Happy Leap Day! Yes, We Can & Must Cultivate Kindness – Frank A Hilario

29 February 2020. “Leap Of Kindness Day,” says the above message from Rockport Fulton[1]. Me, yes I’m doing something kind for my country the Philippines starting today. I’m making a Leap of Faith and starting a digital popular magazine. 

This is not my first time to start and edit a publication – I founded and edited the 3 publications of the Forest Research Institute 1975-1981: monthly newsletter Canopy, quarterly technical journal Sylvatrop, and quarterly popular color magazine Habitat. During The Age Of Dinosaurs (Typewriters).

Already, I am an old hand with digital works. I began self-learning digital writing, editing and desktop publishing on Innocents Day, 1985. In 2007, as Editor In Chief I made world-class or ISI the 25-year old Philippine Journal of Crop Science owned by the Crop Science Society of the Philippines based at UP Los Baños.

I have desktop-published many books; the one I love best is the coffee-table book of ACPC: The Filipino Farmer Is Bankable, 150 pages. I wrote the text; 50% of the photographs are mine.

Today, the magazine I’m thinking of, Ammom, Philippines, is dedicated to the Inclusive & Sustainable Development of my country, via Agriculture, following the precepts of Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie in his “New Thinking for Agriculture” with its embedded “The Eight Paradigms” from which we are to derive our initiatives in programs and projects for the good of the Filipino people, especially the poor farmers and fishers.

“Inclusive Development” means the poor farmers and fishers are recipients of the values along the value chain, minus usurers and merchants. “Sustainable Development” means that the results of technologies and systems employed by society show technical feasibility, economical viability, environmental soundness, and social acceptability[2].

Why a magazine? Here is a list:

1. Opportunity for thousands more readers.

2. We can publish original, thought-provoking ideas.

3. Readers can go back to an article and be convinced.

4. Cultural values can be explored more.

5. Continuity.

6. Art is best appreciated, because you can easily go back to the paper or page.

7. For cultivating habits, including checking facts.

8. For promoting campaigns of any kind.

9. For celebrations, including the scientific and intellectual.

10. For interviews – and therefore cultivating loyal readers.

11. For nurturing cultural values.

12. Magazines “provide the reader with in-depth and concise information, in a portable and readable form” – Donna Halper, Professor of political communication, media historian, author, former reporter[3].

And Susanna Schrobsdorff, an executive editor for TIME, mentions the “symbolic role of the magazine’s cover[4],” the Person of the Year, in Influence. Copying, I will have in Ammom Pilipinas my own Citizen Of The Year, COTY, in Kindness. I got the idea from the Facebook sharing of my son Jomar just as I finalize this; his source is blogger Ursula, who says, “Kind people are the smartest of all.[5]” She says Richard Davidson “explains that kindness requires an ability to think not just of yourself, but of others as well.” That’s smart!@517

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[1] http://members.rockport-fulton.org/events/details/leap-of-kindness-day-46957

[2] http://www.fao.org/3/ai388e/AI388E05.htm

[3] https://www.quora.com/Why-is-a-magazine-very-important

[4] https://www.gwhatchet.com/2019/10/23/time-magazine-executive-editor-talks-publications-role-in-politics-culture/

[5] https://www.creativehealthyfamily.com/goodness-takes-intelligence-why-kind-people-are-the-smartest-of-all/

William Dar Inspires The New PH Agriculture Symbol – The New Madonna & Child!

Saw this one today, 27 February 2020, on Facebook: “Nurturing Ani At Kita” it says on the bulletin board. This is derived from the Department of Agriculture, DA’s slogan “Masaganang Ani At Mataas Na Kita” (Bountiful Harvests And Bounteous Income, my translation). Here are early 2 Facebook comments:

Robert Domoguen: “Nurturing… and sustainable development. Great theme, Sir.

Ravindra Joshi: “The focus is crystal clear and targets bulls-eyed. Philippine Agriculture is now starting to make great (strides) under Secretary Dr William Dar’s leadership. Key is everyone needs to be fully (engaged) and be passionate. Congratulations to the DA Team.”

With/out meaning to, Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie has proclaimed a new symbol for the emergence of a vibrant PH Agriculture under his headship at the Department of Agriculture, DA: “Nurturing Ani At Kita” – literally, Nurturing Yield & Income. This comes from the slogan for Manong Willie’s ““New Thinking for Agriculture” in which are embedded “The Eight Paradigms” that require (1) modernization, (2) industrialization, (3) exports, (4) farm consolidation, (5) infrastructure, (6) budgets & investments, (7) legislative support, and (8) roadmap development.

Yes Sir! Personally, for the new PH Agriculture, I look at the feminine figures above as, together, making a new, modern Maternal & Caring Mother & Child,MC² , indeed signifying abundant harvest & abundant life, with love of family nurturing farm nurturing plenty.

Dios ti agngina, Manong Willie, for inspiring your country! God will repay much!

Above the image, the Facebook note says: “Nurturing Ani at Kita for Inclusive and Sustainable Development: The key message at the DA Mancom Meeting in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte!” I see Gross Domestic Prosperity, GDP², inclusive of the poor farmers, inclusive of the environment, sustainable for all.

I Ilocano can see the Management Committee meeting in Laoag City is symbolic: Manong Willie is Ilocano. The mother and child figures do not necessarily have Ilocano features, but I can see the Ilocano-ness in the determination in their eyes! The Ilocanos are known for their frugality, flexibility, and grit even or especially in adverse environments. And what adverse environments does PH Agriculture have right now?!

Why are Ani and Kita shown as females? Because the Filipinos have a matriarchal society! I say:

In these islands and nowhere else in the world, the females are more equal than the males! And we Filipino males bow to that.

Also note that Ani and Kita are relatively young ones – just like our national hero Jose Rizal had in mind when he wrote a poem when he was 18 and a student at the University of Santo Tomas; the last line of the first stanza of his “A La Juventud Filipina” (To The Youth Of The Philippines, my translation) goes: “bella esperanza de la patria mía!” (beautiful hope of the fatherland, my translation). Mario Guariña calls the whole poem “The Poetry Of Patriotism[1].” Now I say “Nurturing Ani at Kita” is the world’s shortest poetry of agricultural development.

Now I see in PH Agriculture The Beautiful Hope of the Fatherland!@517

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[1] https://opinion.inquirer.net/75728/jose-rizal-the-poetry-of-patriotism

Agriculture Today Is The Biggest Media Challenge – How Can Journalists Cultivate Fertile Minds?

I see the new PH Agriculture under the leadership of Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie as the biggest challenge to Philippine journalism – many-layered, complicated. Simplifying: If farming is growing food, journalism is growing ideas in a fertile mind!

I thank God I’m running 80. Now, how could I have been blogging about PH Agriculture every single day since the middle of last year when I am essentially a work-at-homer? “There is no unfertile soil with a fertile mind.”

How do I cultivate my mind to stay fertile?
Easy – I read. And read. And read.
So I can be Good, Better, Best!

(Above, superimposed image of some books to read/review in my bedroom-workroom.)

In this digital age, as a journalist you must always collect enough background materials; save your files, then read them. Read, not memorize. (In Microsoft Word, turn on Track Changes – click Review, Track Changes – and write down your thoughts as you read. You go back to them when you begin to write your article.)

Guaranteed: Just reading will make that unfertile mind of yours a very fertile soil.

Actually, Salvador Cariaga of Philippine Organic Farms, the one who is sharing (on Facebook, above) about unfertile soils and fertile minds, is speaking about producing food and fighting poverty[1]. (Main image from same source)

Mr Cariaga’s group is into urban agriculture. They are into growing food and managing garbage at the same time – 2 noble ideas, enriching: garbage becomes organic fertilizer; environment becomes sound; our bodies become healthy.

There’s more. There is a MUD Farm in Cebu – Mactan Urban Demo Farm[2]:

It's a school without walls and classroom without ceiling. Sky is the limit. With God nothing is impossible. ¶ Even if you live in (a) concrete jungle, you can still grow your own food. You won't need a lot of space. Our MUD Farm is just 300 square meters, but it has pig farm, goat farm, chicken farm, fish farm, worm farm, and all the vegetables that a family can eat.

Urban. Unbelievable? You have to believe.

Now, what about our poor farmers in the rural areas? Unfortunately, MUD Farm ignores them:

We believe that we do not have to be poor. Our children don't have to be hungry. We live in a rich country. We can bloom where we are born and grow where we are planted. There is no unfertile soil with a fertile mind. There is no barren land, only (a) bare mind. MUD Farm is designed to inspire those who live in urban areas to grow their own food, the organic way.

Yes, Mr Cariaga misses his own point – “There is no unfertile soil with a fertile mind.” Unlike him, I will now also and equally urge those who live in rural areas to grow their own food the organic way.

And journalists? Your mind is barren only if you do not grow ideas in it. And the best thing to do to grow ideas is? Read, read, read. To be Good, Better, Best!@517

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[1] https://www.facebook.com/groups/philippineorganicfarms/about/

[2] https://www.facebook.com/UrbanDemofarn/posts/1009174225771459

In Onions, There’s Strength, In P Millions! – How To Make That Ideal Real? Do The IMOD

IMOD. William Dar/Manong Willie as head of the Department of Agriculture, DA, avidly leads his “New Thinking for Agriculture” where an embedded ideal is Inclusive Market-Oriented Development, IMOD. If you want farmers to rise from poverty and stay up there, you must do the IMOD. 

IMOD as the ideal for local & national growth was developed at ICRISAT, based in India, when Manong Willie was Director General, from January 2000 to December 2014, 15 years – IMOD as ideal became real. So, if you want your farmers to be blessed with “Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita” (Bounteous Harvest, Bountiful Income, my translation), the current mantra of the DA, you must do the IMOD. With IMOD, the development is real – distributed to everyone, especially the poor farmers.

IMOD as ideal: “Find the ideal in something not ideal” – Robert Denning[1]. As a farmer, is it ideal to think rich? You have to think rich; you also have think real.

Now, let’s consider Eva Visperas’ 09 January 2020 article – “If You Want To Get Rich, Plant Onions[2]” with her teaser:

Onion farmers in Bayambang, Pangasinan are now “millionaires” because of the price spike, as red onions, with a farmgate price of P120 a kilo, are sold in the market at P200, Artemio Buezon, Municipal Agriculturist (says) this has been going on for a month and is expected to extend up to next month.

“If you want to get rich, plant onions” – you know, that reflects the DA’s slogan Bounteous Harvest, Bountiful Income.

Ms Eva’s title style and run of story is not unique; it is old journalism. It is unique only in that Ms Eva promises:

“If you want to get rich, plant onions.”

She is promising millions. No Ma’am, it’s not that simple. Some PH journalists, male and female, make it that simple. In Manong Willie’s Bounteous Harvest, Bountiful Income – there is a caveat: You must make sure IMOD is working for the farmers. Not permanently displayed, but the caveat is there; to bring out the ideal, you must deal with the real.

In Bayambang, Pangasinan, where Ms Eva reports from, there are 1,000 onion farmers! In other words, when some farmers saw that other farmers were getting rich planting onions, they became onion farmers too. Because they were only looking at the rich harvests and richer incomes.

When you multiply the growers by the hundreds, what happens to the supply – and the price?

You know what? “If you want to get rich, plant onions” is also working in favor of the merchants!

The merchants are the ones dictating the price and, sooner or later, the individualism of the growing-rich farmers will work against them.

I remember Manong Willie recommending that farmers work with cooperatives to safeguard their concerns, most especially fair prices and sustainable incomes.

If you want your village to get rich, it must follow IMOD via your cooperative(s).

There is no report of any cooperative working for the Bayambang onion farmers – this is dangerous to their health!@517

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[1] http://www.picturequotes.com/find-the-ideal-in-something-not-ideal-quote-152083

[2]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/01/09/1983356/if-you-want-get-rich-plant-onions

Rx For PH Agriculture – Go Native, Go Nature! Go Na!

For PH Agriculture, nobody is asking for my advice, so I’m giving it!

Go Native, Go Nature – Go Na!
And:
Yes to Export – No to Import!

Here are 2 major losses in PH Agriculture today – mango to “kurikong” and pig to African Swine Fever, ASF.

Mango: I can’t find data for export losses, but it has been reported that “kurikong” can cause 70 to 100% loss in yield[1] – that translates to your loss in export. Here is indirect data: Gabriel Cardinoza reports in Inquirer.net (17 March 2018) that Lito Arenas, former President of the Federation of Mango Growers & Handlers Association of Pangasinan, and others visited Guangzhou City in China and “were surprised there were no Philippine mangoes being sold there.” That translates to zero export.

Pig: “There are opportunity losses for the hog industry estimated at about P1 billion ($19.5 million) a month,” Noel Reyes, spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, DA, is quoted as saying[2]. Huge!

For swine, go native!

In March 2016, the book I edited was published by the National Swine & Poultry Research & Development Center, NSPRDC, of the Bureau of Animal Industry, which is under the DA. It’s all Philippine Native Animals. The NSPRDC is specializing on native breeds of cattle, chicken, duck, goat, horse, and pig. Center Chief Rene Santiago says with native stocks, animal raisers can produce quantity and quality meats that are “good for both producers and consumers” (Prologue, page 18).

Today, in PH swine industry, even the disease of pigs is imported: African Swine Fever. So: The solution is indigenous – grow any of those native lines of pigs originating from Abra, Benguet, Kalinga (above image), Marinduque, Mt Province, and Quezon. UPLB Emeritus Professor Angel Lambio says they are “resilient to stresses and resistant to pests and diseases” (Foreword, page 24). Also, the meats of natives are healthful and have distinctive desirable tastes. Excellent for export. Stop importing swine breeds: Go export, Go Native!

For mango, Go Nature!

For mango, I said in a previous essay[3] that we have first to resolve the “kurikong” menace by preventing the infestation of cecid flies. We must look for the system whereby mangoes are grown with at least one other crop, which must be native, so that the balance of harmful and beneficial organisms is maintained.

On the mango image above (from Pinoy Negosyo[4]), I superimposed the question, “What’s missing here?” The orchard is all mangoes. Monoculture. Do you know who loves monocultures, other than farmers or gardeners? Insects! They have so much food that they naturally multiply – into an infestation.

So, the problem with the infestation by cecid flies or the “kurikong” headache is man-made. Minimum predators, maximum pests. You get what you deserve!

The solution is either multiple cropping, or intercropping, or trap cropping. Grow other fruits or vegetables. Mother Nature will then balance the populations of predators and pests for you. My middle name is Awareness; this is a free lesson not from Frank A Hilario but from Science.@517

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[1] https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/02/22/infestation-threatens-phs-mango-production/

[2] https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/10/26/1963442/philippine-hog-industry-losing-20-million-monthly-asf

[3] https://ithewizardofos.blogspot.com/2020/02/to-resolve-ph-mango-kurikong-menace.html

[4] https://www.pinoynegosyo.net/business/mango-fruit-tree-business-735.html

To Resolve PH Mango “Kurikong” Menace, First Resolve Chemical Pesticide Problem!

Sometimes, we do notknow how to take good care of the one we love, whether family, or friend – or fruit! One reported problematic fruit is mango, Mangifera indica; one reported problematic province is Pangasinan, where I was born, and whose mango I believe is the sweetest in the Philippines. The unripe fruits are being infested on the trees by the cecid fly, which looks like a mosquito, and which causes those galls or swelling tissues on the skin, those black splotches on the green. (Main image from ABS-CBN News[1])

In Quezon City, concerned with the gall problem, locally called kurikong, during the First Luzon Mango Congress held 20 February 2020 at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, according to the press release “DA To Help Mango Farmers Solve ‘Kurikong,’ Increase Production And Exports” from the Department of Agriculture, DA, Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie said:

Together, let us harness the power of science and technology to pro-actively get rid of “kurikong” and other major concerns confronting our mango industry,

“Kurikong” refers to those black sores from skin down to flesh: ugly sound, ugly sight, ugly taste.

The press release also said:

He urged the mango industry stakeholders and concerned DA agencies to enhance the protocol on the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) on mango production, making use of the latest agronomy and integrated pest management practices.

Yes Sir, the GAP protocols need to be revised. For instance, the Mango GAP prescribes integrated pest management but not intercropping to balance the populations of predators and preys. I saw in several manuals the same prescribed protocol: spraying pesticide. Still, the “kurikong” problem persists!

How old is this problem? Leonardo Micua says, “No Antidote (sic) For Cecid Flies” (04 March 2018, Sunday Punch), that Pangasinan Provincial Agriculture Officer Dalisay Moya said “kurikong” had “rampaged through mango plantations in the province for the past five years and nothing could stop it.” In fact, it has been nationwide since 2010[2]; chemical control has failed, but the protocol still calls for chemical control!

Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
Frank Hilario: I came, I saw, I did not concur.

As the “kurikong” problem has lingered for 20 years, United Luzon Mango Stakeholders Association President Ricardo Tolentino says many mango growers have shifted to other crops. To revive the dying industry, Mr Tolentino challenged the Mango Congress “to unite with concerned DA agencies in the fight against 'kurikong' and save the country’s mango industry.”

On his part, Manong Willie directed DA Undersecretary for High-Value Crops and Rural Credit Evelyn Laviña “to work with the Bureau of Agricultural Research… in applying the results of research and development initiatives to immediately address the 'kurikong' (menace).” He emphasized the urgency of the situation, instructing Ms Evelyn:

Finalize the ideas immediately and start the projects in two weeks.

"Together,” Manong Willie said, “Let us save the Philippine mango industry, and maintain our distinction of producing the 'sweetest mango' in the world."

That is all sweet music to my ears!@517

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[1] https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/03/23/19/mga-manggahan-sa-pangasinan-napeste-ng-kurikong

[2] http://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/home/portal/index.php/quick-information-dispatch/2232-pcaarrd-leads-fight-against-kurikong-infestation

How Can PH Swine Industry Be Saved? Look Beyond ASF And You Will See!

Note the crosses behind the exotic pig: Death to the swine industry!?

I am looking at what Jasper Y Arcalas of Business Mirror sees: “PHL Winning Battle Vs Swine Fever But May Lose The War[1]” (20 February 2020). He means we may defeat the ASF, simultaneously bring down with it the swine industry. (Main image above accompanies his article) I will now look at the situation as the Wizard of Os.

This:
Applying my 5 Os, using Mr Arcalas’ eyes, I see:

Mr Arcalas’ Obstacles – ASF spreading, killing thousands of pigs. Swine raisers and pork dealers taking advantage of a bad situation for their own good. Everywhere.

Mr Arcalas’ Opportunities – Save the uninfected; contain the spread of ASF.

Mr Arcalas’ Options – Business as usual if successful; goodbye swine industry if unsuccessful.

Mr Arcalas’ Outputs – Healthy pigs or uninfected saved. Some money collected from government for all pigs depopulated.

Mr Arcalas’ Outcomes – If national campaign against ASF is successful: Swine industry back on its feet, if wobbly. If unsuccessful: PH swine industry decimated!

I agree with Mr Arcallas’ specific Contentions – but not his Conclusion(that last sentence). I explain below.

Now this:
I will now point out what Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie has been thinking, and doing.

Mr Dar’s Obstacles: Inadvertently, Mr Arcalas is looking at the whole livestock industry as only the swine industry. And looking at the whole swine industry as only exotic pig swine industry. The ASF crisis is limiting Mr Arcalas view of the swine industry – he must look at the whole livestock industry, as Manong Willie does.

Mr Dar’s Opportunities: Strengthen the livestock industry by strengthening the swine part of it. Exotic pig breeds susceptible to the ASF? Change to PH native breeds resistant to diseases.

Mr Dar’s Options: To the native pigs being raised, add any combination of any number of other natives: carabaos, cattle, chickens, ducks, and goats. Manong Willie first mentioned raising rabbits as substitute for raising swine. Then he mentioned goats (superimposed image), and my Facebook sharing was this:

Excellent idea, Sir!
Naimas ti kalding!
(Goat has good taste!)

I just love biting into the half-roasted goat’s skin, aside from enjoying the scene of the goat being held by 2 pairs of hands over burning firewood to get rid of the hair as well as cook the skin.

And yes: There is the concept of Inclusive Market-Oriented Development, IMOD, which Manong Willie came up with when he was Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, ICRISAT (2000 to 2014). Ultimately, IMOD requires that farmers are assisted in marketing their produce such as by cooperatives so they will enjoy the fruits of their labor throughout the length of the value chain – no usurers, no merchants included. Thanks ICRISAT for IMOD!

Mr Dar’s Outputs: With IMOD, a vibrant PH livestock industry. Richer raisers, happier consumers of native meats and other farm animal produce even the foreigners love!

Mr Dar’s Outcomes: Prosperous villages.

Tell me who doesn’t want those?!@517

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[1] https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/20/phl-winning-battle-vs-swine-fever-but-may-lose-the-war/?fbclid=IwAR3DmasvS0de-zl0WPFbJLKi75-59nzwnZ9WGHAjLW60T0O5Qr6ExDaOKag

Redesigning PH Agriculture – Science-Wise, Ilocano-Wiser!

You are looking at The Bridge to Prosperityfound in Asingan, Pangasinan – Ilocano-wise. 

How do you like it: That your Secretary of Agriculture, William Dar/Manong Willie, is an agriculturist and Ilocano? That your science writer, Frank A Hilario, is an agriculturist and Ilocano? That the Ilocanos are known to be industrious and frugal? I love it! Except:

We Ilocanos are not frugal in farming. We Ilocanos have to be taught what we already know!

To do that, for my hometown of Asingan, Pangasinan, I have been thinking of an agri-tourism program with our Nagkaisa Multipurpose Cooperative’s 4.2 hectares of land down the Sinapog Bridge (beautiful scene above). Under the bridge, Nagkaisa has authority over those hectares. The other day, I discussed with Nagkaisa Chair Roger Daranciang my proposal for a “Farmer-Friendly Agriculture, Ilocano-Wise” techno-demo program involving Asingan’s 21 barangays.

When you find the formula for prosperity, please multiply it!

Note the name of the program: “Farmer-Friendly Agriculture” – if your agriculture is not a farmer’s friend, it is a farmer’s fiend.

Note that in the image above, at the right of The Bridge to Prosperity, you can see this enumeration:

Scientific
Productive
Economical
Healthy
Biological
Acceptable
Enriching.

Those 7 adjectives I derive from my decades of in-field and off-field professional learning of agriculture, including the System of Rice Intensification, SRI, originated by Fr Henri de Laulanie, SJ, who was assigned in Madagascar and described as a “visionary realist[1].”

Yes, our new PH Agriculture must be visionary and realistic!

Visionary: You dream of a coming common prosperity for all who pass by the bridge of life.

Realistic: Your feet are planted firmly on the ground, as well as on the bridge. Such prosperity will be brought about by following the precepts of the 7 virtues of FFA.

Scientific means that its claims are accurate. For instance, square planting with single seedlings at the corners gives maximum space for each seedling to grow its maximum number of tillers.

Productive means since it grows the maximum number of tillers, each hill produces maximum yield.

Economical means the farmer spends the least amount of money in seeds, cultivation, weed control, pest control, irrigation, harvesting, drying and selling his palay.

Healthy means the rice grains produced are free of residues of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.

Ecological means FFA is engaged in a mixture of crop species to insure a natural balance of insects and other organisms that can cause infestation or disease, so there is no need for pesticides.

Acceptable means the community approves of the system of growing your crop because it does not harm the environment in any way.

Enriching means the farmers will become richer and richer. How? We will follow the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, ICRISAT’s strategy of Inclusive Market-Oriented Development, IMOD, adopted when Manong Willie was ICRISAT Director General. Via IMOD, the cooperative assists farmers in producing, processing and marketing their produce, to optimize expenses and maximize incomes. Consistently.

If you make the farmers richer, you will make the whole country happier!@517

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[1] http://sri.ciifad.cornell.edu/aboutsri/origin/index.html