Helpful Farming Resources in the Internet

Oct 22

Internet has surely revolutionized a lot of things. One of the many advantages it brought is that it has eased the access to information and collaboration among like-minded individuals. As farmers we can also take advantage of the internet. The information is just there for learning and discussion . It is just up to us to discern what would be the best practice that will most benefit us and the environment.

These are some of the local groups that I recommend:

1. Natural Farming in the Philippines

(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/natural_farming_philippines/);

Worldwide, the growing demand for safe, pesticide-free and naturally-farmed products trigger interest on natural and organic farming. Still considered as a budding sector in Philippine agriculture, nonetheless, organic food production belongs to the top ten priority sectors for revenue development in the Philippines (DTI, 2006). Thus, the Executive Order 481 aims to “promote agriculture development, conserve environmental resources and promote social equity and product access to foreign and domestic markets.”

2. Urban Agriculture

(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UrbanFarmers-Philippines/);

This group aims to encourage city dwellers to grow their own vegetables and fruits. Not only that prices of veggies and fruits become exorbitant, most of the ones you buy from the market are not fresh anymore thereby losing many of its nutrients and natural sweetness. This group invites those who wants to eat fresh vegetables from their very own farm: CONTAINERS! Here, we hope not only to encourage but teach proper methods of Urban Agriculture.

The group discusses various practices or cultural management of different vegetables where experts or experienced once will guide beginners or enthusiasts. While we may not totally eradicate chemicals, we hope to encourage everyone to go organic as home gardens are easier to manage to make it as such.

4. Vermiculture in the Philippines

(http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/vermiculture_owner/);

This group is about vermiculture in the Philippines. Sharing of experiences and ideas regarding vermiculture.

3. Rare Fruit Society of the Philippines

(http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/rarefruit-ph/)

RARE FRUIT SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES (RFSP) is composed of professional, commercial, amateur, and hobby growers of exotic and native tropical fruits in the Philippines. The purpose of the group is to share knowledge, expertise, and experiences of growing tropical fruits with other members.

The group encourages its members to exchange planting materials, seeds, and budsticks for the propagation of rare, minor, new variety of tropical fruits among its members to preserve and conserve the said fruits and the environment for future use due to the deforestation and industrialization in our country.

The group also aims to improve the fruit industry and to alleviate poverty by helping small farmers through technology transfer and information dissemination. The group hopes that by doing this we will not only be enjoying planting and collecting our favorite tropical fruits but by learning to help others especially the less fortunate.

In all of the groups, experienced and practicing farmer members contribute a lot by sharing information and even answering the questions of the aspiring farmers.