2001 Echoing Green Fellow Dr. Michael Bengwayan Wins World Bank Award

http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/michael-bengwayan

2001 Echoing Green Fellow Dr. Michael Bengwayan Wins World Bank Award

Congratulations to 2001 Echoing Green Fellow Dr. Michael Bengwayan! Last week, Michael’s organization, Pine Tree, won the World Bank Ecological Award. The award, worth one million pesos, has been presented to Pine Tree to prevent further dengue infestation in La Trinidad, Benguet, in the Philippines. The organization plans to use these funds to study the production of dengue’s natural enemies and mosquito plant repellants.

Every two years, the World Bank calls for submissions from government and non-government agencies; the focus is finding an innovative project that fosters community development in the fields of environment, livelihood and good governance. This year, more than 500 agencies applied, ninety-nine made it to the finals and only thirty-one were awarded. Our congratulations go to Michael and everyone at Pine Tree!

Michael Wins 2008 Ford Eco Grant

Ford Extends Over P1M to fund Ecogrant Projects
Baker says consideration for the environment remains a top priority for Ford

http://www.ford.com.ph/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1178857387693&pagename=FPH%2FDFYArticle%2FFord-Standalone&pageid=1137383205294&site=FPH&c=DFYArticle

Makati City - October 28, 2008. Ford Group Philippines (FGP) extended P1.011 million to four grassroots-initiated environmental projects and one cultural conservation effort under the 2008 Ford Environmental and Conservation Grants program, FGP president Rick Baker disclosed recently.


Now on its ninth run, the Ford EcoGrants program stemmed from Ford’s commitment to the environment and to the community. Beyond channeling funds, Ford has built strong partnerships with individuals and organizations who share the Company’s vision of preserving natural resources, protecting national heritage and tapping the youth as development partners.


The biggest grantee this year is Pine Tree for its project, “Energizing Farm and Households through Bio-fuel Production and Extraction of Petroleum Nut.” Based in the Cordillera region, the project seeks to provide a source of energy for 75 families in Kabayan, Benguet for their lighting, cooking, heating and machine work by using the oil from Petroleum Nut. “Apart from uplifting the community’s economic and social well being, the project also seeks to contribute to the preservation of trees and forests,” explained proponent, Dr. Michael Bengwayan.


Another Ford EcoGrant recipient is the First Philippine Conservation, Inc., for its initiative, “Restoring our Forests as One Nation.” It aims to pilot a sound forest restoration program that addresses both ecological integrity and the well-being of human communities. It will tap scientists, indigenous groups, peoples’ organizations, local government units and the Protected Area Management Board to conserve the Bataan Natural Park.


Other 2008 Ford EcoGrant winners are the Maguindanaon Development Foundation, Inc., which will conserve and preserve the handicrafts of Maguindanaon women for their livelihood, as well as the sources of these handicrafts’ raw materials such as pandan, bamboo, water lily and other plants; the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) proposed by Director Theresa Mundita Lim; and the Save the Iron Wood project of Forrester Joven Tare.


Dr. Teresita R. Perez, chairperson of the Environmental Science Department of the Ateneo de Manila University, Engineer Julian Amador, director of the Energy Utilization and Management Bureau - DENR, and Cherry Ramirez, FGP assistant vice president for corporate affairs served as the 2008 Ford EcoGrants judges.


P20M for 70 Ford EcoGrant projects in nine years
Since 2000, FGP has channeled P20 million to a total of 67 projects through the Ford EcoGrants program. FGP received a total of about 500 entries throughout its nine-year run. The program formed part of Ford’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, making tangible the Company’s commitment to help address social and environmental issues.


“I have fond memories of the various projects we’ve supported through the years. I remember our company hosting the first Biofuels Caravan in February 2007 where a motorcade of several vehicles--all running on bio-fuels--travelled across the country, showing the potentials of this alternative fuel in the Philippines. I also participated in my first Philippine tree-planting activity in Rizal Park which was joined by Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim, then Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. chair Former First Lady Amelita Ramos, and some 100 Ford employee volunteers in September 2007. I have also met some amazing people along the way like Dr. Menandro Acda of UP Los Banos who is the epitome of Filipino ingenuity with his project that made use of chicken feathers for pre-fabricated construction materials,” Baker said.


But based on the global direction and after deliberation with FGP’s board of directors and management team, Baker announced that this is the last year of the Ford EcoGrants. “We have decided to focus our CSR efforts on road safety, an advocacy that is closer to our core business,” explained Baker.


“Rest assured that consideration for the environment continues to be a top priority in our business. In fact, it has transformed the way we do business, and will always be an integral part of Ford as a company. We believe that our approach to sustainability will be one of the most important factors in both our short-term financial recovery and our long-term success,” Baker added.

Ford Group Philippines president Rick Baker (second, from left) holds the symbolic certificate representing the P1.011-million funding assistance Ford extended to five projects under the Ford Conservation and Environment Grants program. These projects are represented by (from left) Dausay Daulog of the Maguindanaon Development Foundation, Inc., Director Theresa Mundita Lim of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau-DENR Atty. Juan Quicho, Jr. of the First Philippine Conservation, Inc., and Dr. Michael Bengyawan of the Pine Tree - Cordillera Center for Ecological Education, Training, Research and Information. Forester Joven Tare of the Save the Iron Wood project failed to attend the formal EcoGrant awarding rites.

Waiting for Christmas In My Garden

Waiting for Christmas in My Garden

Early each day I walk to my garden. With a teamug on hand, I scout for
poor young worms feasting on vegetables. I crush them. Not all of them
though. I'm no freak. But I want some veggies on my table too. I don't
like the idea but I have no choice.

Each day too, I take an appreciating look at the pine trees. Always
there, assuring that the world will forever be green. It is a dying
hope though, what with all the deforestation going on. But hope has
given to more hope in the past. It is happening over and over again.

Beyond the garden bunds, trobadour Jiminy crickets take a crack at the
last dusk before it is swallowed by day. They are drowned by several
birds of many kinds. It is a welcome sound.

This garden (I have several) is about 400 square meters located 50
meters from the house. Alnus japonica or what most know as Alnus,
provides shade, spreading scads of broad, hard, green leaves. Before
the garden is a huge house (as big as a local municipal building) owned
by one they call (DE) district engineer, but one who is a plain crook
to me.

I love the garden, and with the onset of every summer, I find myself
working in it constantly. There is much to be done: Weeds need to be
pulled, leaves need to be raked, dead plants need to be carted off and
piled into a compost, seeds to sow, seedlings to prick and tons more o
f
work that leave you b
athing in your sweat but feeling contented every
end of the day.

All of this—the weeding, the planting, even my interest in the garden
itself—has taken me a bit by surprise. I always had a garden before,
and always thought of myself as the gardening type. But at my age (49)
I enjoy it better. Although writing has taken years of my life.

Long rows of Sadanga sitting beans with lush leaves and heavy pods
await to be harvested. And beside them are four rows of "kalbo-oy"
sweet potato, known to be the best in the Cordillera. I have round
eggplants, red, yellow and green chillies, gray and golden suchinnis,
and red and green lettuce.

Beyond the veggies are thousands of petroleum nut trees and Calliandra
calothyrsus nitrogen fixing trees. All around are gold and yellow
marigolds that ward off most insect pests. I have grape-type red
tomatoes as well as cherry ones. These have more lycopene, commanding
three dollars a kilo in the market. But I never sell them. I give them
away to whoever asks for some.

I like sitting on the grass to watch the plants grow because it gives
me hope that tomorrow is always a better day. And as hope gives more
hope, the coming Christmas should be no different. As Christians
celebrate the fake birthday of Jesus, we are given hope once again that
God's gift --Jesus-- would make us grow to be better every day. That in
t
his world reeking with apathy, love alone could awaken love.



And like every morning in a garden, we have a new life. A gift given
again and again. This morning, this blessed morning, should be an
every Christmas morning.

Michael Bengwayan

Using Marigold and Beer as Effective Insect Pest Control

Some of the things we want to share our readers are simple information on vegetable gardening based on our experiences that lessen costs and still ensure a good harvest. This time around, we are going to talk about the flower marigold and beer which we use to repel and attract destructive insect pests.

Many gardeners like to include marigold flowers in the vegetable garden to add a touch of color from this easy growing plant that performs well from spring thru summer and right into the fall season.

Other gardeners grow marigolds in the hope that they will help in the battle against destructive insects and animal pests. In our experience, we observed that indeed marigold repels cutting worms like caterpillars. We have observed that marigold are active also against repel cucumber beetles and other pests around melons, squash, and cucumbers.

With regards to beer, we control the slimy slugs that attack our seedling propagation beds with beer. It is getting cold now in our place and during early evenings, slugs show up and eat the small seedlings of crucifers like cabbages and Chinese pai tsai.

To rid the slugs, we put two cans on both ends of the propagation bed and half fill each with beer. The beer attracts the slugs at night an din the morning we have two cans full of slugs, which we throw or dispose off or by killing these. The beer is an attractant.

That's all for now. Our strawberry crops are staring to grow. We just planted our runners and so far the rains have not been frequent so we expect a good harvest from our sweet potato and chayote (Sechium edule).

Camote, Mitochondria of Indigenous Folks

We planted sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) this quarter. This carbohydrate-rich tuber has provided the food needs for many generations of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines. Also, because of the strong rains and typhoons, we choose the crop because it can withstand adverse weather conditions while we wait for better weather.

The humble sweet potato... so much loved before but unfortunately young folks are shunning it because of junk fast foods.

The sweet potatop is versatile and full of vitamins, but above all, it's a very easy crop to grow.
The leafy, trailing plant will produce tubers all year round in tropical areas. It also grows well in cool, frost-free climates. Now is the perfect time to get a start, because sweet potato likes at least four to six months of warm weather to produce a good crop. By the end of the year, we expect to have about 4 tons in the one hecatre area we planted.

Firstly, we chose a warm, sunny spot and dug plenty of compost and old manure into the soil. We mounded the soil in narrow rows along the length of the beds bed. That will give the tubers a nice deep soil to develop.To get the first crop underway, we planted using cuttings from old plants and planted them just below the soil surface in the corner of the patches.

The plants were kept moist, and in a week or so, little sprouts began to appear. When they got to about 15cm long, these were snipped off and planted in mounds as cuttings about 50cm apart. In no time, roots formed and the sweet potatoes started to grow.

We did not use any commercial fertiliser. They tend to encourage too much leaf growth. Instead, we sprinkled a little sulphate of potash about every so often. It was that easy, and they're fun to grow them

El Nino and La Nina Prods Us To Zero Tillage

Friends

It has been almost two months since we were able to get into our blog page. The reasons were technical and the travels that we had to undertake.

It has been raining since the middle of June and it just wiped out months of drought.

In the beginning of July we planted cabbages and succhinni. Because of the rainy season, we planted the succhini seeds in compost plastic bags and transplanted them in the field two weeks after sowing. This method allowed us not to till the soil again, which, otherwise would have been a difficult job--what with the rain and all. The planting beds were covered with black plastic mulching thus eliminating weed growth.

The potatoes were directly planted after the garden beds were fertilized with chicken manure because we ran out of compost.

After three weeks of growth, all three crops were attacked. First the potatoes was attacked by blight. We had no recourse but to spray with fungicides otherwise all the crops will be lost. Becuse it rained every day, we sprayed twice a week using a sticker called tenac so that the fungicide will stick to the plant leaves.

The cabbages were likewise afflicted with headrot but were able to prevent further damage by spraying fungicides. The succhinni fruits were also attacked but we did not spray. Some of the fruits were able to withstand the rotting and on the middle of August we were able to harvest.

What are left now are potatoes and cabbages but take not they are no longer organically grown and pesticide free. We planted a few red cabbages and onion leeks and they grew wonderfully, surviving any fungal attack. These were harvested recently and brought to the cooperative of the Benguet State University which patronizes our products.

Meanwhile, we have planted the rest of the gardens with sweet potato which grows robustly during the rainy season as well as taro or gabi. Both crops favor the rainy season. We also planted chayote, vine vegetable fruit and it is giving us so much harvest although the prices are not too high but good enough to meet our expense needs.

I have been travelling in several provinces talking to farmers on food security. It was a nice experience, a learning one. There was and impending drought on June only to be negated by sudden rush of heavy rains since the end of June. It is still raining cats and dogs daily but life has to go on...we need to go on planting. We are thankful, what more can we expect..
+

After the work, comes the reward

My, it is now more than a month since my last blog. My memory did not serve me well the last time I tried to get into this net world thus, my password got lost in the cyberspace. But here we are again.

The rains have become incessantly inconvenient. It is good for one thing--for irrigation and bad for two or three things--it enhances fungal growth, washes away top soil and prevents us from doing much work.

There were 16 harvests on the succhini, done at intervals of three days each. There are still some plants left while we rid the rest by roguing--fruits started rotting because of the rain. Since we don't use fungicides, we have to let go but about 90 per cent of the fruits have been harvested. Ther brocolli will be harvested next week as well as the cabbages. The onion leeks were harvested in one day. The Romaine lettuce were harvested in 20 pickings.

All in all, a total of 880 kg of succhini were harvested while 120 kg was realized from the onion leeks. Two hundred and ten kilos were marketed out from the Romaine lettuce.

The harvests were good--some 70 per cent delivered to cooperatives and to the Benguet State University Marketing Center which provides vegetables for faculty and students of the university. The rest of 30 per cent were orders from families in the community. We prefer selling to university marketing center because they maintain strict adherence to pesticide-free products.

Well, we had our first harvests and it feels good. The working students brought home some for their use and many are thinking of starting their own gardens once they finish their training. All are enthusiastic. We are looking forward to our harvests on potato and cabbage.

Meanwhile , our seedlings are growing well and some will be planted next week. Some have been bought and our hands our really full this rainy season.

It's gonna be a wet season but better wet than upset, if we did a poor job. But we did pretty well for this first threee months, with a little prayer thrown in and a bit of Irish luck.