News

‘Drying’ tech improves ‘Chiang Mai’ tea quality

12Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Isabela, News

‘Drying’ tech improves ‘Chiang Mai’ tea quality

The tray harnesses the sun’s energy, providing a renewable and eco-friendly heat source for drying Thai tea leaves. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO CORDON, Isabela (August 12, 2023)—The Multipurpose Solar-Powered Speed Drying Tray is a groundbreaking innovation that is transforming the way Thai tea or the "Chiang Mai" tea leaves are processed. Adopting the use of this technology is the Amancio Nicolas Agri-Tourism Academy (Amancio) in Cordon town in Isabela province which has become an institution of sustainable agricultural practices. According to the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), the Amancio has also now become a hub for aspiring farmers who desire to be horticulturists. The DoST calls this ingenious device "Portasol...

Black soldier fly helps convert waste into fertilizer

12Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

Black soldier fly helps convert waste into fertilizer

The Insiklo bioconversion facility rears black soldier fly larvae that transform organic waste into animal feed and compost for crop production. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO FOUNDED by Joseph Navasero, Insiklo is a startup venture that is turning market and household wastes into feed and fertilizer with the aid of the insect called black soldier fly (BSF). According to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca), about 500 kilograms of market waste from Los Baños municipality in Laguna province are sent every week to the Insiklo facility. Then the larvae of BSF devour food scrap, agricultural debris and manure, reducing the waste volume and odor into a nutrient-rich compost for use as organic fertilizer on crops. The ...

11Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

Digital tool empowers okra farmers

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO DAKOTA, a digital tool that can bolster sustainable production of food export commodities in Indonesia, is a demonstration of the power of agricultural technology, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) said. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said Dakota is a digital platform that will soon reach the okra farmers of Grobogan in Central Java, Indonesia. He said the tool helps farmers achieve international market standards and fair prices through transparent records of the quality control and agricultural practices applied to their commodities. "Searca Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (Grains) supports digital innovations that reward sustainable practices, making a difference in ...

11Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

Digital tool empowers okra farmers

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO DAKOTA, a digital tool that can bolster sustainable production of food export commodities in Indonesia, is a demonstration of the power of agricultural technology, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) said. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said Dakota is a digital platform that will soon reach the okra farmers of Grobogan in Central Java, Indonesia. He said the tool helps farmers achieve international market standards and fair prices through transparent records of the quality control and agricultural practices applied to their commodities. "Searca Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (Grains) supports digital innovations that reward sustainable practices, making a difference in ...

CEZA, Now Group to lead PH digitalization

11Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, News

CEZA, Now Group to lead PH digitalization

SANTA ANA, Cagayan (August 11, 2023)—The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Now Group to expand the connectivity and information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure at the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP). Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile said the MoU intends to formally establish an understanding between the two parties to design and develop a world-class Communications Critical Infrastructure that also provides unified connectivity, software systems and services in the CSEZFP. On Aug. 3, 2023, the MoU was signed by CEZA, through Enrile, and Now Group, through its chairman, Mel Velarde. Witnessing the signing were CEZA Deputy Administrator for Operations lawyer Marichelle de Guzman and Now Co...

FCF Minerals conducts training on safety protocols, procedures

10Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

FCF Minerals conducts training on safety protocols, procedures

In line with the mandate of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Occupational Safety and Health Department of FCF Minerals Corporation in Quezon town, Nueva Vizcaya is conducting a mandatory eight-hour Safety and Health Training Program for the employees of the company. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (August 10, 2023)—FCF Minerals Corporation through its Occupational Safety and Health Department has conducted a refresher training for its employees to become knowledgeable of safety protocols and procedures. According to Lorne Harvey, FCF Minerals Corp. general manager for operation, the training is in line with the mandate of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which is a mandatory eight-hour safety and health training program for th...

Sen. Villar leads corn hub groundbreaking

9Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Isabela, News

Sen. Villar leads corn hub groundbreaking

I-CORN COMPLEX Sen. Mark Villar (second from right) leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed I-Corn Complex on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, at Barangay Marana 1st, City of Ilagan, Isabela. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO CITY OF ILAGAN (August 9, 2023)—A one-stop shop agriculture commercial center for corn farmers called I-Corn Complex will be built here soon. The P107 million allotted for the project will come from the budget of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 2. The I-Corn Complex, considered the first of its kind in the country, will house the processing and post-harvest facilities for feeds and food to ensure the quality of corn-based products. On Monday, August 7, Sen. Mark Villar, who heads the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Ent...

Sen. Zubiri pushes rice production zones

8Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

Sen. Zubiri pushes rice production zones

SENATE PRESIDENT MIGUEL ZUBIRI MANILA (August 8, 2023)—Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is pushing for the establishment of rice production zones (RPZs) with intensified government support. He said the country should start weaning its dependence away from imported rice and reduce the risk of food insecurity. He said the two recent typhoons badly hit Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley) and 3 (Central Luzon), which roughly account for 40 percent of rice input and 80 percent of corn production. Thus, there is a need to establish "rice production zones and inundating it with government support and attention." The senate president said he made this proposal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the dinner hosted by the Chief Executive for members of the Philippine Senate in A...

Enrile: CEZA aims to penetrate digital market

8Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, News

Enrile: CEZA aims to penetrate digital market

Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile, CEZA administrator and chief executive officer. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO SANTA ANA, Cagayan (August 8, 2023)—With its strategic geographical position, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) is being groomed as an ideal option for the gaming investment and digital markets. CEZA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Katrina Ponce Enrile said investors and locators may also consider the modern infrastructure and support facilities on top of a clear set of policies and systems that make CEZA a haven for operators and players. She said the geographical location of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Free Port (CSEZFP) puts it in a favorable position to conveniently penetrate the gaming and digital markets of the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. ...

7Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, News

DA Region 2 smarting from P1.7-B ‘Egay’ damage

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (August 7, 2023)—The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 2 (DA-RFO2) will be "strategizing and pooling efforts" to rehabilitate areas damaged by Typhoon "Egay" in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley). In a convergence meeting on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, DA-RFO2 Executive Director and Officer in Charge Rose Mary Aquino said there is a need for a methodical strategy through the Masagana Industry Rice Development Program in the rehabilitation of damages, especially to rice. The meeting was attended by officials from the National Food Authority (NFA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and provincial agriculturists of the different provincial governments of Cagayan Valley. It was convened to act on the rehabilitation of rice areas damaged by "Egay," st...