All sustainable farming systems and practices recognize one fundamental principle: Soil is not merely a dead substance or planting medium, it is a complex, living ecosystem. This ecosystem, comprised of bacteria, protozoa, fungi, insects, invertebrates, plants and small animals are…
Here at ESSA we strive to provide you with nothing but the most the most thorough, comprehensive, evidence based and scientifically backed information possible. Today we are featuring an 30-year long comparative experiment conducted by the Rodale Institute. It doesn’t…
By Aeon Mapa Just in case you haven’t heard, one of the most pressing issues in food production in the Philippines today is that of genetically engineered Golden Rice. Unfortunately the Philippines has become the first country to approve cultivation…
We have done several features on the importance of human gut bacteria. But what about farm animals? In a study conducted by the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science in 2017, it was shown that supplementation of lactic acid bacteria,…
The Marang is fruit that is endemic to the Philippines and related to the Jackfruit and Durian. Even within our own country they are not commonly recognized, especially in Luzon. The fruit ripens and gets over ripe very quickly after…
Jackfruit, or Langka as we call it is a unique and delicious tropical fruit which grows abundantly here in the Philippines. The ripe fruit is very large, sometimes reaching up to 5 feet in length! When opened it has a…
The Philippines is a wonderful place for farming. Abundant rains and warm weather make it possible for us to grow nearly any food all year round. However there are some challenges that come with that heavy rain, one of the…
In this beautifully simple article from the Rodale Institute website, author Mary Mesenburg states why buying local, organic produce is really much better for your health. First of all, the less produce has to travel, the less carbon is produced,…
Ampalaya or Bitter Gourd is an annual vine that produces a lumpy fruit that is used as a vegetable. They come in white and red but the green variety is by far the most popular and common. Ampalaya is a…
Bananas are a popular and common fruit in the tropical regions of the world. The tree, which is actually an annual herb in terms of botanical classification produces one bunch of fruits and an edible flower in it’s life. It…
This 4-part article from the Diamond Physcisians website describes how we can use natural methods to strengthen our bodies against COVID infection. It breaks down the natural approach into four parts, and give a short description of the prescribed treatment…
The visually appealing mangosteen is a tropical fruit that is known for it’s sweet and tangy taste. While it is often appreciated for it’s looks and taste, mangosteen is also a nutritious fruit that has a lot of benefits to…