Despite the threat of an uncooperative weather, thousands of farming enthusiasts of practically all ages (there are young boys and girls brought by their parents) trooped last Thursday to the World Trade Center Metro Manila to attend the 2009 edition of Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink extravaganza. You still have your last chance to visit Agrilink Saturday.

The three-day annual trade show has really become the most anticipated trade expo in each field. One very heartening sight on opening day was an old lady in a wheelchair doing the rounds in the outdoor exhibit area. We saw her lingering for a long time at the Sunshine Chicken booth, no doubt consulting its resident veterinarian, Dr. Rey Itchon, on how to take care free-range chickens. (By the way, his advice on the subject is featured in our column in Panorama magazine Sunday.)

Another interesting fellow we met on opening day was Alan Dimson of Mabalacat, Pampanga. He is a new convert in organic farming and told us about a new use of vermi tea. He said it is effective in removing the foul odor in dog manure. He is an avid user of the vermi tea brewer invented by our pilot friend, Capt. James Fos Reamon.

Among the interesting items displayed at the AANI booth are the mushroom fruiting bags which are full of ready to harvest mushrooms. We are told that the fruiting bags can remain productive for as long as eight months because each bag is filled with a lot of mycellium. Fruiting bags from other sources are usually productive for only a few weeks because they are not filled with enough mycellium. By the way, Teddy Laurie who made the fruiting bags will conduct a seminar on mushroom production at the AANI Urban Farm in Antipolo City on October 24.

We also met Neo Abalos who is concentrating his effort in slaughtering top quality Boer goats for a special market. The Boer goats he slaughters should not be older than one year so that they have tender meat. He supplies his chevon cuts to selected restaurants at R400 per kilo.

Weng Bienes of Allied Botanical Corporation tells us about the peatmoss from Germany which ABC is distributing. It is becoming a favorite of vegetable growers for germinating their vegetable seeds. The growing medium is sterilized and fertilizer is already incorporated.

There are so many interesting products, technologies and ideas that could be picked up by people who would only take the time in going around the exhibit booths. Inputs in organic farming are plentiful. There are also wonderful small machines of Harbest Agribusiness which could make land preparation for vegetable farming much easier. So don’t make the mistake of not attending this year’s Agrilink. See you there.