Organics helping Pacific agriculture

I have often expressed that the world needs more good news. Today while doing some research for my potential thesis, I came across the article below and it made me so pleased, I felt it only right to share it!

 

Organics: the key to helping Pacific agriculture conquer new markets

In the Pacific Islands, farmers have traditionally used organic farming methods, but because their produce was not officially certified, they were unable to enter the US$18 billion global market. Now, with the help of new regional organic standards, a growing number of island farmers are getting a good price for their produce in international markets, improving life for themselves and their families.
The 22 countries and territories of the Pacific Islands region include a mix of continental and volcanic islands, and low and raised coral atolls. They are island nations with small populations – totalling 9.5 million – scattered across an ocean area of approximately 30 million square kilometres. Less than 2 per cent of this area is land.
While outsiders may view the region as a palm-fringed paradise, life for the islanders can be difficult. The local economies are uncertain and slow-growing; domestic markets are small and poorly integrated.
But island farmers have a potentially lucrative asset: because of their widespread use of traditional farming methods, without the application of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, they have been using organic farming methods for centuries.
In recognition of the potential benefits of linking farmers to organic markets, a Regional Organic Task Force (ROTF) was set up in 2007 to develop and implement a new organic standard for the region. The task force is a public/private partnership that includes experienced organic practitioners, farmers, processors, exporters, organic inspectors, researchers and staff members of agriculture ministries and NGOs. The programme led to the establishment of the third-ever worldwide organic standard in 2008. There have already been significant changes at the policy level, as government attitudes towards sustainable farming have changed. This should lead to benefits for local economies, food security and diet.
Farmers making a profit
Mano Lami’s coconut farm shows what has been achieved.

Organic certification provides market opportunities for Pacific island farmers and their families

“Before we joined the organics programme we earned nothing,” says Lami. But when her farm became fully certified as organic, the growth in her family’s prosperity and standing in the community was remarkable. “When our farm was fully certified as organic and the prices [we could charge] increased, we noticed a huge difference,” she says. “We used the income to extend our house and can now afford to pay our electricity bills as well as make church donations. We used to rely on remittances from my children and relatives overseas, but now we don’t.”



Overcoming obstacles
Farming in the Pacific Islands is predominantly small scale, low in productivity and based mainly on family labour, with limited use of modern technology. Would-be organic producers face a variety of obstacles, including the high cost of certifying, auditing and compliance needed to meet international organic standards.
To overcome these obstacles, IFAD funded two projects, one to help establish organic standards for the region, and another to build the capacity of farmers to meet organic – and subsequently fair-trade – standards. The first project set out to develop regional standards through a locally owned process, and to negotiate acceptance of them with certifying bodies in other regions. The intent was to create a regional strategy and national plans to build a strong foundation for sustainable organic agriculture in the region.
Ten Pacific Island countries – working with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Women in Business Development Inc (WIBDI), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand  – formed a Regional Organic Task Force to create the organic standard. The task force is backed by the recently-created Pacific High Level Organics Group, which draws on work being done by the projects to advocate and raise awareness for organic development at regional and national levels. The Organic Group was chaired by the Prime Minister of Samoa, with other members including the Presidents of both Kiribati and Niue and the Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
The task force has evolved into the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom), reflecting the fair or ethical trade values incorporated in its work. Progress has been swift and the first Pacific Organic Standard was endorsed by Pacific leaders in September 2008.
Raising sails to conquer the Pacific
According to Ron Hartman, IFAD’s country programme manager for the Pacific Islands, organic products can help farmers overcome isolation from international markets.
“Thanks to the growing international demand for organic and fair-trade products, there is an opportunity for small farmers in the Pacific Islands to benefit from this expanding market,” he says. “But there are strict international requirements for organics, so products must first be certified to ensure that they can be exported to overseas markets and farmers can benefit from price premiums.”
Aleki Sisifa, Director of the Land Resources Division at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), says the region is in dire need of this kind of support. “The Pacific is facing the effects of climate change, degradation of ecosystems and the need to generate livelihoods to maintain islands’ populations,” he said.
According to Sisifa, the Pacific Organic Standard “aims to provide a vehicle for organic production, as a sector, to raise its sails and conquer the Pacific.”
Samoan coconut oil for the Body Shop
The Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu all have organically certified land now. Organically certified crops and products currently being exported from the Pacific include beef, coffee, cocoa, coconut (as virgin coconut oil), vanilla and other spices, nonu (local spelling for the noni fruit) and both fresh and dried ‘lady’s finger’ bananas).

Organic and fair-trade products improve income opportunities for local communities

As some Samoan coconut farmers have discovered, there is considerable international demand for organic products from the Pacific. In 1991, WIBDI was established to support income generation in rural communities in Samoa. It has helped Samoan farmers reach organic certification standards and has developed a market link with the Body Shop in the United Kingdom to supply organic virgin coconut oil from smallholder Samoan farmers.

The financial benefits for local families are considerable. More children are attending school and families are able to expand their businesses. But there are other advantages to organic agriculture.
“Organics is more about a way of life than about certification and export,” says Adi Maimalaga Tafuna’I, Director of Samoa’s WIBDI. “It is about health, ecology, fairness and care. We want more than just sound technical regional standards. We want to incorporate a Pacific feel that acknowledges our past as organic farmers and the changes that have happened. We need to acknowledge our smallness in marketing terms and also recognize our culture and develop a brand that acknowledges that – as a holistic organic system.”

Source: IFAD

http://www.ruralpovertyportal.org/web/guest/region/voice/tags/oceania/organics_pacific

Cerealicious Katipunan

Cearealicious Menu

AMAZING Breakfast!

Enjoyed a short walk over to Katipunan Avenue this morning and found another amazing food spot in Quezon City.

Cerealicious on Katipunan

Let me introduce you to Cerealicious, claimed to be the first and only cereal cafe! This fun colored, fun ingredient breakfast place has won my heart. All of the combination's are creatively mixed with movie themes, This morning I ate The K After Tomorrow, and Ian had Harry Butter, Finger of Azkaban.

The combination's come in two sizes the smaller for p50 and the larger for p100. You will be satisfied after a small size, but your gluten will make you wish you had the large size =)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cerealicious Choices

The cold creamy base for these cereal creations is not too sweet or too tart, but really just perfect, good with the ultra sweets such as chocolates and marshmallow, but also amazing with granola's and fruits!

Here is the web site: http://www.cerealicious-ph.com/menu.htm

Teriyaki Boy Katipunan

I have a new restaurant find, and I realize that this blog is quickly becoming a food evaluation however I am ok with that. I think a HUGE part of being a student is eating, an equally as huge part of traveling is eating, thus the transformation.

Yesterday Ian and I ate at a wonderful restaurant. Teriyaki Boy. Its a fairly large chain in Manila, serving Japanese based fare.

You would guess that it is nothing special due to its strange color and lighting choices. Bright lights, with black and yellow striped decor. However a more fitting atmosphere would be something more sophisticated reflecting the truly delicious and well presented Japaneses dishes.

The prices are average for a sit down Japanese restaurant in Manila.
A California roll was around p150
All you can drink soda p100
Vegetable Crab Tempura p100

On our first visit  to the Katipunan location we had some of the best wait staff service since our arrival in the Philippines,on our second visit we were sat quickly and than ignored for 20 min, we ended up just leaving because the wait staff was ignoring us

Here is a the official link if your wanting to find a location: http://www.teriyakiboy.com.ph/tb/

UP Foreigner Registration

There is a great lack of clear information for foreign students at UP. I have the impressing at Ateneo has a better foreign student program and that after UP foreign student fees you will be paying almost the same price per term as Ateneo. That said I am glad that I am a UP student, so if you are thinking of trying school in the Philippines UP is a great option! I have successfully completed my second round of foreign student registration. This term was not as horrid as last term but still a long and unexciting process. It appears that they system and order of operations changes term to term but a few things remain the same.

Things to bring with you when you go to register

• ID, as many as you have, passport, I card, Student ID, driving ID
• copies of these ID's I would suggest 3 of each
• Snacks you will most likely be waiting a long time and wont want to sacrifice your place in line to buy food
• A book or some other distraction
• ID photos
• A long folder, the papers they give you are not the standard paper size
• Change for the jeep you are going to be going across campus several times
• Wet wipes for your face and arms most lines will not be in AC and its hot

Things that make registering easier

• Talking to the person next to you
• Asking the guard at the front of the building where to go 
• Do not worry about paying till after you get done registering, than wait a day before you go pay, it will make you more relaxed. 
• If you pay a day or two after the deadline there is no late charge
• wear cool comfortable clothes, but still somewhat nice looking
• its going to be hot
• you have to sit for a long time
• your Filipino classmates will somehow look very nice even in the heat

University of the Philippines

Have fun and good luck!




This is an outline of what to expect during your first semester as a international student at UP

1)      Find Ms. Ester Mendoza, get her phone number, she is going to help you a lot

2)      Go to the photo copy center at the back of this building/complex and get 10 copies of your passport, 6 of your most recent entry stamp, and 5 copies of your letter of admission. I know it seems like a lot but you will want them. This is going to be around 15 pesos

3)      Next you will need to go to the shopping center that is located on Katipuan Rd. In there you will find several stores that will take your photo for you. You are going to want 15 2x2 photos and 5 1x1. This will cost you about 100 pesos. Once you have them, always have several with you, people will want your photo for every form.

4)      While at the shopping center it will be a good idea if you buy a folder of some sort to keep all of the papers you are going to collect in order

5)      Once you have all of this you can return to Ms. Ester and she will give you a permission to study form.

6)      Take your permission to study form to the OUR (the registration / admission office). There you need to ask a student helper if you can speak with Jenn in admissions.

7)      Jenn will tell you that you need to go to your college or program to register, but that first you need to go online and update your profile and print out form 5A. She will give you your student ID number and a pass word.

8)      There are internet cafes at the shopping center as well as in near the OSA(where you found Ms. Ester). Various other building may have internet available however these two places are your best bet. Internet on campus costs around 10 pesos every 30min

9)      Once you have done this go to where Jenn told you to register and register!

10)  After you register you will be given your form 5, this is your key to life over the next week, so try not to destroy it.

11)  You will most likely be informed that you need to bring your form 5 to Jenn for assessment of how much you will pay.

12)  Once assessed you can head up to the 3^rd floor of the OUR to pay your tuition, it is cash only, they will however give you change if you do not have the exact amount.

13)  While you are in the building get in line for miscellaneous fees, there you can pay about 150 pesos for your student ID

14)  After you have the receipt for your ID go down to the second floor to the ID room to have your photo taken

15)  Now you need to go to the informatory / university health services for a series of exams. This will be free and they will tell you to come back in a few days to pick up your x-ray.

16)  At this point you need to go to a store and buy a good plastic container.

17)  Return to Health services to retrieve your x-ray and completed health form

18)  In order to receive your student visa you need to go the Bureau of quarantine and international health surveillance. It is located in metro manila next to manila hotel. On 25^th and Delgado St in the port area. The phone number is 527 4655 or 527 4654.  You need to bring a stool (poop) sample with you for your exam as well as two photos, your passport and your chest x-ray. If you do not have your chest x-ray they will take one there for 300 pesos. You can take public transit however it will be easiest to take a taxi. A taxi from the university to quarantine will cost around 180 pesos. Once you are finished they will ask you to come back in a day or two

19)  In a day or two return to quarantine to receive your results, be sure to bring your passport.

20)  Go to the photo copy center and make a copy of your results, you never know when you might need them

21)  Take your results back to Ms Ester along with your form 5

22)  Ms Ester has a friend who will process your student visa for you or you have the option of doing it yourself.  You will need to get a security clearance that takes about two weeks before your student visa will be processed and issued. Most likely this process will make your tourist visa stamp expire and you will need to apply for an extension …. All in all if Ms. Esters friend does this for you it will cost around 10,000 pesos, which you will need to pay in cash.

23)  Now that you have your student visa on the way you can take your medical results to the place you registered

Places to visit in Manila

To build off of my previous entry about getting around and interesting things to do in Manila I have several new thoughts.

Food

My new favorite restaurant in Manila is called Green. It is located in the Tomas Morato area, however it is off the main stretch and can be quite difficult to find. I have had a taxi driver know where it was but if you want to check it out (and you should) I would advise getting directions from their web page.

http://www.facebook.com/greensresto?v=app_2344061033#!/greensresto?v=wall 

Best smoothie I have found yet is a chain called Fuzion. I have seen them at SM North, GreenBelt and GreenHills. I am sure they have more locations than this.

 http://fuzionphils.com/fuzion/news_mediagallery.php

Ian and I went to I Heart Froyo the other night. It is located on Katipunan Av in Quezon City. The posted hours are 11am to 11pm, we were there around 10pm and they were open. Very good frozen yogurt I found it not too sweet more of a yogurt flavor, which i love! We got a large size with snickers and gummy bears for Peso 110. The place itself is very cute, it has a traditional Asian feeling to it, located on the second floor with a well lit stair case and fun colors on the walls.

I have also heard of these restaurants however have not had the opportunities to visit them yet, but they do look interesting.

Van Gogh is Bi-polar:  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2945016&id=78957949878&ref=album#!/pages/van-gogh-is-bipolar/78957949878

Hobbit House: http://www.hobbithousemanila.com/

Floating Garden: http://www.gatewaymall.com.ph/main07.php?id=07garden

Xoxolat: http://www.xocolat.com.ph/location.html

Paris Delice: www.parisdelice.com.ph

Transportation

If you think that it can be done by some form of public transportation it most likely can. It won’t necessarily be easy.

From Katipunan to Commonwealth

Catch a Jeep going to UP

Get off the Jeep just before it turns into the UP gate

Find a tricycle going to commonwealth, most likely quite a few people will be getting off the jeep with you who also want to get to commonwealth that you can share the tricycle with

From Manila to Cebu

Super Ferry! Hands down my #1 way to travel in the Philippines, flights and buses are cheap but so is the Super Ferry.  Get tourist class and above bring some snacks and a good book or two and enjoy relaxing, chatting, random dining hall entertainment, island viewing and sleeping from one destination to the next. I would advise that you skip getting a shave at the salon; I met a guy who got a nasty cut from that experience.
http://www.superferry.com.ph/

I have not had many new discoveries about things to do or see. I did pass by the Magnet Gallery the other day. It is a small gallery on Katipunan that would be worth looking at for any art friendly individuals. http://www.magnetgalleries.com/viewArtist.php?id=74

I also hope to check out the La Mesa Ecopark in the Fairview area sometime over the next two weeks! http://www.lamesaecopark.com/

Camping Club

Ian and I have just returned from our first Philippine Mountain Climb with a camping club named Sweepers Mountaineering Club. We both had a great time, getting to know more about the Filipino active 20 something culture that exists here ! A HUGE THANK YOU to the whole club for giving us such a warm welcome and a great hike! This club is extra ordinary due to the inactive culture that is quite prevalent in the Philippines. The obesity due to poor diet and inactivity that the US is currently struggling with is begging in India and the Philippines, I hope that more clubs like this will develop.

Our hike started long before we started hiking with e-mails. The hike leader divided out group into three groups, from there each sub group did some menu brainstorming. Ian and I chose to abstain from the brainstorm being unsure what the protocol was. Our dinner and breakfast was decided upon and all hikers were asked to bring 2 cups of rice and 1 Lt of water to contribute to meal prep.

It was up to each hiker to bring as much personal water as desired, any snacks, and trail lunch.

The next round of e-mails was in regards to sleeping arrangements. People who had tents and would share voiced there extra space, and finally a sleeping arrangement proposal was distributed.

The morning of ....

Everyone was to meet at 8am at a 7/11 downtown Manila. The 7/11 is a great place to meet plenty of space out front and snacks inside! We had no difficulty identifying the group and upon introducing ourselves we were warmly welcomed.

In Filipino time we were all gathered by 930 and walked around the corner to catch an out of town bus. The bus aid at first wanted us to all board with our bags however upon realization that we were 20+ people and bags he opened the under bus hatch and we filled up the bus.

The bus ride cost under $4USD a person and I got a nice nap during the next 2.5 hrs.

Upon arrival at our stop we headed into a restaurant to use the bathroom, get sun screened up change into any hiking gear still needed. We than thought we might as well eat lunch here instead of on the trail. Ian and I had sandwiches and hard boiled eggs everyone else had box meals with rice and meat, several people had KFC that they pulled out of their backpacks. Next time we know =)

We loaded into several tricycles and got shuttled to the trail head. Trail heads here are as difficult to spot as in the US, thankfully our hike leader had been here before and knew where it was. Upon arrival we encountered a bit of difficultly with the private land owner whose property we needed cross and he was not sure he wanted us to. During the 30 min discussion/ negotiation everyone put on arm & leg covers as well as hats and neck covers. Several people opened up umbrellas to keep the sun off their skin. I had to smile umbrellas on a hike (?)

Once our passage was secured off we went, the trail was a bit muddy, very mosquito filled and oh so hot.

After about 10min the group stopped. We were still in the flat coconut field at the base of the hill. Our group wanted to make sure that everyone had drank water and was rested. After a 5 min break we did another 10 min walk and stopped again. At this second stop the group split, those who wanted to go fast and had some hiking skills, a medium group and a back group. On our hike there were several people who had never hiked before, making this division very logical.

Ian and I joined the front group and off we went, our group started off as about 7 people however three of them decided to stay back and the four of us pushed on. It was HOT and STEEP and HUMID. Partway up the hill our group took a break and one of our group mates shared jelly snacks with us, similar to the energy jell that's common in the US. As we snacked we were able to take in the excellent view of the villages and farms below us. Feeling a bit of a sugar buzz off we went again.

It did not take long for the sugar buzz to subside and the hot humidity to begin to wear on us again. Than on the horizon I spotted an older man coming down the trial. To our extreme fortune he happened to be the head coconut collector on this hill and he had several bags of coconuts already collected and 3 boys who would happily climb up the trees and get us more. What good fortune! We told him that our whole group would want some and he lead us to where the boys were collecting. 10 Pesos (that's about 25cents in the US) got us a fresh off the tree coconut cut open and fully amazing. After drinking the coconut water the boys cut it open so we could eat the coconut jelly with a "spoon" they carved from the outside of the coconut. This was easily the highlight of my hike. The four of us in front got a great refreshing rest as the remainder of the group made it to us. We all were in great spirits talking, enjoying coconuts, and looking out at the view.

At this point we had less than 1/4 to go and off we went. The landscape changed as we neared the top tall grasslands began to surround us. Soon all I could see and hear was grasslands, truly beautiful. Upon reaching the summit a fresh cool breeze greeted us and photo opportunities were taken =)

At Camp ...
Our group took up all of the camping space at the summit, tents and clothes quickly filled the landscape. Cooking groups got out stove and begin dinner prep. As an interesting side note, open fire is completely banned in the Philippines. During dinner prep a few things note worthy occurred.

Most the group went in their tents and put on nicer cleaner clothes. Baby wipes came out and baby wipe baths. The women of the group had hair brushes and makeup that they had brought with and our group transformed from a dirty sweaty hiking and camping group to looking like TV stars.

While the transformation was in place an amazing sun set began casting a breath taking gold light on the mountain and the grasslands began to glow. The only word I can think of to describe it is magical.

Dinner was a Filipino sweet and sour dry fish, significiantly more gourmet than I would have done!

After dinner everyone attempted to fit under a common tarp for "socials". Socials are were everyone plays mind puzzles while one shot glass is passed around. I was exhausted and excused myself by 11pm. Everyone else stayed till midnight or one.

That night I slept very well, word to the wise it will get cold on top of a mountain even in the Philippines, I did not believe it but next time I think I will bring one more item of warm gear.

The next morning we had a deluxe breakfast of salted eggs and tomatoes, rice, dry fry fish and nescafe! Tents came down, stomachs got filled and pictures got taken and off we went.

The end....

Going down was was hard, the mud was slippery and filled all the grip on your shoes, everyone fell at least once, I slid a good portion on my butt. The highlight was the coconut guy was back and we all gathered to have some refreshing coconuts again!

At the end of the hike there was a shower and everyone pulled out another set of clean clothes and shower stuff. Ian and I said our goodbyes and got a jeep back to the bus stand and a bus back to Manila.

A night out in Quezon CIty

An account of a night out in Quezon City

Last night Ian and I decided to have an evening out. We started by walking over to UP Ayala where we had Sushi at the Red Kimono for dinner, neither of us eating excessively we had three delicious rolls and amazing spicy egg plant that we shared. Drinking water, because its good for you in the Philippine heat! After that we ran a few errands at UP Ayala before going into the Coffee Bean for a white chocolate blended coffee and a African tea latte.

From here we walked back to our house to drop off the things we got during our errands and than continued to walk over the the Greenhouse Grill. The place advertises live music during the week, we were there during the weekend however and did not get to experience the live music. The food looked good, your traditional set of Filipino dishes to choose from. The atmosphere was enjoyable, nothing spectacular, but enjoyable.

We than walked next door to Spaholic, to get foot massages. This place is newly opened. We both enjoyed the AC and had well done professional food massages. After the massage they served us hot tea, a nice touch. The amount charged to us was not the same as the price stated on the list and mid foot massage the space next to us filled with people who came to chat with the owners and cook food taking away from the tranquil atmosphere that the spa is working towards. Overall both of us enjoyed it, but we will try a different spa next time.

We than walked next door to the Treehouse Restaurant. I was a bit disappointed to see no sign of a real treehouse, however once I forgave this it was really enjoyable, a decent sized water garden sits on the side of the restaurant, attentive staff, good looking food, yummy home made chips, nice tables. I will be back some time for dinner! We than decided that it was time to head home, on the way we stopped in the Korean Mart where we got some wafers, chips, ginseng drink and cheese stick to eat during our at home movie watching.

We made it home happy and awake. It is really nice to be able to walk for a whole night out, it is not as taxing as using transportation. The areas that we were in for the most part had good green spaces, providing a much higher quality of air than you find in other areas of manila.

Below I have priced out our evening

Sushi (for two) 13USD
Specialty Coffee (for two) 6.50USD
Four Beers 3.25USD
Home made chips and dip1.50USD
Foot reflexology massage(for two)14.25USD
Snacks 3USD

Total: 41.50USD

Using a 45:1 peso to USD exchange rate



Here are the web links the places that we went

Greenhouse Grill
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quezon-City/GREENHOUSE-Grill/201284991920

UP Ayala
http://upayalalandtechnohub.blogspot.com/

Treehouse Restaurant
http://www.mytravelguide.com/restaurants/profile-79604905-Philippines_Manila_Treehouse.html