Just this weekend, I met Dr. Khin Mar Cho, Director at Cornell University in New York City for a farm visit and weekend getaway at the Binahon Agroforestry Farm (BAFF) in Lantapan, Bukidnon and EMV Farm in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Banana chips are crisp slices of the cardava banana variety which are usually eaten as a snack. Most banana chips are thinly sliced in bite-size servings and deep fried while some are baked and others dehydrated via drying or dehydrator machines.

Deep frying the bananas will make it crisp and crunchy. When the deep fried banana slices are drained and are in room temperature, one can eat them right away. Others enjoy banana chips by quickly dipping the fried chips in sweet syrup or dusted with flavored powders and seasonings.

I always have the notion that Urban Agriculture here in the Philippines is just a cliche. While it may exist, it is usually confined in the really urban cities like Makati and that the agri part is more for tourism and aesthetics. That it is done not for food security but rather because it is the "in" thing. The notion also came from the fact that very few in the subdivisions in Cagayan de Oro where I presently reside have really gardens in their backyard. A house may have 1 Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) or a few plants of okra (lady fingers) or green leaf onions or even tomatoes.

Good food reinforces good times.

The Municipality of Manolo Fortich through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) recently celebrated the 3rd FBS Anniversary Celebration which further cemented Bukidnon with its title as “Food Basket in Mindanao”. The already established Manolo Fortich Farm Business School Foods and Agri-product Processors Association, Inc. (MFFBSFAPPA, Inc.) is an offshoot of the two batches of trainings on Farm Business School conducted by ATI-RTC X in November 2015.

Champorado is a rice porridge variation which uses unadulterated chocolate known as tableya. I like having champorado for breakfast, I grew up pairing it with buwad (dried fish) or buwad bolinao (anchovies). I know a lot of people like that odd sweet-salty combination teasing the taste buds but nevertheless palatable.

Mounting the 1st Info Caravan on Coffee in Maramag, Bukidnon was heaven on earth---at least for most coffee lovers and drinkers attending the event.

The wonders of coffee were discussed through coffee tasting (and testing) and also explored as a beauty soap ingredient. As partner during the event, Kape Maramag (the Rural Improvement Club and the product itself) was the star of the moment. A slew of coffee brands have popped up here and there to invade pantries and kitchen shelves, but for starters, Kape Maramag should be given a try.