The May issue features Wu Yulien, a Taiwanese who is growing jumbo and other varieties of watermelon on 250 hectares of rented land in Brgy. Pando, Concepcion, Tarlac. It is quite amazing how one man can manage 250 hectares of watermelon with the help of some 85 workers.

The fact is that he has been growing watermelons in the Philippines for the last 18 years, virtually throughout the year. He grows watermelons in Tarlac, a part of Hacienda Luisita, during the dry months of January to May. During the wet months, he grows his crop on 130 hectares in Magalang, Pampanga and in Clark.

One of his favorites is the Factor variety from Known-You Seed of Taiwan. This is a variety that produces huge fruits, usually 15 to 20 kilos. In Taiwan, the same variety could produce 30-kilo fruits. The fruits are exported to Taiwan. During last few weeks, Wu has been exporting six 40-foot-container loads every week. Each container contains about 24 tons so he exports some 144 tons weekly. The going price during our interview was the equivalent of P23 per kilo.

The farm also grows several other varieties of watermelon, including the well known Dragon from Known-You Seed distributed locally by Harbest Agribusiness.

By the way, Harbest Agribusiness headed by Toto Barcelona will display and sell different varieties of watermelon and melons at the Agri-Kapihan which will be held tomorrow at the courtyard of radio station DWWW, No. 23 E. Rodriguez Sr. Blvd., Quezon City. This is near the corner of E. Rodriguez and D. Tuazon.

Many other stories are featured in the May issue. These include how an ordinary farmer, Felipe Heli of Sariaya, Quezon, was empowered by the program on high-value vegetable production initiated by Congressman Proceso J. Alcala. The program is one way of providing the farmers with profitable projects so they don’t have to join the insurgency which is rampant in Quezon province.

Sosimo Pablico writes about the impact of the Palayamanan project in Mindanao.The project has been improving farm productivity and securing household food, especially for the impoverished farmers. The diversification of products on the farm has been adding income to the pockets of farmers. Mungbean and peanut are just two crops that have contributed to the increase in the incomes of farmers in Mindanao.

From the Cordillera is a story on how Arabica coffee is being promoted in the place. There are many other stories from different parts of the country. So don’t fail to get a copy of the magazine’s May issue.