In the case of Stevenson Ang who operates a one-hectare farm in Silang, Cavite, he sees to it that the variety he plants is something very outstanding and one that nobody else is producing in commercial scale. yet He has been very satisfied, for instance, in his production of a hybrid melon from a Japanese seed company. This hybrid melon has greenish flesh that is fine-textured and very sweet.

In his latest crop which he just harvested a few days ago, he was able to produce about 2.5 tons from his 1,500 plants grown inside his greenhouse. Because of the good eating quality of his fruits, he was able to sell them to upscale markets in Metro Manila at an average of R80 per kilo.

Producing his hybrid melons during the off-season is another strategy of Ang in his farming operation. His most recent crop was planted in late October and was harvested 90 days later. Ang confides that he didn’t exactly hit the jackpot but the profit margin was good enough.

He usually plants his melons after his crops of tomatoes and bell pepper. Melon is one good crop to grow because it has a growing market in Manila. The upscale markets are always looking for high quality produce.

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AANI SEMINARS THIS SATURDAY. You can learn how to make charcoal briquettes if you attend the seminar that will be conducted by Ramon Tan at the AANI Seminar Center, FTI Complex in Taguig City, next Saturday, January 28, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Briquettes are an economical fuel for cooking. These can be made from coconut shell charcoal.

Another seminar on the same day, from 1 to 5 p.m. will be on the production of tissue-cultured lakatan to be conducted by Olivia Damasco of UP Los Baños.

Tissue-cultured lakatan planting materials are disease-free and are very fast growing. Plants will start flowering as early as 8 months from planting.

Those interested to attend one or both seminars may contact tel. 645-3605 or 839-1772 for more information.

Meanwhile, other livelihood seminars are slated at AANI. On February 4, Gil Carandang will discuss mushroom production while Lina Villegas will tackle vermicomposting and organic farming.

On February 11, Betty Guia will conduct a seminar on quail raising while Dr. Mariano Blanca will conduct a seminar on swine production.

On Fegruary 18, Dick Pamplona will discuss duck raising while Pol Rubia will discuss crab culture. On February 25, there will be a seminar on hydroponics that will include a farm tour.

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FOOD EXPO AT SM MEGAMALL. Over 200 local food processors and manufacturers are taking part in the Food Expo which started yesterday and will run through January 29 (Sunday) at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. It is organized by the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (Philfoodeex) headed by Roberto Amores.

Seminars of interest to entrepreneurs are an important feature of the event. These include a mango forum; new business trends; environmental compliance; events marketing (how to choose shows/events for your products); business on the web; updates on food safety; supplying food to supermarkets; updates on BFAD requirements; and the Mindanao investment forum.

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PCAMRD ANNIVERSARY. The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development will observe its 18th founding anniversary on January 30- 31 at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. One feature will be the "First Aquatic Technology Competition and Marketplace (ATCOM) to be held at the Aquamart. Another event will be the Philippine fisheries forum on January 30.

On January 31, the program will highlight the executive director’s report and giving of awards.