Category: AGRICULTURE

Grain borers are becoming resistant to pesticides

A lesser kind of grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica Fabricius) is becoming resistant to phosphine- a type of fumigant or substance that is used to disinfect stored grains and protect them from pests.

Phisphine has been popularly used since the 1980 because it is easy to apply and does not leave any harmful residues in the grain.

The first signs of resistance were recorded in the early 70s but the resistance levels then wer low to pose a serious problem. Today, however, there are widespread reports of higher phosphine reisitance in some countries, which resulted to more researches in grain borers and phosphine resitance.

A survey in 1995 indicated that R. Dominica strains that are phosphine-resistant are present in the Philippines. The survey used the resistance method recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It involves exposing adult grain borers to phosphine dose of 0.08 mg/liter phospine for 20 hours at 25 degrees centigrade and 70 percent relative humidity.

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Hybrid rice: The future of rice farming in the Philippines

Teofilo, a rice farmer from San Miguel, Isabela has just computed his earning for one cropping season. The amount was more than what one can win in some popular game shows on TV, a staggering 1.2 million.

Indeed, Mang Teofilo had become a millionaire in just four to six months with the help of new hybrid rice Mestizo. Ordinarily, his 30 hectare land would earn him 0.6 million per cropping season but with Mestizo he earned double by harvesting at least 150 cavans per hectare that he sold at 400 per cavan.

Documented success stories of hybrid rice adoption abound in other parts of the country: Isabela, Kalinga, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental.

According to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Deputy Director Edilberto Redona hybrid rice can in fact give farmers an additional 1,272 kg of palay per hectare, or at least 25% increase in yield.

Given the amazing income generating potential of hybrid rice varieties , can it be the saving grace of rice farming in the country? Can filipino farmers have, at last, the competitive advantage they need to compete with other markets, or finally raise their standard and quality of living? What makes hybrid rice superior to inbred rice varieties?

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113 plant species in Ilocos in danger of becoming extinct

For every second that ticks at least five plant species are permanently wiped off the face of the earth becoming extinct forever. Scientist are alarmed at the rate that valuable genetic material is getting lost. In other parts of the country the number of plant species disappearing is not yet documented.

In the Philippines, a team of researchers from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) found that 113 plant species in Ilocos Norte are vanishing: 16 vegetables, 31 fruits and forest tree species, 43 ornamentals and medicinals, 7 rootcrops and 16 other plant species.

This was revealed in a study that documented the province’s vanishing plant species in an effort to save the region’s valuable genetic resources.

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Mga makinaryang gawang Pinoy, ilalabas na ng DOST

Magandang balita ang sasalubong sa mga lokal na mangangalakal lalo nasa sektor ng food processing dahil sa taong ito ay ilulunsad ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) ang mga kagamitan sa food processing na gawang Pinoy sa pamamagitan ng programang High Impact Technology Solutions (HITS).

Layunin ng programang HITS na mapalakas ang mga lokal na Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sa bansa na lumago at makipagsabayan sa mga global brand sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng mga lokal na kagamitan sa
food processing.

Sa nakaraang pagpupulong ay iprinisinta ng DOST ang pitong locally developed food processing equipment gaya ng: water retort – isang kagamitang panluto na mayroong kakayahang matagalan ang mataas na temperatura upang mapatay ang mga mikrobyo at mapahaba ang shelf-life ng mga produktong pagkain; freeze dryer – ay isang kagamitang naghihiwalay sa mga nilalamang tubig ng mga gulay at prutas habang pinapanatili
nito ang natural na kompusisyon ng mga ito; vacuum fryer – ay isang uri ng kagamitang pampirito na hindi nangangailangan ng mataas na temperatura; spray dryer – isang uri ng kagamitan na ginagawang pulbos ang
mga likido; vacuum packaging machine – ay mga kagamitan na ginagamit sa pagpakete ng mga produktong pagkain; immersion freezer – ay ang kagamitan na nagpapayelo sa mga produktong likido; at vacuum evaporator – na ginagamit upang palaputin ang mga likido.

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