Franchising Fruit Magic

Fruit Magic Co., Inc. is currently enjoying its popularity as the leading source of the freshest fruit juices and concoctions in the country. However, many still wonder how this store that gave us that bud-tickling smoothies, refreshing shakes and nutritious juices come about? Was it really magic?

It was in 1993 when the Hernandez and Escalona families, with the advice of their friends from the medical field, shifted to healthy living. This includes an all-natural healthy diet, free from preservatives and chemicals. It was almost impossible since only colas and artificial juice drinks flooded every restaurant and food stores. The real goodness of fresh drinks was nowhere to be found. To solve this problem and to make it available to others with the same need, the two families created a store that we now know as Fruit Magic!

Fruit Magic instantly became a hit by simply offering a healthy alternative to softdrinks and other artificially made beverages. News hit the mall circuit and two additional stores followed - The Glorietta and Landmark branches. In 1999, Dr. Alan Escalona, a doctor within the family and a businessman by profession took Fruit Magic into higher ground, changing the simple fruit juicing service to a mainstream fresh fruit juice brand. It was a success. Fruit Magic is now enjoying its 11 fruitful years in the country. True to its slogan, "We only juice Fresh"; Fruit Magic guarantees only the freshest and the best fruit juices and concoctions in the land. Soon, you can be assured that there will be more Fruit Magic stores and a lot of fun fruit combinations to choose from!

At this point, Fruit Magic Co., Inc. is proud to say that we were able expanded the business and establish commanding presence and dominance in the industry with around 29 stores that are strategically located and operating within and outside Metro Manila. Before the end of November of this year, the very first Fruit Magic store in the Visayas will rise and eventually expands in the neighboring cities and provinces, catering and reaching out to the growing number of health conscious market in the region.

Indeed our success was no magic! It all began with fresh ideas dash with integrity, dedication and hardwork. All pure, all fresh. Just like our products.

Branches: 29
Areas open for franchise: Call
Franchise Fee: Call
Contact: Tel.: (632) 364-6927, 364-3621
Tele Fax: (632) 364-2934 email: contact@fruitmagic.com.phThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.fruitmagic.com.ph

Tips in growing Pummelo

In growing pummelo for commercial purposes, there are many factors to look at in order to become successful and earn a profit. Zac B. Sarian, the editor of Agriculture magazine shares these pointers on how to grow pummelo for business.

Right Variety

Most important consideration is to plant only superior varieties of pummelo. There are many strains of selections but only a few are recommended for commercial production. Some are very sour. Others have acrid taste. There are also varieties whose flesh does not readily separate from its cover. The desirable varieties have sweet and juicy fruits, seedless or with few seed, and whose flesh is easy to extract. Magallanes and Nenita are the most popular commercial varieties. Plant only grafted or budded planting materials.

Soil Requirement

Plant pummelo in the open sun. The best soil is one that is rich in organic matter and well drained. It could also be grown in not-so-rich soil but the planting hole should be around two feet in diameter, two feet deep and filled with topsoil and compost or old animal manure. If the land is flat, drainage canals should be provided.

Care of Young Trees

At planting time, 200 grams of complete fertilizers or ammonium phosphate should be placed in the planting hole. Keep down weeds around the young plants, especially the vines that could smother them. Mulch them with rice straw or some other materials to keep down the weeds as well as to conserve moisture. Watch out also for leaf-eating insects. They particularly love to eat the young leaves. Control them by spraying insecticide.

Care of Fruiting Trees

Keep young fruit trees well nourished. One sack (50 kilos) of old chicken manure or some other organic fertilizer could be spread under the canopy every six month. In general, two to three kilos of chemical fertilizers per tree may be applied three to four times a year. The fertilizer should be balanced. Don't apply too much nitrogen, especially at fruiting time because the fruits will develop very thick skin and the eating will not be good.
Flowering could be induces by stressing the trees for a month by not watering them. After stressing, irrigate the trees copiously. That will be followed by the emergence of flowers. From then on, maintain adequate moisture in the soil. If moisture is lacking, the fruitless will fall. The fruits that don't fall will be small and of inferior quality. Lack of soil moisture in the ripening stage will make dry flesh. Not juicy at all.

Pruning

Remove the diseased and weak branches. Also thin out the excess fruits so bigger fruits will develop. There are instances when fruits come in clusters. Remove the smaller ones. Because the fruits are heavy, the branches may break due to the weight of the fruits. To avoid breakage of branches, they should be properly propped with bamboo poles or some other materials.

Serious Pests

There are two serious pests of pummelo. These are rind borer and fruitfly. Rind borer makes the fruits ugly because it causes lumps on the rind. On the other hand, the fruitfly deposits its eggs on the fruits and when the eggs hatch, the fruits will get damaged. Damage could be total. Control of these pests could be made by regular sprayings with chemical pesticides. Besides chemical sprays, the fruitfly could be eliminated with the use of a fruitfly trap with pheromone lure. This may not totally eliminate the fruitfly population, though.
There may come a time when fruitfly and the rind borer become resistant to chemical sprays. Some people resort to organic practices of farming. One such fellow is Greg Tan of Davao City. You can read how he grows pummelo organically in the January 2008 issue of Agriculture magazine published by the Manila Bulletin and written by Dr. Pablo P. Pamplona.

Common Disease Problem

Gummosis is a common occurrence in pummelo trees that are now well cared for. This could be a sign of inadequate fertilization. When this occurs, scrape the gum that have oozed from the trunk and branches then paint the same with a paste of fungicide. At the same time, fertilize the tree with organic as well as complete chemical fertilizer. Also, maintain adequate moisture in the soil.

Harvesting

The fruits are usually harvestable about eight months from fruit set. The rind becomes light green. Do some sample harvesting to see if the fruits are already ready for picking. In commercial farms, the harvested fruits are washed to remove the dirty or sooty marks on the fruits. A small amount of fungicide is mixed with the water to prevent fungal growth. After washing, the fruits are wiped dry with soft cloth or air-dried under the shade. Then they are packed for the market.

Source: Zac B. Sarian, Agriculture magazine

3rd International Exposition on Foodservice, Catering Systems, Specialty Foods, Beverages & Wines, Food Franchising, Supplies, Equipment & Technology

Small Businesses targeting trade buyers and customers would be interested in visiting and perhaps joining exhibits related to their respective industries. In March 4 to 6 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City the Trade Advertising Exhibitions & Conventions International, Inc. (Tradecon, Inc) will stage its 3rd Philippine International Food and Beverage Expo (PIFBEX 2010) .

Tradecon, Inc. president Mildred Caballero said the three-day event will bring together food and beverage industry players and professionals from all over the Philippine and the world to interact, transact and explore limited business opportunities among themselves.

“The expo will feature programs and activities that offer a timely opportunity to create consumer awareness on new developments on food and beverages and directly promote them in the market and among shoppers, inspired food buyers and enthusiasts,” Caballero said.

PIFBEX 2010 targets over 18,000 trade buyers and guests who are expected to the fair that will showcase everything on food and beverages, as well as food franchising and business systems.

It also aims to open the gateway to further trade expansion and reach by offering innovative business opportunities to decision-makers and new potential customers on the latest machinery, equipment and technology related to food processing, handling and packaging.

EXHIBIT PROFILE

• FOOD PRODUCTS

Confectionary / Canned Food / Processed Food / Milk and butter products/ Instant products Natural Food / Herb/Herbal Products / Vegetable, root, fruit of dried and fresh / Vegetable Oil Sugar / Food Ingredients, Food Additives, derivative products / Fresh & Raw Aquatic products Frozen Aquatic Products; Catfish, fish, crab, shrimp, cuttlefish / Processed aquatic product: Salted fish, steamboar, aquatic products cake,

• BEVERAGE PRODUCTS

Tea, Coffee / Liquors {Spirits liquor, wine, cocktails champagne, rum,...) / Beer (bottle, keg, fresh beer) / Non-alcohol drinking water / Gas & Non-gas of soft drink / Mineral & pure water / Fibre, vitamin, nutrition, fruit water,

• DIET/ HEALTH FOODS

Virgin Coconut Oil/ Dietary Supplements / Diabetic Products / Ginseng & Ginseng Products / Health Supplements & Vitamins / Herbal Jelly / Natural Health Foods / Organic Foods / Traditional Health Foods & Supplements,

• PROCESSING MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Assorted Food & Beverage Processing Equipment / Drink, Juice Processing / Equipment / Food Sterilizing Machinery & Equipment / Bakery & Confectionery Equipment / Agricultural Product Processing / Fruit & Vegetable Processing, Bakery System / Flour Mill / Cleaning, Sanitary Systems & Equipment,

• TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT

Flavor, Pulp & Paste Making Machinery, Equipment / Pasteurizing Equipment / Freezing & Cold Storage / Food Canning & Bottling Equipment / Refrigeration Systems, Compartment / Food Dryers, Food Equipment & Supplies / Cleaning, Washing Equipment / Forming, Feeding & Filling Machinery / Display Shelf / Cabinets, Tables, Other Related Machinery,

• RESTAURANT, HOTEL & CATERING EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES & SERVICES
Bar & Coffee Equipment & Supplies / Foodservice Equipment / Vending & Dispensing Equipment / Laundry Equipment / Refrigeration Equipment / Storage Systems / Cleaning Equipment & Supplies,

• TRADE FRANCHISE, CONSULTANCY, SPECIALIST SKILL TRAINING PROGRAM OF FOOD & DRINK PROCESSING AND PRESERVING

VISITOR’S PROFILE

* Retailer / Department Stores / Malls
* Drink Importer / Distributor / Wholesaler
* Food Importer / Distributor / Wholesaler
* Fast Food Restaurant / Hotel
* Food Services Government / Military, School Hospital
* Food Service Industrials / Offshore
* Food Service Consultants
* Bakery / Confectionery Manufacturers
* Restaurants / Bar/ Club/ Café
* Fast Food Restaurants / Supermarket / Grocery Stores / Convenient Stores
* Food Manufacturer / Producer / Supplier/Custom Processing; Packaging; Bottles; Chemicals / Plastics, Recycling Machinery & Equipment; Hardware
* Tools / Molds; Bags / Wraps & Linens; Houseware / Food Consultants, Chemists, Food Expert

For inquiries and updates on PIFBEX 2010, please call 482-5318, 395-5009 or e-mail tradecon.inc@gmail.com

Source and photo courtesy of www.pifbex.com

Farmer's guide to companion planting

By Henrylito D. Tacio

EVER heard of companion planting? It is based around the idea that certain plants can benefit others when planted next to, or close to one another. It exists to benefit certain plants by giving them pest control, naturally without the need to use chemicals, and in some cases they can give a higher crop yield.

Companion planting, considered to be a form of polyculture, is used by farmers and gardeners in both industrialized and developing countries for many reasons.

Researchers have proven that by having a beneficial crop in a nearby field that attracts certain insects away from a neighboring field that has the main crop can prove very beneficial.


Companion planting exists in a physical way. For example, tall-growing, sun-loving plants may share space with lower-growing, shade-tolerant species, resulting in higher total yields from the land.

Planting tall or dense-canopied plants may protect more vulnerable plants through shading or by providing a windbreak. In some instances, the benefit is derived when companion plants provide a good environment for beneficial insects, and other arthropods, especially those predatory and parasitic species that help to keep pest populations in check.

Other ways that companion planting can be beneficial is to plant a crop like legumes on an area where it will feed nitrogen into the soil, then it will not be necessary to use any chemical fertilizers for the next crop.

Unfortunately, there are other plants that slow down each other's growth. These crops should not be grown together. Experts call this phenomenon as antagonistic planting.

Now, here's a list of vegetable crops with their companion plants and antagonistic plants (culled from various sources):

Amaranth: A tropical annual that needs hot conditions to flourish. Good with sweet corn; its leaves provide shade giving the corn a rich, moist root run. Also, amaranth is host to predatory ground beetles.

Ampalaya: This all-year round vegetable can be grown along with trellised lima bean, yard-long bean, and winged bean.

Asparagus: Friend of tomato, parsley, basil, and marigold. Avoid planting asparagus with onion, garlic and potato.

Basil: Plant with tomato to improve growth and flavor. Basil also does well with peppers, oregano, asparagus and petunias. It can be helpful in repelling thrips. Basil is said to repel flies and mosquitoes.

Beans: All beans enrich the soil with nitrogen fixed from the air. Generally, they are good company for carrot, celery, corn, eggplant, peas, potato, beets, radish, and cucumber. Beans are great for heavy nitrogen users like corn because beans fix nitrogen from the air into the soil so the nitrogen used up by the corn are replaced at the end of the season when the bean plants die back. Keep beans away from the alliums.
Cabbage: Potato, celery, dill, and onion are good companion plants. Celery improves growth and health. It does not get along with tomato, peppers, eggplant, grapes and pole sitao.

Carrot: Its pals are leaf lettuce, leek, peas, onion and tomato. Keep dill away from carrot. One drawback with tomato and carrot when planted together: tomato plants can stunt the growth of the carrots but the latter will still be of good flavor.

Cassava: It gets along well with sweet potato, swamp cabbage, pechay, alugbati, lettuce, garlic, golden squash, and peanut.

Celery: Among its companions are beans, cabbage, leek, onion, and tomato. Its foe: corn.

Corn: Grown best with amaranth, beans, cucumber, melons, parsley, peanut, peas, potato, soybean, squash, and sunflower. Keep corn away from celery and tomato plants.

Cucumber: Cucumber is great to plant with corn and beans. The three plants like the same conditions: warmth, rich soil and plenty of moisture. Let the cucumbers grow up and over the corn plants. A great duet is to plant cucumber with sunflower. The sunflower provides a strong support for the vines. Cucumber also does well with peas, beets, radish, and carrot. Radish is a good deterrent against cucumber beetles. Dill planted with cucumbers helps by attracting beneficial predators. Keep potato away from cucumber.

Eggplant: Plant with amaranth, beans, peas, swamp cabbage, golden squash, radish, and marigold. Eggplant is a member of the nightshade family and does well with peppers. Avoid planting potato near eggplant.

Garlic: This spice crop accumulates sulfur: a naturally occurring fungicide which will help in the garden with disease prevention. Garlic is systemic in action as it is taken up the plants through their pores and when garlic tea is used as a soil drench it is also taken up by the plant roots.

Lettuce: Does well with beet, bush bean, pole bean, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, onion, and radish. It grows happily in the shade under young sunflowers.

Onion: Planting chamomile with onion improves the former's flavor. Other companions: carrot, leek, beet, dill, lettuce, and tomato. Intercropping onion and leek with your carrot confuses the carrot and onion flies! Keep onion away from peas, beans, and asparagus.

Peas: Companions for peas are bush beans, pole beans, carrots, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, parsley, radish, and sweet pepper. Do not plant peas with onion, garlic, and potato.

Potato: The following may be planted with potato: bush bean, cabbage, carrot, celery, corn, marigold, peas, and onion. Don't plant these around potato: asparagus, cucumber, squash, and sunflower. Keep potato and tomato apart as they both can get early and late blight contaminating each other.

Tomato: Grown along with asparagus, parsley, cabbage, onion, radish, garlic and carrot. Tomato protects asparagus from asparagus beetles while asparagus protects tomato from nematodes. Planted with garlic, the latter repels red spider mite. Don't grow potato and tomato with each other; potato inhibits tomato growth while tomato renders potato more susceptible to blight.

How to start a micro lending business

People in times of crisis would try to do anything to extend the budget. But budgeting can only extend the budget so much that is why we hear teachers selling longanisa, others would put up small homes businesses like sari sari store, join MLM of certain products like Avon and others. Many would try the internet to look for husbands overseas hoping to marry a rich foreigner, and others with skill and courage would apply for jobs overseas. But when the need for money is immediate – most people would go to credit lending agencies.

This is what the whole post is all about. How to start a micro lending business to meet the lending needs of many of our kababayans. Generally, lending firms are more lenient in their requirements, offer lower interest rates, and process loan applications faster. You're immediate competition is the predatory lending of Bombays that offers 5-6. We suggest you offer lower lending rates, preferably 5% or less.

Here are some information and advices:

1. A credit lending business can be a single proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. You cannot use the word "lending" or "finance" in your business name if you set up your lending business as a single proprietorship or partnership. You can only use those words only if your company is a corporation. A corporation has advantages that a single proprietorship or a partnership doesn't have.

2. You need to raise the required minimum capital of P1 million and then register your business with the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC (www.sec.gov.ph). The usual permits and documents required in setting up a business will be required i.e. Mayor's permit, certification from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Social Security System, Philhealth, and Pag-IBIG coverage for the people you will be employing in the business.

3. In micro-lending without quasi-banking activities, may cater to employees, pensioners, sari-sari store owners, market stall-holders, and OFWs. OFWs usually require bigger loan amounts that start at P50,000, but it is advisable for start-ups to lend smaller amounts with short payment terms. This will make repayments faster and enable you to loan out money to more borrowers.

4. Micro-lending usually doesn't require collateral from the borrower. It only requires the borrower and the co-maker to sign a promissory note and submit other documents. However, for loans of P50,000 and higher, you should ask for collateral from the borrower. Any item that is of value can be used as collateral, such as jewelry, real estate, or vehicle, for as long as the borrower owns it. If the business of credit lending have grown you may have to think about asset based lending or home lending or vehicle lending. Credit lending with collateral is much safer.

5. You can start this business with three employees: one to take care of releasing loans, a second to collect payments, and a third either as bookkeeper or accountant on retainer.

There you go. If you are an OFW that just returned from overseas and is looking for a lucrative business, you can try micro-lending that offers reasonable lending rates.

Good Luck.

Equipment and Machinery for Rice Production

This entry is for our rice farmers who searching for equipment and machineries to augment their incomes and rice production. The Openacademy for Philippine Agriculture has the following machinery to help our farmers:

PhilRice Rototiller

• Lightweight, portable, and detachable assembly
• Cheaper alternative to floating tiller
• Transportable
• Maximizes the use of the handtractor
• High puddling capacity, adjustable depth (15 cm max.)
to fit with various soil conditions
• Low fuel consumption
• Easy to fabricate, repair, and maintain using locally
available materials and fabrication tools

PhilRice Improved Drum Sedder

• Simple, low cost, and easy to fabricate using local
materials
• Portable and lightweight
• Can be used both for dryland and wetland seeding
• Rice grains seeded in straight rows, allowing mechanical
weeding between rows
• Adjustable seeding rate
• Seeds are partially buried in furrows, hence, they are
protected against rodents and birds

PhilRice-JICA Handtractor-Drawn Drum Seeder

• High seeding capacity of 3-5 ha/day by 2 persons
• Adjustable seeding rates of 40-120 kg/ha regulated by
covering lines of drum holes
• Minimizes effect of water puddles in the field
• Easy to operate as attachment to the hand tractor
• Can be easily fabricated by local manufacturers
• Row seeding for easy crop care; allows use of mechanical
weeder

For more information:

Open Academy for Philippine AgricultureFTIC Building, PhilRice Compound, Science City of Munoz, 3119 Nueva EcijaTelefax: +63 (44) 4565390Local: +63 (44) 4560561 local 502Email: opapa@openacademy.ph or prri@philrice.gov.ph