Davao De Oro Rubber Has Elasticity And Should Be Able To Bounce Back!

 

The caption above says, “DA-PRDP turned over the Village Level Rubber Processing and Marketing Enterprise to SARPHIL CARP Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative (SACARBECOM) in Monkayo, Davao De Oro last 11 March 2021.” Rubber being produced in the Philippines, a non-traditional commercial product. We are competing with Indonesia and Malaysia?

From the story by Joy M Montecalvo, the caption needs explanation. Not the enterprise itself, the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) turned over a village-type rubber sheet facility that can process 192,000 liters of latex yearly. Miss Joy says, “The 124 members of SACARBEMCO will now be able to produce 55 to 60 MT of rubber sheet per annum and increase their income to at least 5 percent per year or a total of 30 percent in six years.” Hopefully, I say. (The SACARBEMCO is the SARPHIL CARP Beneficiaries Multi-purpose Cooperative based in Monkayo, Davao De Oro.)

Miss Joy says in the headline, “Davao De Oro Coop Bounces Back With Better Rubber Production.” Bounced back from the uprooted trees and damaged farms brought about by Typhoon Pablo in 2012. The Coop actually received 2 rubber processing facilities, not just 1 facility as the caption implies. The PRDP, says Miss Joy, “officially turned-over the P5.3 million enterprise subproject” in Monkayo, including that delivery truck; however, she does notclarify whether or not that is the total amount for the 2 facilities.

More importantly, the unstressed story of the Coop is that this is an experience in learning entrepreneurship.

Before this, the Coop was tapping rubber and selling rubber cup lumps. It wanted to produce rubber sheets, but it did not have funds to set up a processing facility. In 2016, It was chosen as the beneficiary of the “Village Level Rubber Processing and Marketing Enterprise” subproject; this year arrived two village-level rubber processing facilities with supporting equipment. Says Miss Joy, “They can now expect better income since (the) rubber sheets have a better price than the cup (lumps).” The Coop has 40 ha of rubber.

Back to the typhoon, which also damaged the Coop’s palm oil trees. It then obtained a loan from the LandBank and started the rehabilitation of the rubber and palm plantations. The story does not mention what happened to the palm oil venture.

With the arrival of facility support from the PRDP, the Coop’s manager Elly Morente says:

This PRDP subproject is really a big help to us. Now that we have a processing plant, the price for our rubber will increase as well as the income of our farmers… It feels really good that the long wait is over and our sacrifices have finally paid off. We promise to take care of these facilities so that all our members will benefit from (them).

Even so, those rubber and oil palm plantations are not native to the Philippines; are we much better than Indonesians and Malaysians in producing rubber and palm oil? Does the Philippines have economic advantages in growing these non-native trees? Asking for a friend!@517

The IRRI That Was/Is Misunderstood

No, I am not an un/known paid apologist of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), but I am an agriculturist, UP Los Baños, and a writer, creative and critical – you have to appreciate being Critical before you can achieve the genius level of being Creative. And practice makes perfect, so!

The top image says, “IRRI: The Miracle That Never Was & Never Will Be,” a Facebook sharing by a group (never mind who). Here is its list of “Little-Known Truths About How IRRI Harms Filipino Rice Farmers” –

1: IRRI ignores the effectiveness of the peasant-oriented approach to growing food.
2: IRRI ignores the cries for justice of its workers and peasants whose rights it violated.
3: IRRI undermines self-sustaining peasant farming.
4: IRRI’s Green Revolution model is now being decried worldwide as it worsens the climate crisis.

Peasant-oriented approach to growing food?

Whatever it is or how it is carried out, sorry, but that “peasant-oriented approach” has failed to banish poverty among the farmers who do not know how to properly apply technology for farming.

Justice For IRRI Workers & Peasants?

Since 1959, when I was Freshman at UP Los Baños, I have been in and out of the campus, and I never heard, even whispered about IRRI abusing or not treating its employees right.

Personally, I see IRRI is not that brave. In 1980, I actually applied for a position in its Information Division – and I aced the Aptitude Test! What happened? IRRI was afraid of my genius.

3: Self-Sustaining Peasant Farming?

I happen to be the son of a not-so-poor farmer, so I know that our poor farmers do not know about self-sustaining farming – they are always the losers in the bargain! They are not entrepreneurial. They do notlook at it as a business, which it is.

The farmers have to learn to mind their own business!

4: IRRI’s Green Revolution Worsening Climate Change?

To this I will have to agree 100% – but first, I must explain that in fact it was our President Ferdinand “FM” Marcos who declared the Green Revolution based on IRRI’s so-called Miracle Rice (IR8).

Yes, since there are millions of hectares of ricefields all over the world, they must be the source of nitrous oxide, the deadliest climate change gas the world has known. And that exactly is why we need the New Thinking for Agriculture that Secretary of Agriculture William Darbrought in with him when he was appointed 05 August 2019.

That must-remain-unknown group argues that “IRRI is implicated in the harsh realities plaguing the rice sector: poor, debt-ridden rice farmers, supply shortages, an overdependence on imports, poisoned environment, and health.” No, it’s not IRRI who is at fault; who is guilty is more our local government leadership who does not understand or appreciate how farmers remain poor – they like to borrow a fast P5 and pay a fat P6! And the Merchants of Venice take advantage of them almost always.

“How could a supposedly premier rice institution fail so spectacularly in its promise?” No, IRRI never promised You a Rose Garden!@517

Abaca – Strongest Natural Fiber In The World, Weakest Research In The Philippines!?

According to Britannica, abaca (Musa textilis Nee) is native to the Philippines[1], thus the other name, Manila hemp. According to Wikipedia, abaca has many uses, including tea bags, banknotes, decorative papers, hats, bags, carpets, clothing and furniture. The Philippines supplied 87.4% of the world’s supply in 2014, earning $111.33 million, and the demand is still greater than the supply[2].

Abaca is the lifeblood of more than 200,000 farming families from 56 provinces in the Philippines[3] (Author Not Named, 29 June 2015, “Improved Abaca Varieties To Nail PH As Top Exporting Country Abaca: Weaving More Opportunities Into Farmers’ Lives,” DoST.gov.ph). That’s about 1 million Filipinos dependent on abaca for their livelihood – so why have I not heard of at least one millionaire abaca family?! DoST, where are the opportunities for abaca planters and weavers? That was 6 years ago!

On 16 March 2021, Jasper Y Arcalas reported: “Abaca Yield Seen To Dip Further In 2021; P171-Million Rehab Ongoing[4]” (BusinessMirror.com.ph); the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) is source of the mage above. PhilFIDA says typhoon Rolly had devastated abaca plantations, especially in Catanduanes, #1 PH producer. PhilFIDA Executive Director Kennedy T Costales says they are now implementing a P171-million rehabilitation and expansion program. “We are doing everything to rejuvenate the industry, and in two years’ time we will return to the 70,000-MT production level or even exceed that volume,” There is also the P50 million fund reallocated by the Senate for “an aggressive expansion” of abaca in the country, this year in 1,100 ha across 11 provinces. They will put up plantations in those provinces, “with each plantation being contiguous and having an average size of 100 ha.” As an agriculturist, I say, good idea! Economies of scale.

Catanduanes has its own P121 million rehabilitation program, for 8,000 ha. Mr Costales says recovery of abaca production in Catanduanes will take 18 months to 2 years.

Very impressive numbers, if I may say so. But nothing is mentioned about developing the industry – surely, there are abaca plants standing from where to get stems to produce the fibers to produce more abaca products to produce more income?

On 30 March 2019, Victor Walter and Astrid Wilsby, in a report of their study, “Abaca In The Philippines[5],” describe “low productivity and profit” because of the “lack of proper farming management, distribution and un-optimized usage of the fibers.” Foreign eyes seeing 3 major domestic abaca problems!

While PhilFIDA aims for new plantations, research is crucial – as an agriculturist, I say they should try intercropping. Even better, multiple cropping with coconut groves, the trees providing natural protection against typhoons.

RF Rañola Jr published in 2004 a paper titled “Is There Any Future For The Production Of Abaca? Problems And Prospects For The Philippine Abaca Industry[6].” He mentioned 5 major factors that affect production: area, variety, capital & farm investment, cultural management, and location-specific technologies.

Only if you mind all those will you help PH abaca prosper, typhoon or no typhoon!@517

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[1]https://www.britannica.com/plant/abaca

[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abac%C3%A1

[3]https://www.dost.gov.ph/knowledge-resources/news/44-2015-news/746-improved-abaca-varieties-to-nail-ph-as-top-exporting-country-abaca-weaving-more-opportunities-into-farmers-lives.html

[4]https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/03/16/abaca-yield-seen-to-dip-further-in-2021-p171-million-rehab-ongoing/

[5]https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1352495/FULLTEXT01.pdf

[6]https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=PH2005000029

Public Servant – To Find Meaning, Don’t Look In The Dictionary!

Can’t find inspiration? Me, with already an idea on what to write on, I further inspire myself with an image or photograph, such as the one above: “What if the meaning of life is to find meaning in life?”
(image of Philosoraptor[1] from Imgflip)

This essay was inspired by the Facebook sharing shown on my son Jomar Hilario’s own digital campaign for a million or more Filipinos each to pursue a Virtual Career (VC). On my own, I began my one-man digital work from home (WFH) early 2007: writing, editing, desktop publishing.

On Facebook, then-flight attendant Ludmila Carluen Barrica shared, “There Is Nothing Wrong With The Job But With Finding Meaning In What You Do.” Based in Doha, for many years, she was lonely, angry, frustrated, what-have-you – she reached near-breakdown.

I wanted to quit. My prayers for years included a constant plea for guidance how I could resign from what the world coin(ed) as a prestigious job. There was nothing wrong with it. In fact, it (helped) me discover the world and discover myself. And in so doing, I discovered that there (is) something wrong not with the job but with finding meaning in what I do.

She says she reached “rock bottom” but, fortunately, she came out of there. She credits God helping along the way. She explains how:

I began to see my job differently. Passengers and colleagues (became) not external and internal customers, but human beings. (So I began to treat) people with respect, in reverence (to) God who created them. No more irate passengers, no more difficult crew, no more demanding or annoying characters but people who need(ed) to be served and loved.

And from human beings, I (now) saw people as angels and angels in disguise.

True enough, you attract what you think. An outpour(ing) of God’s comrades came to my life in the (forms of) mentors, coaches, family, friends, church community, colleagues…

Today, Miss Ludmila has a successful virtual career. She is not specific but she describes it thus:

In December 2020, with the aid of God’s angels and angels in disguise, I was able to submit my resignation. I surrendered my flight attendant/trainer/OFW wings but gained another set of wings, given by my new boss, the King of kings and the Lord of lords! He calls me not just to be a stewardess up in the air but to be a faithful steward-ess of His blessings.

Beautiful!

Instinctively a writer or not, I say she writes with much power because she tells you how she feels. As a writer, when you reach that stage where you find personal meaning in what your story, you become much happier – and much more inspired!

Me, I write to help media people get interested in getting into or deeper into PH Agriculture to help themselves better – and in so doing help the poor farmers rise from poverty and stay up there. Media people have to look for personal meanings of Agriculture in their lives, so they can inspire others to look for theirs.@517

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[1]https://imgflip.com/i/y2x8l

“THiNK DiFFERENT” – My Creative Offering To PH Agriculture & My Gift To Aggie Journalists

You too can be creative! Promise.

I thought about my new blog’s name “i THiNK DiFFERENT” the other day, Saturday in Manila, 10 April 2021, which Filipinos refer to as “Araw Ng Kagitingan” (Day Of Valor), and which I see differently – It’s “Day Of Defeat,” as about 60,000 Filipino and American soldiers surrendered to the Japanese Imperial Forces in Bataan and they were forced to walk to Tarlac, about 100 km, and the Death March killed about 5,000 Filipinos and 500 Americans.

In other words, I am what I call a Thinkerer, you know what I mean. And so is Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal UK, who has written “11 Things Highly Creative People Do Differently![1]” (10 May 2017, Just Creative).

Miss Anna begins by saying:

Creative people always see things with a different perspective. They see themselves not for what they are, but for what they can be.

1.  They create their own schedule.

2.  They set aside time to be creative.

3.  They recognize their best & worst works.

4.  They are not afraid of failure.

5.  They take in the world around them.

6.  They stick to their dreams.

7.  They live in the world of fantasy.

8.  They are confident.

9.  They don’t follow boundaries.

10. They ask as many questions as they can.

11. They want space for themselves.

One: I schedule my blogging early in the morning, that is, having written & rewritten the day before.

Two: I prefer writing (first draft) very early in the morning. I rewrite anytime and manytimes.

Three: My best essay so far is the one I blogged 04 April 2021, “2 Leadership Lessons From Apayao Women – Help Yourself By Helping Others.” My best has come when I am already 80.6 years old, thank God!

Four: I never thought of failing in my writing. Made a mistake? I apologize.

Five: You bring out your own genius if you relax after writing a draft. You absorb what you observe. Then you revise. Then you relax. Then you revise again.

Six: I am a self-taught writer. My constant dream is to serve Filipino farmers by writing about how they themselves can think of the science of agriculture.

Seven: “Living in the world of fantasy” is being innocent about a great many things. When you can assume a child’s attitude, you can become a creative writer: I guarantee it!

Eight: I was in high school when I won an essay writing contest in Tagalog – my native tongue is Ilocano. That was when I discovered myself.

Nine: I will disagree with this one. I follow one boundary – when I criticize, you will never know because I suggest something different without mentioning you!

Ten: Yes, I ask many silent questions when I write – that is, I explore many angles. That’s how I often discover brilliance.

Eleven: If you disturb me when I am in front of the computer and typing, I may look at you blankly, as I am in my inner space. Duh!@517

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[1]https://justcreative.com/11-things-creative-people-do-differently/

Goat – Why The “Poor Man’s Cow” Is The Rich Man’s Crop Unseen

When I was a kid (pun intended) in the then-sleepy village of Sanchez in Asingan, Pangasinan, we had 2 or 3 goats tied to the posts underneath our half-wood-half-bamboo house, fed with grass and often leaves of the damortis (camachile, Manila tamarind) from branches that I cut and then hung underneath the house for them to reach and eat at will. We did not think of raising more goats to earn more. We were not poor by any means, but we did not think richer.

That is the problem I see with people raising goats, consciously or unconsciously fixating on the idea that “the goat is the poor man’s cow.” When you think poorly of the goat, that animal cannot make you richer!

I just saw under Goat Project Cordillera “DA-CAR-SAAD Press Release No Kalinga 15” on Facebook and it says (edited a little):

The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, in collaboration with the local governments of Kalinga (province) and Tanudan (town), turned over 263 head native goats (239 head does & 24 head bucks) to three farmer associations (FAs) in Tanudan on 26 March 2021. The goat production project, worth P1,052,000, is funded by the SAAD Program under FY 2020.

SAAD is under the Department of Agriculture (DA). Now, it may be asked: “Why is the DA raising goats and not cows, poor man’s and not rich man’s? Obviously, because of the project cost: P1 million for 263 goats for 3 farmer associations. If 263 calves were bought instead, at $200/head, the project would have cost P2,630,000. Double initial cost aside, cows are much more difficult to raise than goats.

“Goats are called poor man's cow, because they give you the same benefit(s) as the cow[1]” (toppr.com): i.e., milk, meat. Since a goat is much cheaper than a cow, poor people can afford raising it. Toppr says:

Goats can be raised by landless agricultural laborers, ladies and children because they can thrive well on variety of leaves, shrubs, bushes, kitchen waste etc. Goats are cheaper to maintain, easily available and have a friendly disposition. Goat hide is used for the manufacture of leather products. Goat hairs are used for the manufacture of rugs and ropes. Goat manure is 2.5 times richer in nitrogen and phosphoric acid than cow manure.

A goat is a poor man’s best friend!

For Goat Project Cordillera, each of the 239 beneficiaries received a head of doe: Bawak Darulog Allubaggan Pagugo (112), Pangol Farmers Improvement Organization (64), and Mabaca Bumaruan Farmers Association (63), while the 3 FAs in Tanudan received 12, 6, and 6 head bucks, respectively (the report does not name the specific FA).

Oh yes, I must not forget to mention that I really like goat’s meat. If the cook knows what he’s doing, there is no goat’s smell coming out of the eater’s body.

Especially kilawen, rarely done – I particularly like the goat’s flesh when at first the whole body is roasted over burning charcoal until it’s half-cooked, hair gone. It’s super delicious!@517

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[1]https://www.toppr.com/ask/question/which-of-the-following-is-termed-poor-mans-cow/

“One DA” Champions The Poor!

Today Saturday, 10 April 2021, Manila PH: “Happy Birthday, Sir William Dar, Secretary of Agriculture! We wish you more happy birthdays to come!”

Mr Dar was Director General (DG) 2000 to 2014 of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), which is based in India. 15 years – the Indians had so much faith in him as science leader, so why not us Filipinos?

Know that when Mr Dar became DG of ICRISAT, the institute belonged to the bottom of the list (kulelat) among 15 international agricultural research centers under CGIAR (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research), including IRRI. When Mr Dar retired in December 2014, ICRISAT was already #1, having won many awards and increased its budget over the years. The Secret? Team ICRISAT. The Spirit behind? Mr Dar as Servant Leader.

I know all that because I was international consulting writer (WFH) from 2007 to 2014, maintaining the blog iCRiSAT Watch (Blogspot.com), publishing a total of 365 long essays, 1,000 words plus each; out of those articles, ICRISAT published 7 books with me as Author.

My very first ICRISAT book was titled Team ICRISAT Champions The Poor (162 pages, 8.5”x11”), my title. On page 3, I wrote:

I came to know William Dar, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), through a common friend, Santiago Obien, former Director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) who made PhilRice world-renown, who asked me if I could write about Dar just as I had written about him (“Management: Relating Is Everything. Or, The Wizard Of Rice Who Cultivated Minds,” 2006 July 31, americanchronicle.com). I said I couldn’t possibly write about him until we met and I could ask pertinent questions, meaning size him up. And so we did, and so I did. And so I wrote, a little tentatively, about sweet sorghum and IICRISAT (“The Yankee Dawdle. On Discovery Sorghum, The Great Climate Crop,” 2007 February 4, americanchronicle.com), then mostly about William Dar himself (“An Inconvenient Truth: William Dar, The Filipino As Global Manager,” 2007 February 26, americanchronicle.com). The rest is his story.

The title of my first ICRISAT book today we can convert into “One DA Champions The Poor” –  we have “Team DA.” The man behind the international success of ICRISAT is the same man who champions the poor farmers and fishers in the Philippines today. Personally, he knows how it is to be poor – in Ilocos Sur, his parents could not afford to send him to high school! (His uncle did.) He studied at Benguet State University (BSA major in Education; MS Agronomy), and UP Los Baños (PhD in Horticulture).

He was the founding Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). When he became Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture & Resources Research & Development (PCARRD), he introduced the concept of Farmer-Scientist working in tandem, the practice of which brought Romulo Davide a Magsaysay Award.

Today, with Mr Dar as thinking head of DA, many a Filipino farmer and fisher can hope for much better lives. Asa Ka Pa!@517