesia has indicated that it would ban raw seaweed export by that time. Hence Malaysia's necessity to increase productivity, in order to cater for export and domestic needs.
The Coral Triangle is capable of supplying 80 percent of the world demand with the 'kappaphycus' type of seaweed, known for its thickening and gelling properties, that can be found in abundance. It is a major source of carrageenan, a colloidal substance chiefly used as an emulsifying and stabilizing ingredient in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
UMS has already identified 11 species of the 'kappaphycus'.
To further develop the industry, the Coral triangle has signed an agreement with BIMP-EAGA.
In this regard, downstream processing is one ongoing activity, currently under Sirim's responsibility and led by UKM at its Seaweed Downstream Research Centre.
"With these products the target for the country is US$1.5 billion (RM4.7b) per year.
"Although we are small we are capable of meeting the target", Dr Suhaimi said optimistically.
THE MINI ESTATE CONCEPT FOR SEAWEED
Conventionally, seaweed cultivation entails 80 percent labour (working at the sea) and 20 percent technology.
"We want to turn it around now - the mini estate concept is eco-friendly, doing away with environmental issues associated with the tedious conventional method, labour effective, an easy strategy, with 80 percent of the work done on the complex and 20 percent under the sun.
Meanwhile, UMS Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rosnah Ismail who led a team including the writer to the islands to see the progress noted that the university first initiated a seaweed farming project in Pulau Banggi, Kudat in 1998.
"The objective then was R & D and to raise the income of poor households. The project was to encourage as many participants as possible", she recalls.
The result of the Banggi Project was a success, raising the income of some 20 households that seriously participated to between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per month.
"UMS is recognized as the lead agency for R & D in the BIMP-EAGA region", she says, adding that the university was supported with a grant of about RM3.5 million from the Department of Fisheries and LKIM for the Banggi project.
Read more at Bernama News
October 05, 2010 11:19 AM
By Elizabeth Majaham
KOTA KINABALU, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is trying out the mini estate concept to boost seaweed production that may help Malaysia emerge as one of the global seaweed producer.
The seaweed estates are now under trial in Semporna on the east coast of Sabah, the location seen most suitable as it is part of the Coral Triangle encompassing leading seaweed producers Indonesia and the Philippines.
According to Associate Professor Dr Suhaimi Md Yasir of UMS' School of Science and Technology phase one will stretch over 2,000 hectares that in terms of productivity should yield about one to five million metric tonnes of seaweed per year.
"We will try to achieve this figure, which has a value of about US$130 million (RM404.3m)", he says.
UMS is in the Malaysian Seaweed Development Industry Steering Committee chaired by the Fisheries Department.
GOOD POTENTIAL
"In Phase One we look at the database e.g. oceanography, water quality for that area and so on. Because when you have the database, it's easy for the investors to come in. They know the water quality, area, topography, weather pattern and so on.
"How you manage the nursery for the seedling collection is very important in maintaining growth rate and quality", stresses Dr Suhaimi.
Phase Two is from 2011 to 2015 (Tenth Malaysia Plan), covering not only Sabah but Sarawak and the Peninsula too. The seaweed planting trial has been conducted in Langkawi and Terengganu as well.
Dr Suhaimi says while Phase One is about capacity building among others, Phase Two will aim for national development, meaning seaweed becomes a commodity.
"It will no longer be small-scale but involves 50,000 to 100,000 hectares with a production target of about 200,000 to 300,000 metric tonnes per year.
"We want the private sector and government-linked companies (GLCs) to be involved. We also want to nurture small and medium scale entrepreneurs in this field. We work on the quality", he stressed.
Towards this end, UMS has already enlisted the collaboration of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).
Even now a local company started by Salleh Mohd Salleh in 2009, with a few foreign investors and Tawau-based Tacara Sdn Bhd, are already producing 500 metric tonnes per month and are exporting seaweed-based products.
WORLD SEAWEED OUTPUT
Indonesia is currently the leading producer of seaweed with an output of 150,000 metric tonnes in 2009 having overtaken the Philippines which could only manage 100,000 metric tonnes.
Presently, Malaysia is placed insignificantly under 'others' accounting for just five percent. World demand is expected to reach 400,000 metric tonnes by 2012.
Indonesia has indicated that it would ban raw seaweed export by that time. Hence Malaysia's necessity to increase productivity, in order to cater for export and domestic needs.
The Coral Triangle is capable of supplying 80 percent of the world demand with the 'kappaphycus' type of seaweed, known for its thickening and gelling properties, that can be found in abundance. It is a major source of carrageenan, a colloidal substance chiefly used as an emulsifying and stabilizing ingredient in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
UMS has already identified 11 species of the 'kappaphycus'.
To further develop the industry, the Coral triangle has signed an agreement with BIMP-EAGA.
In this regard, downstream processing is one ongoing activity, currently under Sirim's responsibility and led by UKM at its Seaweed Downstream Research Centre.
"With these products the target for the country is US$1.5 billion (RM4.7b) per year.
"Although we are small we are capable of meeting the target", Dr Suhaimi said optimistically.
THE MINI ESTATE CONCEPT FOR SEAWEED
Conventionally, seaweed cultivation entails 80 percent labour (working at the sea) and 20 percent technology.
"We want to turn it around now - the mini estate concept is eco-friendly, doing away with environmental issues associated with the tedious conventional method, labour effective, an easy strategy, with 80 percent of the work done on the complex and 20 percent under the sun.
Meanwhile, UMS Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rosnah Ismail who led a team including the writer to the islands to see the progress noted that the university first initiated a seaweed farming project in Pulau Banggi, Kudat in 1998.
"The objective then was R & D and to raise the income of poor households. The project was to encourage as many participants as possible", she recalls.
The result of the Banggi Project was a success, raising the income of some 20 households that seriously participated to between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per month.
"UMS is recognized as the lead agency for R & D in the BIMP-EAGA region", she says, adding that the university was supported with a grant of about RM3.5 million from the Department of Fisheries and LKIM for the Banggi project.
Read more at Bernama News
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sulu launches coffee processing center
Monday, September 20, 2010 11:29:40 AM
SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 20, 2010) - Sulu province has formally launched its coffee processing center and is expected to boost coffee production and eventually helped local cooperatives as part of a massive agricultural program that aims to provide additional livelihoods to farmers.
Governor Sakur Tan said Sulu is one of the major producers of high quality coffee beans - Arabica and Robusta – and is the most sought after not only in the Philippines, but other Asian and European countries as well because of its distinct aroma and flavor.
Tan said the Sulu Coffee Processing Center is a joint project of the Sulu provincial government and the Act for Peace Programme headed by its area manager Suharto Abbas.
The Act for Peace Programme under its industry-based component provided some P999, 300 for the purchase of machineries while the provincial government shouldered the construction of the building that houses the coffee processing center.
The main proponent of the project is the Task Force Kahawa Sug which literally means “Sulu coffee.”
Tan said at least 56 cooperatives will benefit from the project. “We are really working hard to come up with more projects like this coffee processing center and more cooperatives will also benefit from this,” he said.
The governor has urged farmers and fishermen to form themselves into cooperatives and avail of the many various projects of the provincial government. Tan said he would also built a school which would specialize in agriculture and fisheries and offer free education to all in Sulu. (With a report from Jung Francisco)
source:THE MINDANAO EXAMINER
SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 20, 2010) - Sulu province has formally launched its coffee processing center and is expected to boost coffee production and eventually helped local cooperatives as part of a massive agricultural program that aims to provide additional livelihoods to farmers.
Governor Sakur Tan said Sulu is one of the major producers of high quality coffee beans - Arabica and Robusta – and is the most sought after not only in the Philippines, but other Asian and European countries as well because of its distinct aroma and flavor.
Tan said the Sulu Coffee Processing Center is a joint project of the Sulu provincial government and the Act for Peace Programme headed by its area manager Suharto Abbas.
The Act for Peace Programme under its industry-based component provided some P999, 300 for the purchase of machineries while the provincial government shouldered the construction of the building that houses the coffee processing center.
The main proponent of the project is the Task Force Kahawa Sug which literally means “Sulu coffee.”
Tan said at least 56 cooperatives will benefit from the project. “We are really working hard to come up with more projects like this coffee processing center and more cooperatives will also benefit from this,” he said.
The governor has urged farmers and fishermen to form themselves into cooperatives and avail of the many various projects of the provincial government. Tan said he would also built a school which would specialize in agriculture and fisheries and offer free education to all in Sulu. (With a report from Jung Francisco)
source:THE MINDANAO EXAMINER
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Philippines: RP's first organic agriculture school to rise in Zamboanga
Construction work has begun on the country's first organic agriculture school in Zamboanga del Sur province.
Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga Jr. said the College of Sustainable Agriculture in Dumingag
town in Zamboanga del Sur province will help ease the poverty of farmers and help protect the environment.
“Dumingag is an agricultural municipality. The economy is being driven by agriculture," he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site.
He said organic agriculture is his centerpiece program, contrasting with the relatively "easy" farming based on chemicals.
Pacalioga said that despite initial ridicule, he and his wife Girlyn practiced organic farming on a half-hectare rice paddy. Now, he said their hard work and sacrifices are starting to pay off.
“Our people here have now realized that our land have been so degraded because of the years of practicing inorganic farming and using chemicals. They have realized the need to rehabilitate our farm lands so that future generations of farmers will still be able to produce food for our people," he said.
Dumingag is a third-class town in Zamboanga del Sur. Pacalioga said 90 percent of the 46,039 residents rely solely on farming for their livelihood.
Source: GMA News
Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga Jr. said the College of Sustainable Agriculture in Dumingag
town in Zamboanga del Sur province will help ease the poverty of farmers and help protect the environment.
“Dumingag is an agricultural municipality. The economy is being driven by agriculture," he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site.
He said organic agriculture is his centerpiece program, contrasting with the relatively "easy" farming based on chemicals.
Pacalioga said that despite initial ridicule, he and his wife Girlyn practiced organic farming on a half-hectare rice paddy. Now, he said their hard work and sacrifices are starting to pay off.
“Our people here have now realized that our land have been so degraded because of the years of practicing inorganic farming and using chemicals. They have realized the need to rehabilitate our farm lands so that future generations of farmers will still be able to produce food for our people," he said.
Dumingag is a third-class town in Zamboanga del Sur. Pacalioga said 90 percent of the 46,039 residents rely solely on farming for their livelihood.
Source: GMA News
Friday, September 3, 2010
Exotic fruits flood Sulu province
SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 3, 2010) – Exotic fruits are now flooding in the southern Philippine province of Sulu as peace and order continue to improve as locals prepare for the celebration of the Hari Raya festival.
Among the fruits that are bountiful now in Sulu are durian (Durio zibethinus), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and lanzones (Lansium domesticum) and farmers sell them at low prices that locals now are feasting on homemade jams.
Local officials attribute the bountiful harvests to the stable peace and security situation in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
“Peace and order is very good. The security situation is excellent and trade and commerce are alive. Farmers enjoy the bountiful harvests and we have tons and tons of fruits – durian, mangosteen, lanzones among others,” said Sulu Governor Sakur Tan.
He said farmers can freely harvest their fruits without fear of attacks from rebels or operations by government forces.
And because there are so much fruits in Sulu, a medium-sized durian now sells for as low as 10 pesos each while a kilo of mangosteen is peg at 5 pesos and lanzones at 3 pesos a kilo.
Traders in nearby Zamboanga City and Basilan province are hauling the fruits and resell them at higher prices. In Zamboanga, durian sells for as much as 100 pesos a piece. Some even send them to as far as Manila where eating durian is a luxury rather than a delicacy because of its expensive prices there.
Sulu durian is considered by many as the best in the Philippines because of its small seeds and sweet white and yellow flesh.
Locals are now preparing for the Islamic festival Eid’l Fitr. The festival, which falls next week, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Eid’l Fitr is one of the highlights of the Muslim cultural and religious calendar. It is celebrated at the end of the fasting month or Ramadan, when the new moon is sighted.
The Malay words ‘Hari Raya' translate as 'Day of Celebration' or the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast'. Muslims usually attend Eid prayers in mosque in the morning. The celebrations begin with the birth of the new moon of Syawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
The celebration will also coincide with the maiden flights of Philippine Air Lines to Sulu from Zamboanga City. Effective September 10, PAL flies between Zamboanga and Jolo three times a week on AirPhil Express-operated flights under our Code Share Agreement.
Sulu is located at the southernmost portion of the Philippines, lying between the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea, and is composed of over 150 islands and islets.
It boasts of a number of fine beaches, one of which is the famous Tubbataha Reef, a 33,200 hectare underwater splendor frequented by divers all over the world. It was honored by United Nations in 1993 as the first natural site in the Philippines to be inscribed in the prestigious World Heritage List. (Mindanao Examiner)
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20100903015505
Among the fruits that are bountiful now in Sulu are durian (Durio zibethinus), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and lanzones (Lansium domesticum) and farmers sell them at low prices that locals now are feasting on homemade jams.
Local officials attribute the bountiful harvests to the stable peace and security situation in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
“Peace and order is very good. The security situation is excellent and trade and commerce are alive. Farmers enjoy the bountiful harvests and we have tons and tons of fruits – durian, mangosteen, lanzones among others,” said Sulu Governor Sakur Tan.
He said farmers can freely harvest their fruits without fear of attacks from rebels or operations by government forces.
And because there are so much fruits in Sulu, a medium-sized durian now sells for as low as 10 pesos each while a kilo of mangosteen is peg at 5 pesos and lanzones at 3 pesos a kilo.
Traders in nearby Zamboanga City and Basilan province are hauling the fruits and resell them at higher prices. In Zamboanga, durian sells for as much as 100 pesos a piece. Some even send them to as far as Manila where eating durian is a luxury rather than a delicacy because of its expensive prices there.
Sulu durian is considered by many as the best in the Philippines because of its small seeds and sweet white and yellow flesh.
Locals are now preparing for the Islamic festival Eid’l Fitr. The festival, which falls next week, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Eid’l Fitr is one of the highlights of the Muslim cultural and religious calendar. It is celebrated at the end of the fasting month or Ramadan, when the new moon is sighted.
The Malay words ‘Hari Raya' translate as 'Day of Celebration' or the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast'. Muslims usually attend Eid prayers in mosque in the morning. The celebrations begin with the birth of the new moon of Syawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
The celebration will also coincide with the maiden flights of Philippine Air Lines to Sulu from Zamboanga City. Effective September 10, PAL flies between Zamboanga and Jolo three times a week on AirPhil Express-operated flights under our Code Share Agreement.
Sulu is located at the southernmost portion of the Philippines, lying between the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea, and is composed of over 150 islands and islets.
It boasts of a number of fine beaches, one of which is the famous Tubbataha Reef, a 33,200 hectare underwater splendor frequented by divers all over the world. It was honored by United Nations in 1993 as the first natural site in the Philippines to be inscribed in the prestigious World Heritage List. (Mindanao Examiner)
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20100903015505
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