The pandemic has provided us with an opportunity to explore new activities, and many families have been spending more time on house beautification and urban gardening. List of Contents I. Three important things to know for beginners who want to plant cacti at home II. How to produce a cactus? One popular choice for house decoration is the beautiful and spiny cactus. Growing and caring for these succulent plants can be a rewarding experience. The name "cactus" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "Kaktos," which means "spiny plant." Cacti are adapted to survive in dry environments like deserts, as they have water storage in their stalks, bodies, and roots. Here are three important things to know for beginners who want to plant cacti at home: Choose or create the best garden soil: Cacti thrive in fertile soil, particularly sandy loam or sandy clay loam with organic matter. The soil should have good drainage and not retain too muc...

GRACE ANN BUELA | THE AUTHOR TULA PARA SA KRISTIYANO Lumipas na ang tag-araw Bawat isa ay giniginaw Unti-unting humina ang sigaw Pagkat kahinaan ang siyang nangingibabaw Masdan mo ang bawat isa Nakayuko at balisa Mga labi ay di maibuka Maging ang mukha ay di maipinta Ngayon ay araw ng pagsamba Ngunit bakit puso ay puno ng galit at pangamba? Lahat tayo nanibago Binabalot nang lungkot at pagkabigo Pagkakaisa ay naglaho Daang matuwid ay tila lumiliko Masdan mo ang paligid Tila may kaniya-kaniyang silid Ang dating pantay bakit ngayo'y nakatagilid? Nasaan na ang pagkakaisa? Nalimot na ba dahil sa problema? Tayo'y isang pamilya Pinagbuklod ng isang pananampalataya 'Wag nating hayaang masira ang haligi Dahil lamang sa pagkakampi kampi Pagkakabahagi ay ating iwaksi Upang ang pag-ibig ay laging manatili Sana'y matuto kang makiramdam Hindi laging ikaw lang ang may dinaramdam Matuto parin sana tayong rumispeto Sa kabila ng problema at mga isyu Lahat tayo may pagkakasala ...

BY GRACE ANN BUELA | THE AUTHOR BAGONG PAG-ASA Isinulat ni Grace Ann Buela Sa kalagitnaan ng ulan at bagyo Dumating kang dala ang panyo Pinunasan ang mga matang namumugto Muling binuo ang wasak na puso. Pinayungan mo ako ng iyong pag-ibig Hinatid patungo sa bagong pag-ibig Di ka nawala sa gabing madilim At sa tuwing maulan, ikaw ang siyang lilim. Sumikat na ang araw Kinabukasan ay aking natatanaw Malayo sa anino ng nakaraan Malayo sa sakit at kalungkutan Handa na ako sa bagong ngayon Ang makasama ka sa lahat ng hamon. Di man magiging madali Ang mga araw at tanghali Pilit akong lalaban Pagkat ikaw Hesus ang aking tanggulan Simula ngayon at magpakailanman.

T he DA-Bureau of Animal industry (BAI) on their facebook page reminds the public to do not patronizing animal breeders, traders and those online sellers without Animal Welfare Certificate of Registration, this is due to the numerous complaints they have been received from the people who bought animals online. Which the animals have had serious health conditions differ from the heathy animals appeared online. The actual photo of the letter's header | DA-BAI facebook page On the letter signed by the BAI's Director, Bureau of Animal Industry gives some smart tips to all pet buyers out there. They highly recommend to buy from the reputable pet breeders or pet shops with Certificate of Registration from BAI; do a research; check if the pet is healthy, vaccinated and have an updated deworming record as signed and certified by a licensed Veterinarian; and the buyer shall demand for a written sale agreement to the seller.  Always think and do a research before we click to...

The Department of Agriculture, on behalf of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, has announced its newest loan program called Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA), which was launched on January 24, 2020, at Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU). This program aims to provide financing for the capital needs of proposed projects by young entrepreneurs and agri-fisheries graduates. It specifically targets millennials and encourages their engagement in agricultural business, particularly young entrepreneurs, agriculturists, and agri-fisheries graduates. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture - ACPC officially launched its first digitalized financing program in collaboration with PayMaya Philippines, Inc. on July 6, 2020. With the KAYA CASH CARD powered by PayMaya, approved loan capitals will be swiftly credited to the proponents' accounts. Borrowers can access loans of up to 500,000 pesos with zero-interest and no collateral, which can ...

BY GRACE ANN BUELA | THE AUTHOR Isinulat ni Grace Ann Buela Isang bughaw na ibon Lumilipad kasabay ng pagpagaspas ng mga dahon Tila umaawit kasabay ng mga alon Sa gitna ng maganda at payapang panahon Kasabay ng takip-silim Kalangitan ay nagdilim Bumagyo at lumakas ang hangin Hanggang siya ay tangayin Isang ilog ang naghihintay Sa ibong bughaw na tila isang lantang gulay Bago pa man mahulog at masaktan Isang sanga ang nakapitan Buhay at ligtas Mula sa kahirapang dinanas Titila din ang ulan Ang tag-araw ay muling masisilayan Ang pagbangon ay masasaksihan Ang ibon, tulad ng alitaptap Muling lilipad sa alapaap Dala ang pag-asa at mga pangarap. Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through Him who strengthens me.

There are different types of abnormal or unusual eggs that poultry raisers may come across. Some of these abnormalities include eggs with no shell, soft shells, thin egg shells, double yolks, no yolks, abnormal color pigmentation, eggs within eggs, lash eggs, and many more. Each abnormality has its own reasons and causes for forming. In our case, we have one chicken named Kaber that consistently lays eggs with rough and thin egg shells. As for the egg shown in the picture, it was laid by another hen, and we cannot determine the specific abnormality of its shape. (A) Oddly shaped egg (B) Normal egg The main reasons for the formation of oddly shaped eggs, as well as soft and thin eggs, are stress and a lack of calcium in the hen's diet. When hens are under stress, the secretions from the shell gland cells become acidic, which can lead to cell damage or destruction, resulting in misshapen eggs that may not be fully formed. During the egg formation process in the shell gland, whic...

A Blind Snake (Indotyphlops braminus) commonly known as Brahminy Blind Snake is often mistaken for earthworm because of this habit, appearance and size. According to Wikipedia, the adult measure 2-6 inches long, making it the smallest snake creation. This snake is known as nonvenomous snake creation which mean it's harmless to human. If you will see them in your house don't be scared, they are mostly stayed in the area of our house with slightly cool temperature.  I found this blind snake under the ground nearby our house Blind snakes mostly like as earthworms they are burrowing animals too. They consumed termites, ants, and other soft-bodied arthropods which all found in their habitat (the soil). This kind of small animals could help to control the population of other living organisms under the soil. Which they serves as the predator of small insects and arthropods under the soil habitat. sources:    • https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indotyphlops_braminus...

Young pigs require iron to help protect their bodies against potential illnesses. Pigs are born with approximately 40-50mg of iron reserves in their bodies, which can last for only four days. Therefore, supplemental iron should be given to young pigs as early as possible, preferably on their 3rd day after birth. An injection of 100mg/1ml of iron content should be administered to support their iron needs and prevent anemia, which can occur after 10-15 days. To improve the survival rate, another dose of iron should be given to the young pig on its 10th or 14th day after birth. A deficiency of iron, an essential mineral for piglets, can lead to anemia (a low level of hemoglobin in the red blood cells). Anemia can result in difficulty breathing for animals due to reduced oxygen transportation in the body, making the animal more susceptible to diseases. Here is the proper way to inject iron into piglets: Prepare a bottle of iron, a syringe, cotton, and alcohol. Fill the syringe with 1ml ...

A TI Bicol had distributed starter kits to more than one hundred Indigenous People (IPs) of the Agta Tribe at Ocampo, Camarines Sur in their support to the Department of Agriculture Plant, Plant, Plant Program. Department of Agriculture will never stop by the Virus (COVID-19) to help communities who need their support.  ATI Bicol at Ocampo, Camarines Sur | ATI BICOL Facebook page "(In) coordinated by CARE-CD, an NGO, and the Center shall also improve the barangay communal garden in partnership with Barangay Chairman Eric Nape of Villaflorida, Ocampo, Camarines Sur." - ATI Bicol FB page

T he DA-Bureau of Plant Industry makes close door service to all individuals or groups who have interest for planting. An easy way to request free seeds has been launched online using a Google Form. This is the newly strategy of DA-BPI to ensure the food sustainability and food security in every household during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Photo by Bureau of Plant Industry | Facebook Page DA chief said “Home gardening is a productive family activity during this quarantine period" The parent of every household must teach their children with new skills for them to learn an additional knowledge and ideas, especially in farming. This project of Department of Agriculture (DA) will serves as starter kit to start Urban Gardening. This form provided by DA-BPI is for individuals/households only. If you have an organization or you are one of this member you could sent them a request via email. Send a letter of request indicating relevant information; list of beneficiarie...

Chicken eggs need to be incubated at a temperature of 37 - 39 degrees Celsius, either through natural incubation or using an incubator. After 19 to 21 days of brooding, the first crack may become visible on the egg's surface. However, it is important not to assist the chick in breaking out of the shell at this point, as it can have severe impacts on the chick's health, especially if the eggshell cracks on the 19th day of incubation. The chicks should fully consume their food inside the shell. The yolk serves as a nutritive material during the embryonic period, while the albumen (egg white) provides protein for cell development. Both of these play an essential role in the embryo's development. What part does the chick use for pipping?  The Chick's Egg tooth, which is lost soon after hatching, is responsible for pipping. An egg tooth is a small, elongated bone above the upper mandible. The chick's neck muscle, called the pipping muscle, helps it reach the egg surf...

T he Department of Agriculture providing free seeds and seedlings for every Filipino to promote "grow your own foods" and "Urban Gardening" as a key to support in our daily needs amidst COVID-19 Crisis. We can help government and our family by planting veggies in our backyard. 🤔 For me, para lahat magkaroon ng seeds sa bawat tahanan. Why they can not try to add seeds in the "Relief pack" ? 🤔 What do you think mga Ka-Farmers? Contact BPI: bpi.crpsd.planning@gmail.com (02) 8525-7313/(02) 8524-0837 Bicol: DA-ATI, Diversion Road, San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur. Sources: ati.da.gov.ph / bpi.da.gov.ph

Carrots are root vegetables that can be regrown from the carrot tops or tops with about one inch of the carrot itself. Instead of discarding the carrot tops, they can be used to sprout new leaves and grow new carrot greens. To regrow carrots from the tops, follow these steps: Cut off the carrot tops, leaving about an inch of the carrot attached. Place the carrot tops in a shallow dish or container with water, ensuring that the cut end is submerged. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh. After a week or two, you should start to see new leaves sprouting from the tops. Once the new leaves have grown, you can transplant the carrot tops into a pot or garden bed with well-draining soil. Carrots are not only delicious but also rich in various vitamins and minerals, particularly beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body and is essential for good vision, immune function, and overall health. So, regrowing carrots not only allows you to enjoy their...