Methodes used:

1. Soil mixture in old rice sacks and individual planting. We tried also to grow 2 different varieties in one sack but these experiments are still ongoing.

2. Separating the regular soil with old plastic bags etc. and then hilling up floods from our soil mixture. The effect is almost the same as when planting in sacks while it is much cheaper.

Another target is to harvest out of season when prices are high. Due to the La Nina effect in 2008 there was no dry season. Always rainy and cloudy. There have been less than 10 really sunny days within that year. Despite of this unfavorable wheather conditionens we where able to harvest at our experimental farm about 15 varieties in perfect quality and reasonalble or good yields per plant.

For most of our experiments we had control plantings in regular soils in open fields. Almost all of them failed. It seems that this planting methodes (sacks, soil separation) are preventing rampant problems like stagnant water, fungi and soil borne deseases. The latter is very important because most of the soils in our area are infested with bacterial wilt. It seems that our soil mixture does have a sterilizing effect.

3. Intercropping of different varieties. At present we do have ongoing experiments with

A. Sweet Corn - Beans - Squash

and

B. Tomato - Chili - Beans.

Many more combinations will be tested within the near future.

4. We are experimenting with different mulching methods. This minimizes the weeds, cools the soil and reduces water losses by evaporation.

Outlook for 2009

In 2009 we are planting with new new soil mixture variations, additional vegetable and corn varieties as well as rice and citrus trials. We successfully tested already a sytem to grow vegetables under the citrus trees.

Another important subject is the use of natural pestizides. We are still studying different methodes and materials. Initial experiments produced prommissing results but we are still in the very beginning. Our target is a 100% biological production.

Fortunately there are some farmers in our community who adopted our methodes and are now doing there own experiments. All of us are sharing our results and experiences which enhances the experiments.

Our projects are supported by the Municipal Government, Department of Agriculture, East West Seed Inc., Ramgo Seeds etc. We do have experienced farm workers and management. I am most time of the year in Tigaon to supervise the projects. Our family owns about 20 hectars of farmland (Citrus Plantations, Rice Fields and Vegetable Production) on which our experiments are taking place.

In 2008 the “Tigaon Vegetable Planter`s Association” was foundet. It provides support in marketing and technical assistance. There are regular seminars for all interested farmers and gardeners in Tigaon. This is an important muliplicator for our projects.

The local Government owns and operates the production facillity for BIO-N organic fertilizer. They do have a laboratory, complete equipment for biochar production and a repacking department. All f this we can use for free if needed for our experiments.

Your questions and suggestions are always welcome!