ORCHARD IN WESTERN MINDANAO GROWS FIGS AND OTHER EXOTIC FRUIT-BEARING TREES
Agriculture|November - December 2020
FIGS IN THE PHILIPPINES
PATRICIA BIANCA S. TACULAO
ORCHARD IN WESTERN MINDANAO GROWS FIGS AND OTHER EXOTIC FRUIT-BEARING TREES

FIGS (Ficus carica) are fruits of a tree with the same name. It is indigenous to select areas extending from the Asian part of Turkey to northern India. However, its natural seedlings are prolific in most Mediterranean countries where it’s called “the poor man’s food.” Ironically, it can be expensive in areas where it doesn’t grow naturally.

The fruit can be consumed fresh or dried and contains significant amounts of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.

Seeing as how figs can be cultivated in warm countries, a nursery and orchard in Western Mindanao decided to grow the fruit-bearing trees in their area.

According to Leslie May Canilao, a proprietor of the Westin Plant Nursery and Orchard Farm in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, one of the fig varieties that they grow is the Black Genoa, which is a fast-growing tree that can grow to a height of three to five meters tall.

During summer, this particular fig variety produces numerous fruits with purple-green skin and dark red colored flesh.

The farm propagates the figs by introducing natural fertilizers such as fermented fruit juice (FFJ), fermented plant juice (FPJ), and organic seaweed foliar to ensure maximum fruit production. They also use this same technique with growing mulberry.

“Figs, like mulberries, are easy plants to grow in containers. Anyone can grow it--even those who have no experience in gardening,” Canilao said.

Esta historia es de la edición November - December 2020 de Agriculture.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November - December 2020 de Agriculture.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE AGRICULTUREVer todo
TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED PROMPTED A COUPLE TO BUY A LOT AND START THEIR OWN FILIPINO DREAM OF FARMING
Agriculture

TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED PROMPTED A COUPLE TO BUY A LOT AND START THEIR OWN FILIPINO DREAM OF FARMING

ED AND CECILE GABATAN have been working in the corporate world for years. Like many other Fllipinos who have spent their work days dealing with paperwork and facing a computer, they too, dream of retiring on a farm someday where they can enjoy the fresh breeze and grow their own food.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November - December 2021
URBAN GARDENER GROWS FOOD IN PLASTIC DRUMS AMID THE QUARANTINE FOR THEIR FAMILY'S FOOD SECURITY
Agriculture

URBAN GARDENER GROWS FOOD IN PLASTIC DRUMS AMID THE QUARANTINE FOR THEIR FAMILY'S FOOD SECURITY

IN QUEZON CITY, Daisy Cu, 46, began growing vegetables in their residence as an attempt at food security and self-sufficiency. Cu has been tending ornamental plants and fruit-bearing trees for years now. Her free time during the quarantine allowed her not only to focus on cultivating her existing plants, but also to produce vegetables at home using plastic drums. Cu's goal to provide food for their family is what urged her to establish a decorative, yet an edible garden incorporating ornamental and food crops. "With the use of the blue drums, I was able to achieve my intention of creating an edible but decorative garden plus I was able to repurpose the drums as well,” Cu explained.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November - December 2021
YOUNG SEAFARER GROWS GRAPES TO GET BACK ON HIS FEET
Agriculture

YOUNG SEAFARER GROWS GRAPES TO GET BACK ON HIS FEET

BEING A SEAFARER is one of the most arduous jobs that one can engage in. Not only does it require a good amount of physical strength and endurance, but it also calls for a sound mental and emotional capacity. These qualities help them survive for months on end at sea, far from their family and the usual comforts they are accustomed to.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November - December 2021
SOFTWARE ENGINEERS ESTABLISH FARM TO EARN PROFIT AND FOSTER FOOD SECURITY
Agriculture

SOFTWARE ENGINEERS ESTABLISH FARM TO EARN PROFIT AND FOSTER FOOD SECURITY

PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE has had its highs and lows over the years. Some examples of its low points include oversupply in farmers' crops, and land grabbing. Meanwhile, it has also seen some success through the rise of farm tourism destinations, the establishment of farm to market roads, and programs aimed to help out the Filipino farmer.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November - December 2021
SENIOR CITIZEN'S QUEZON FARM IS THE PRODUCT OF HARD WORK
Agriculture

SENIOR CITIZEN'S QUEZON FARM IS THE PRODUCT OF HARD WORK

ROMULO B. AYAG , or Ka Mulong as he is fondly called, owner of Ka Mulong’s Farm, had to go through a tough life to obtain the hard-earned achievements that he and his family now savor.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November - December 2021
RETIRED CORPORATE EMPLOYEE IS NOW A FULL-TIME FARMER
Agriculture

RETIRED CORPORATE EMPLOYEE IS NOW A FULL-TIME FARMER

A LOT OF PEOPLE become farmers in retirement. One of them is Thelma Murillo, a retiree who is now a full-time farmer after working in the corporate world for more than 30 years.

time-read
6 minutos  |
November - December 2021
MANILENO FAMILY WHO MOVED TO ALBAY FINDS SUCCESS IN FARMING AND EARNS OVER P60,000 A MONTH
Agriculture

MANILENO FAMILY WHO MOVED TO ALBAY FINDS SUCCESS IN FARMING AND EARNS OVER P60,000 A MONTH

LIVING IN THE CITY means convenience and other benefits, but it also entails bearing with traffic, noise, and pollution. For this reason, others may find urban life exhausting, making them yearn for a peaceful and healthy environment.

time-read
7 minutos  |
November - December 2021
REMOTE FOREST FARM IN RIZAL BOASTS AN  ALL-NATURAL FARM EXPERIENCE
Agriculture

REMOTE FOREST FARM IN RIZAL BOASTS AN ALL-NATURAL FARM EXPERIENCE

IN HINDUISM, Vaikuntha is the name of the celestial abode of Vishnu, one of the three main gods of the religion who is responsible for protecting and maintaining life on earth.

time-read
5 minutos  |
November - December 2021
FORMER OFW RUNS INTEGRATED NATURAL FARM IN ORIENTAL MINDORO, DONATES FARM PRODUCTS AMID PANDEMIC
Agriculture

FORMER OFW RUNS INTEGRATED NATURAL FARM IN ORIENTAL MINDORO, DONATES FARM PRODUCTS AMID PANDEMIC

LOVE AND PASSION are the two things that spurred Ramona M. Pastor, owner of HN Organic Farm, to fully devote her time to farming after working in various fields abroad for over 10 years.

time-read
5 minutos  |
November - December 2021
FARMERS' DAUGHTER DEVELOPS A FARM RESORT THAT EARNS PROFIT AND PRESERVES THE ENVIRONMENT
Agriculture

FARMERS' DAUGHTER DEVELOPS A FARM RESORT THAT EARNS PROFIT AND PRESERVES THE ENVIRONMENT

PEOPLE sometimes have the false notion that farmers would not wish for their children to follow in their footsteps, or that the youth have no interest in farming like their ancestors.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November - December 2021