Encounters at the Agrilink trade show

The weather cooperated very well with the Agrilink trade show on October 4-6 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. It was a sunny three-days, unlike previous years when it was rainy and the outdoor exhibition area was muddy.

As usual, farming enthusiasts from various places around the country flocked to the show. The seed companies showcased a lot of chilies, finger peppers, pumpkin and many others.

The attendees were fascinated to see the beautiful finger peppers that were so big and immaculately clean. One fellow who saw the Magnum “panigang” pepper at the Ramgo booth commented that two pieces at the Pasig market cost ten pesos.

One farm owner who saw the beautiful Portia chili pepper at the Ramgo booth said he is going to plant hot pepper because the price is so attractive. For a start, he needs about 30 trays of ready-to-plant seedlings.

At the Ramgo booth, we also saw the beautiful blocky fruits of Thames bell pepper. It is good for planting in both the lowland and in higher elevations. The fruits are big which turn red upon ripening. The green bell pepper (green because it is not yet ripe) is already good for cooking. It makes a tasty dish by simply slicing the fruit into small pieces and sauteeing it together with diced onion and tomato plus fish sauce to taste.

We were also impressed by the big fruit of a new ampalaya variety that is being introduced in the country by Known-You Phiippines. Easily, three fruits could weigh a kilo or more. There is no official varietal name yet because it is undergoing field trials in different parts of the country, according to Aubregyn V. Ancheta, an executive of KYP.

LIVESTOCK FARMERS FROM ZAMBALES – We also met an interesting couple who are raising goats and cattle in their 8-hectare farm in Palauig, Zambales. They are Gilbert and Rachel Bugia who used to be employees of a big broadcasting company in Manila. They gave up their jobs in the city to devote their time to farming in the province.

The husband and wife tandem are Gilbert and Rachel Bugia who claimed they are already 45 but they look much younger. They are currently taking care of 500 head of cattle mainly for

RAMGO HIGH-VALUE VARIETIES – At left is Mona Visitacion of Ramgo Seeds who is showing beautiful fruits of Magnum finger pepper which is now a favorite of farmers. At right is Cassandra Chan, also of Ramgo, showing fruits of Thames bell pepper that is a high-yielder.