Guide to Growing Organic Mango

The growing domestic and export market demands for organically grown fruits and vegetables compel us to learn to grow ORGANIC MANGO using the Natural Farming System. This is a simple and basic study to help mango growers produce naturally grown mango free from toxic chemical residue, using both herbal organic fertilizers and concentrates with biotechnology and integrated pest management.

Let us recall that in the 1950s and earlier, before Dr. Ramon Barba discovered Potassium nitrate in 1970, as a good mango flower inducers; mangoes in the Philippines were not sprayed and cared the way we do today. They were producing good quality fruits, growing naturally. Read more

FAQ’s on Mango Production

Which microclimate in Mindanao is suited for mango production?

Mindanao is ideal for mango production primarily because many areas there are spared from typhoons, which is the single most important constraint in year-round mango production. The Mindanao area can be classified as the best producing area in the country in terms of  yield but in terms of quality, the best areas are those produced during dry season.

Does soil have an effect on quality of the fruit (example, taste)?

Soil has an effect on the quality of the fruit. In order to ensure acceptable fruit quality, there  must be proper balance of the essential nutrients. Correct fertilization practices, should  therefore, be followed.
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Growing Bell Pepper (High Value Crop)

Growing Bell Peppers is best in hot weather, full sun, and moist well drained soil. Bell Peppers are native to semi-tropical regions and and in frost free and low frost areas it can be grown as a small perennial shrub.

Bell Peppers are a fantastic source of vitamin C. Green Bell Peppers has two times the vitamin C by weight than citrus (oranges, lemons etc.) and Red Bell Peppers have three times that of Bell Peppers.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L) is grown widely under rainfed conditions. High yields are obtained in areas with a total rainfall of 600 to 1250 mm, which is well distributed over the growing season. In Ilocos Norte alone, the total area planted to pepper in 1999 was 373.16 ha. Read more

Growing Tomatoes (High Value Vegetable)

Tomatoes have an annual average growth rate of 2.33% in the Philippines for the period of 1998 to 2002. Major producers of tomato in the Philippines include Pangasinan (22.811.40 tons, average for 1998-2002), Bukidnon (17,297.20 tons), Ilocos Norte (14,489.40 tons), Iloilo (10,476.80 tons), Ilocos Sur (10,001.20 tons) and Nueva Ecija (7,900 tons).

Tomatoes are considered as a hot weather crop. Tomatoes like heat and humidity. Tomatoes need light, fertile soil with a lot of organic matter. Too much nitrogen can reduce tomato yields.

Make sure that the soil is loose and at least 12″ in depth. Tomatoes are heavy feeders so mix in compost or chopped leaves to enrich the soil. Tomatoes do well in soils with a pH of 5.8 to 7. Tomatoes need high amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Read more

Growing Carrots (High Value Vegetable)

Carrots are relatively tolerant of a wide variety of temperatures but prefer cooler growing conditions. Carrots are hardy and can be planted as soon as the soil can be prepared.

Growing Carrots

Carrots require relatively large amounts of moisture and are not tolerant of drought. Prolonged hot weather in the later stages of development may not only retard carrot growth but may result in an undesirable strong flavor and coarseness in the roots. The ideal air temperature for carrots is between 6o°F-70°F.
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Growing Asparagus (High Value Vegetable)

Vegetable growing in the Philippines is seasonal. Subsequently, profits from the vegetable industry can also be unstable. Availability of vegetables in the market varies throughout the year. Thus, vegetable prices also vary accordingly. Price of vegetable with high supply is low, and price of vegetables with low supply is high.

However, high-value vegetables maintain their price through out the year with the only exception of the event that the vegetable is in excessive supply in the market. These high-value vegetables include asparagus, lettuce,  cauliflower, sweet peas, celery and broccoli.
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