Metamorphosis
The difficulties experienced helped the company to have greater understanding of this technology. From trainees, 3 of the incorporators have evolved to become trainors in this field.
While operating a small vermicomposting plant and developing organic farm, trainings were offered to interested participants. This is to intensify public awareness on the use of environment-friendly technology such as vermicomposting. It has trained individuals, employees of industrial plants and government institutions, students, farmers, retirees and enthusiasts. The technology has been shared to typhoon victims as part of the rehabilitation activity.
Linkages
The Company maintains its linkage with vermicomposting advocates and practitioners in Negros Occidental where the incorporators had their first exposure on this technology.
It has established partnership with a Japanese non-governmental organization - Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) International, in the implementation of a municipal-wide biodegradable waste management project using vermicomposting technology. Another 2.5 hectare farm at the base camp of Mount Banahaw was chosen as application area. Various combinations of raw materials were prepared in the production of vermicompost. These were submitted for analysis. The efficacy was tested on different types of plants. The project of OISCA ended in September of 2007. The Company decided to continue what was started. The organic farm project was supported by the owner of the land. The farm is being prepared for organic certification.
It has also helped Southern Luzon Polytechnic College (now Southern Luzon State University) students in conducting thesis on vermicomposting. Another project tried by the Company is the use of the African nightcrawler worms as feeds for livestock. A student from the University of the Philippines has tried feeding this kind of worm for his Sasso chicken. Another study on vermi meal production as feeds for quail was conducted by a veterinary medicine student from De la Salle Araneta University to determine its response on quail’s egg production. Both studies reported encouraging results.
Production of 4 varieties of lettuce in partnership with a practitioner on organic gardening proved to be successful. An on-going activity is the production of oriental vegetables.
Recent Developments
Two of the incorporators were invited to share the vermicomposting technology in Southwest China. During the first visit on second quarter of 2007, the Company saw an opportunity to venture in the large scale production of organic grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts in Southwest China. A feasibility study was done on the second visit, i.e. the last quarter of the year. Participation in the Canton Trade Fair (on-going when we arrived in Guanzhou) also provided us with valuable information on flourishing businesses in China. The generous assistance of local government officials and other contacts allowed us to look at the industry objectively. The results of the study showed that the project was not feasible. Another study was conducted on a different site. The proposed organic farm was the centerpiece of an ecotourism site support facility. This was more feasible but the implementation this 2008 was deferred due to man-made and natural calamities.
While waiting for the project to be implemented in Southwest China, one of CGSI’s incorporators joined a farmer’s association which was organized by the Office of the Municipal Agriculture of Lucban, Quezon. CGSI, through him, became a beneficiary of a joint venture on pickling cucumber and passion fruit production. Both of these products are bought by an industrial plant in Laguna. Regular meetings among members, seminars, trainings and cross visits to farm lands which have become successful in vegetable production allowed the farmers to grow in knowledge on improved farming technologies. This August, a non-formal farmer’s schooling was offered and this is sponsored by the Offices of the Municipal and Provincial Agriculture, University of the Philippines-Los Banos, Philrice and Department of Labor and Employment. The training is expected to be completed in 14 weeks.
