Make sure to get a copy of February Agriculture

Don’t miss the success stories in February 2019 issue of Agriculture Magazine published by the Manila Bulletin which is the most widely circulated magazine of its kind in the Philippines.

The main story is that of Edison Magararu, a former OFW who knew how to save and invest his earnings and which he is using now to fund his farm projects in Bongabon, Oriental Mindoro. He had earlier bought a 12hectare rainfed farm and a five-hectare foreclosed fishpond.

Earlier, his brother Edmund managed their watermelon project with the help of an experienced technician. It was a most profitable one. Total expenses in growing the crop was R106,000. When it was ready for harvest on December 22, 2018, a trader contracted to buy the whole crop at R230,000. All that Edison did was receive the payment. The trader did all the harvesting and hauling of the harvest. The net profit was R124,000 in a growing period of three months. The profit was divided this way. Ed got 50 percent which was R62,000 while Edmund and the technician got P31,000 each.

Another project that was also profitable was growing Vannamae or white shrimp. During his vacation in the Philippines, Ed attended a seminar on shrimp production conducted by Tateh Feeds. He immediately liked the idea of raising Vannamae so he stocked 100,000 PL (post larvae) or baby shrimps in one hectare in late September 2018 which was harvested just before Christmas. As an accountant, Edison listed all the costs of inputs in that particular shrimp project. The result? Aside from the harvest that the family ate and some given to friends, Ed netted R60,000.

Other interesting stories in the February issue include the project of Cherrie Atilano in Marinduque. She is working on making Marinduque an island economy where most of the requirements of the population will be produced right In the province. She has introduced income-generating projects for ordinary families who are mostly land reform beneficiaries. One of hem is turmeric production under coconut.

SOLER FARM IN TANAY – The farm of Ryan Soler in Tanay, Rizal is also featured in the February issue of Agricultue Magazine. Photo shows Leo Oril (left) and Ryan posing with a beautiful crop of Red Lady papaya. Ryan is a radio program producer and businessman who opted to become an honest-to-goodness agribusiness entrepreneur.

EDISON MAGARARU, a former OFW who is now into full-time agribusiness operation in Bongabon, Oriental Mindoro. Here he is holding his favorite watermelon.

THIS IS the cover of the February issue featuring Edmund Magararu, Edison’s brother, who took charge of the watermelon project that produced a profit of P164,000, and costing only R106,000 to produce.