Tips and Guides

Procedure below describes how to make Ube Flakes, Ube Jam, Ube Pastillas, and Ube Powder.

D. alata or Dioscorea alata, called “water yam”, “winged yam” and “purple yam”, was first cultivated in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines it is known as ube (or ubi) and is used as an ingredient in many sweet desserts. In India, it is known as ratalu or violet yam or the Moraga Surprise. In Hawaii it is known as uhi.

How to make Ube Flakes

MATERIALS NEEDED

ube puree, 1 kg
maltodextrin

UTENSILS NEEDED

drum drier spatula/rubber scraper plastic bags
stainless steel bowls/trays weighing scale
osterizer/blender stainless steel scissors/cutter

PROCEDURE

1. Clean ube tubers by soaking in tap water and scrubbing using scrubbers to remove surface dirt.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Boil for 30 minutes to 1 hour until soft or retort at 20-psi for 5 minutes.
4. Drain.
5. Peel, slice and mash ube in water (1:1).
6. Weigh mashed ube.
7. Add 5% maltodextrin*. Dissolve in 95% water.
8. Blend thoroughly until smooth.
9. Dry using a drum dryer.
10. Cut and/or form into shapes while hot.
11. Pack in PP bags (0.003- to 0.004-thickness) after cooling at room temperature.
12. Seal. Pack in carton boxes. Label. Store in a cool, dry place.

*How to prepare:
5% maltodextrin solution (bulking agent or carrier and for color protection)

Basis: 1 kilo ube slices/puree: 1kilo x 0.05 = 0.05 kilo or 50 grams
1kilo x 0.95 = 0.95 kilo or 950 grams

5% solution of maltodextrin (50 grams of maltodextrin + 950 grams water) will be added to 1 kilo of ube slices prior to blending or pureeing

How to make Ube Jam

MATERIALS NEEDED

ube puree, 1 kg
water
pure refined white sugar
GDL

UTENSILS NEEDED

rubber scraper/spatula carajay weighing scale
osterizer/blender LPG with stove jars with cap
retort/autoclave stainless steel ladle

PROCEDURE

1. Clean ube tubers by soaking in tap water and scrubbing using scrubbers to remove surface dirt.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Boil for 30 minutes to 1 hour until soft or retort at 20-psi for 5 minutes.
4. Drain.
5. Peel. Cut, slice and mash ube.
6. Weigh mashed ube.
7. Add 0.2% glucono-delta-lactone (GDL)*.
8. Prepare 50% sugar solution* (syrup). Heat.
9. Add the syrup in mashed ube (1:1).
10. Blend thoroughly. Stir/Cook ube in moderate fire until desired consistency is attained.
11. Pack in jars. Leave 1/3-inch headspace. Seal thoroughly.
12. Process in retort at 15-psi for 15 minutes. Cool at room temperature.
13. Pack in carton boxes.
14. Seal, label and store in a cool, dry place.

*How to prepare:
A. 0.2% gluconodeltalactone (GDL) (to acidify the jam)
= 0.002 x 1000 grams or 1 kilo = 2 grams or 0.002 kilo

B. 50% Syrup
Basis: 1 kilo ube slices/puree
1kilo x 0.5 = 0.5 kilo or 500 grams sugar
1kilo x 0.5 = 0.5 kilo or 500 grams water

How to make Ube Pastilyas

MATERIALS NEEDED

mashed ube, 1 kilo (5 cups)
sugar,300 g (2 1/4 cups)
butter or margarine, 200 g
evaporated milk, 1 cup
full cream powdered milk, 1 cup

UTENSILS NEEDED

rolling pin chopping or kneading board spatula
frying pan kitchen knife wax paper

PROCEDURE

1. Clean ube tubers by soaking in tap water and scrubbing using scrubbers to remove surface dirt.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Boil for 30 minutes to 1 hour until soft or retort at 20-psi for 5 minutes.
4. Drain thoroughly.
5. Peel. Cut, slice and mash ube.
6. Weigh mashed ube.
7. Add the sugar and evaporated milk. Cook over slow fire. Stirring should be done constantly until a smooth mixture is obtained.
8. Add the full cream powdered milk. Stir while cooking. The mixture should not stick to the sides of the frying pan.
9. Cool to room temperature.
10. Transfer the mixture over a kneading board covered with wax paper.
11. Sprinkle small amounts of sugar over the wax paper.
12. Spread the mashed mixture using a rolling pin until it is 1-inch thick.
13. Spread butter and small amounts of sugar over the mixture.
14. Make slices of about 4 x 1 cm. Wrap individually.

How to make Ube Powder

MATERIALS NEEDED

ube slices, 2 kg

UTENSILS NEEDED

cabinet drier cheesecloth knives
hammermill/pulverizer stainless steel trays retort or autoclave
or osterizer packaging materials carton boxes
sieve stainless steel bowls

PROCEDURE

1. Clean ube tubers by soaking in tap water and scrubbing using scrubbers to remove surface dirt.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Boil for 30 minutes to 1 hour until soft or retort at 20-psi for 5 minutes.
4. Drain thoroughly.
5. Peel. Cut and slice ube about 2 to 3 mm thickness.
6. Weigh.
7. Dry in cabinet dryer at 60oC until ube becomes brittle.
8. Remove from dryer.
9. Grind using hammer mill/pulverizer.
10. Sieve the pulverized ube in a 45-mesh/300 microns siever.
11. Pack ube powder using metalized foil bags.
12. Seal thoroughly. Pack in carton boxes.
13. Label and store in a cool, dry place.

Source: DOST

What is it?

Vitarich develops and manufactures high quality animal and aqua feeds. We have a wide range of products available at competitive prices—so competitive, in fact, that all you have to do is open your own store or feeds outlet and you’re all set to go.

What can we do for you?

Vitarich gives you two ways to make profits.

- We’ll provide you with all the feeds you can sell at dealers’ discounted rates and you can determine your profits based on the recommended retail price for your area.
- When you hit a certain volume of bag sales, we’ll give you additional rebates.

What value-added services do we offer?

- If you hit a higher volume, we could help you with our Service Account Officer program where you would have a salesperson in your area assisting you in building your business.
- We also provide your clients with technical support free of charge:

*after sales technical visits including consultations;
*seminars on farm management and other relevant livestock raising issues; and
*free training for farm personnel.

How to start?

Just get in touch with us and we’ll set up a meeting for you with the marketing person in charge of your area.

VITARICH CORPORATION
MacArthur Highway, Abangan Sur,
Marilao, Bulacan 3019 Philippines

Trunklines connecting all departments

PLDT : (632) 843-3033
Digitel: (6344) 711-2829
Smart : (63918) 8482-254
Fax : (632) 843-3033 local 400

Feed Sales & Marketing

Locals : 119 / 120 / 121 / 127 / 131 / 176
Direct Lines : (6344) 711-VITA (8482) or 711-1519

Livestocks & Poultry Operations

Contract Growing
Locals : 309 / 307
Direct Line : (63917) 831-7206

Food Sales
Local : 212
Direct Line : (63917) 505-3246

Technical Support & Hog Sales
Locals : 309 / 307
Direct Line : (63917) 516-9204

METRO MANILA OFFICE

WEB-JET Acropolis Building
Unit 302, 3rd Floor
#88 E Rodriguez Jr. Ave.
Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City
Tel no. (632) 636-3013
Fax no. (632) 633-8192

OUTSIDE WAREHOUSES

Guagua Warehouse
Bo. Natividad, Guagua, Pampanga
Contact Person : Mr. Gerardo Domingo
Mobile# : (63917) 873-5841

Lipa Warehouse
Brgy. Tambo, Lipa City, Batangas
Contact Person : Mr. Martin Tagle
Mobile# : (63917) 516-8502
Telefax : (6343) 757-0880

VISMIN OPERATIONS

Visayas

Ilo-Ilo
Brgy. Maliao, Pavia, Ilo-Ilo
Direct Lines : (6333) 329-7658 or 320-6753

Bacolod
CL Montelibano, Cor. Kamunsil St.,
Bacolod City
Direct Line : (6334) 434-8166

Cebu
Juez M.O. Echavez St., Sudlon,
Maguikay, Mandaue City
Direct Lines : (6332) 345-3511 to 12

Mindanao
Davao
Km. 14, Panacan, Davao City
Direct Lines : (6382) 238-0330 to 32

General Santos
Biocrest Feedmill, National Hi-Way,
Apopong, General Santos City
Direct Lines : (6383) 552-6031 or 553-5467

Cagayan de Oro
Bo. Umalag, Tablon,
Cagayan de Oro City
Direct Lines : (6388) 855-2868 to 70

by Maria Rowena Briones

Raising cacao in nurseries is one way of raising healthy planting materials. Not only will cacao become pest-free, it will grow robustly. Like maintenance of a healthy body through proper diet and exercise, maintenance of cacao under nursery is through proper site and seed selection (stock and scion), and planting techniques.

cacao seedlingsThe site of the nursery must be situated in an area near the source of water, with an excellent drainage system. A more ideal site is in a shaded area because cacao grows well in shades especially during its first two months. In the absence of coconut frond, black plastic nets attached on two-meter bamboo poles will do. Fortunately, cacao needs less and less shade as it grows prior to planting. Healthy plants grow from healthy seeds. Thus, only healthy and big seed varieties-the UIT1, UIT2, ICS 20 and UF42, of cacao are grown in nurseries. Unhealthy seedlings are removed as soon as detected.

As soon as cacao seeds mature or removed from the pods, it starts to germinate within one week. Thus, it should immediately be planted into the prepared polybags with sieved fertile topsoil. Some organic fertilizer is mixed in the medium to insure sound root and stem development of seedlings. If pH of the soil is low, ground magnesium limestone can be added to improve the pH to 5-6 level.

The size of the polybags depend on the length of time cacao will be kept in the nurseries– the longer the time, the larger are the polybags. For instance, for seedlings kept from five to six months, a polybag measuring 12.5 cm x 15 cm with .003 thickness is an ideal size.

Systematic arrangement of the polybags inside the nursery leads to a more efficient maintenance and grafting of cacao plants as they mature. The arrangement can be in four rows with 50 cm spacing between each rows. After two months, seedlings should be lifted manually to avoid root penetration to the nursery soil. Aside from proper spacing, there should be constant weeding to prevent the weeds from competing with the growing seedlings in the absorption of soil nutrients. While it is tedious, weeding should be done manually because the use of herbicides is not advisable. However, occasional application of fertilizer, such as urea (46-0-0), is encouraged to achieve speedy growth.

Only seedlings with hardened leaves are planted out to the field. Field planting is ideal at the start of the rainy season, not during dry season unless irrigation is available in the field. The transplanting of the cacao seedlings from nursery to the field is a good start. Since the seedlings are healthy, with correct and constant care of the crop, the harvest is as healthy.

Source: Maintenance of Cacao under Nursery. Cacao RDE Sub-network. University of Southern Mindanao

(For more information, contact Cacao RDE Sub-network University of Southern Mindanao Kabacan North Cotabato Tel. No. (062) 248 2323)

This is a sequel to our Vitarich posts. This is about Fish Contract Growing with Vitarich. So if you have a pond or fish cages and needs assistance both on technical side, and financial (feeds, fingerling including marketing), then this option maybe the best for you.

What is contract growing?

Simply put, you grow the fish, Vitarich harvests and markets the fish.

If you think about it, contract growing is easy since we would be the one taking care of the feeds, fish, and the technical services needed. We would even market the produce. Better still, you still need little initial capital since you would be incurring expenses related to operations because the company will be shouldering the cost of feeds and fingerlings. This is exactly the kind of business small and medium-scale entrepreneurs are looking for.

How does it work?

We provide you with everything you need to start your own business and make it succeed. We provide the fingerlings feeds, technical services and other auxiliary services.

You take care of the housing, labor, power, light, and water; equipment; and other miscellaneous expenses.

Once the fishes are fully grown, you profit by the kilo. We harvest the flock and sell the fishes.

Why work with Vitarich?

First of all, we guarantee the quality and performance of our fingerlings.

From hatchery to delivery, our fingerlings would undergo proper conditioning to ensure quality before dispersal. Our technical personnel will be in the hatchery and at the farm site on the actual pangasius dispersal to inspect and ensure quality of the fry.

Second, we provide the best support possible.

We provide the best in technical support.
Our technical group is composed of highly qualified farm-trained aqua-specialists, each of whom is equipped with everything they need to help you with your needs. These specialists will be with you from the time you think about signing up and all throughout the contract growing process.
Here’s what they’ll do for you:

* Assess the feasibility of the project; Assist you with pond/cage lay-out and construction, and other details that have a direct impact on the management; Provide you with regular training sessions for new growers as well as refresher courses for experienced growers; Conduct seminars on the latest advancements in the aqua industry; Be there to help you before and during the delivery of fishes; Give helpful tips on proper pond/cage management and ensure the most suitable conditions for fish acceptance; Conduct regular farm visits to supervise fish placements, assist you during dispersal, evaluate fish performance in terms of mortality, feed consumption, weight gain, etc.

* Evaluate the farm’s performance after harvest and discuss with you possible improvements for better and more profitable operations.

We also provide logistics support.

Working in close coordination with the Technical Support Group is our Logistics and Support Group which is based in Marilao. Logistics and Support will handle the processing of your application; coordinate prompt feeds deliveries; expedite the release of your checks; and takes care of hauling of final products .

To support both groups, other Departments within Vitarich are always prepared to help. In short, Vitarich has a very efficient and effective contract support system based on its long years of experience and service.

Third, you never have to worry about marketing.

Vitarich handles the marketing of your finished products. So you never have to worry about fluctuations in prices, or competing with other fish products, or where and how to sell your fishes. We take care of all that and, in the process, save you marketing-related expenses.

How do you start?

Let’s sit down and talk about it. Visit our office at Marilao today.

VITARICH CORPORATION
MacArthur Highway, Abangan Sur,
Marilao, Bulacan 3019 Philippines

Trunklines connecting all departments

PLDT : (632) 843-3033
Digitel: (6344) 711-2829
Smart : (63918) 8482-254
Fax : (632) 843-3033 local 400

Feed Sales & Marketing

Locals : 119 / 120 / 121 / 127 / 131 / 176
Direct Lines : (6344) 711-VITA (8482) or 711-1519

Livestocks & Poultry Operations

Contract Growing
Locals : 309 / 307
Direct Line : (63917) 831-7206

Food Sales
Local : 212
Direct Line : (63917) 505-3246

Technical Support & Hog Sales
Locals : 309 / 307
Direct Line : (63917) 516-9204

METRO MANILA OFFICE

WEB-JET Acropolis Building
Unit 302, 3rd Floor
#88 E Rodriguez Jr. Ave.
Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City
Tel no. (632) 636-3013
Fax no. (632) 633-8192

OUTSIDE WAREHOUSES

Guagua Warehouse
Bo. Natividad, Guagua, Pampanga
Contact Person : Mr. Gerardo Domingo
Mobile# : (63917) 873-5841

Lipa Warehouse
Brgy. Tambo, Lipa City, Batangas
Contact Person : Mr. Martin Tagle
Mobile# : (63917) 516-8502
Telefax : (6343) 757-0880

VISMIN OPERATIONS

Visayas

Ilo-Ilo
Brgy. Maliao, Pavia, Ilo-Ilo
Direct Lines : (6333) 329-7658 or 320-6753

Bacolod
CL Montelibano, Cor. Kamunsil St.,
Bacolod City
Direct Line : (6334) 434-8166

Cebu
Juez M.O. Echavez St., Sudlon,
Maguikay, Mandaue City
Direct Lines : (6332) 345-3511 to 12

Mindanao
Davao
Km. 14, Panacan, Davao City
Direct Lines : (6382) 238-0330 to 32

General Santos
Biocrest Feedmill, National Hi-Way,
Apopong, General Santos City
Direct Lines : (6383) 552-6031 or 553-5467

Cagayan de Oro
Bo. Umalag, Tablon,
Cagayan de Oro City
Direct Lines : (6388) 855-2868 to 70

There are business opportunities by partnering with established businesses. For example, with Vitarich you can into Contract Growing Business both for Livestock (Poultry and Hog) and Fish, you can also partner with them if you are interested of going into Feed Distribution Business or Food Sales Business, among other possibilities.

This post will cover Poultry Contract Growing with Vitarich.

What is contract growing?

Simply put, you rear the chicks. Vitarich harvests the flock and markets the chickens.

If you think about it, contract growing is easier to manage than any other poultry or livestock venture. We take care of the feeds, chicks, and technical services. We even take care of marketing. Better still, you need little initial capital because we shoulder the cost of feeds and chicks. This is exactly the kind of business small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs are looking for.

How does it work?

We provide you with everything you need to start your own business and make it succeed. We provide the day-old-chicks (DOCs), feed support, vaccines, technical services, and other services.

You take care of the housing; labor; power, light, and water; equipment; medication; and other miscellaneous expenses. Once the chickens are grown, you profit by the kilo. We harvest the flock and sell the chickens.

Why work with Vitarich?

First of all, we guarantee the quality and performance of our chicks.

Vitarich uses the world-renowned Cobb broiler chicks. Cobb broiler chicks are superior to other chicks because:

- they have a good initial body weight;
- they have an excellent growth rate which means,
- they develop stronger immunity faster than other chicks,
- they have a lower mortality rate, and
- their cost of brooding is lower;
- they produce customer-preferred round, double-breasted meaty broilers with short big legs.

From hatchery to delivery, our chicks undergo the strictest quality control. After hatching, the chicks are placed in specially designed plastic crates and are then immediately delivered to your farm. When the chicks arrive, our technical personnel will be with you as you break open the Quality Control Seal to inspect and count the chicks. We’re so confident about our Cobb chicks, that you’re entitled to reject chicks that are apparently weak due to transport or other factors such as poor climate.

Second, we provide the best support possible.

We provide the best in technical support.

Our technical group is composed of highly qualified farm-trained specialists, each of whom is equipped with everything they need to help you with your needs. These specialists will be with you from the time you think about signing up and all throughout the contract growing process.

Here’s what they’ll do for you:

1. Assess the feasibility of the project; Assist you with farm lay-out, poultry building design and construction, and other details that have a direct impact on general flock health and management; Provide you with regular in-plant training sessions for new growers as well as refresher courses for experienced growers; Conduct seminars on the latest advancements in the poultry industry and sponsor drug orientation courses in coordination with veterinary drug companies; Be there to help you before and during the delivery of chicks; Give helpful tips on proper brooding management and ensure the most suitable conditions for chicks acceptance; Conduct regular farm visits to supervise DOC placements, assist you during brooding, deliver AHP and supervise hauling; evaluate flock performance in terms of mortality, feed consumption, weight gain, etc.; Provide vaccines and assist you and/or supervise your workers for proper vaccination techniques and procedures; Formulate a biosecurity program most suited for your farm including vaccination schedules, medication plans, quarantine procedures, disinfection and sanitation practices.

2. Evaluate the farm’s performance after harvest and discuss with you possible improvements for better and more profitable operations.

Our technical support group is even prepared to assist you with accounting, recording, and administrative procedures.

We also provide logistics support.

Working in close coordination with the Technical Support Group is our Logistics and Support Group which is based in Marilao. Logistics and Support will handle the processing of your application; coordinate prompt feed and chick deliveries; expedite the release of your checks; and take care of hauling finished broilers from your farm to Vitarich’s Dressing Plant.

To support both groups, other Departments within Vitarich are always prepared to help. In short, Vitarich has a very efficient and effective contract support system based on its long years of experience and service.

Third, you never have to worry about marketing.

Vitarich handles the marketing of your finished products. So you never have to worry about fluctuations in prices, or competing with other fish products, or where and how to sell your fishes. We take care of all that and, in the process, save you marketing-related expenses.

How do you start?

Let’s sit down and talk about it. Visit our office at Marilao today.

VITARICH CORPORATION
MacArthur Highway, Abangan Sur,
Marilao, Bulacan 3019 Philippines

Trunklines connecting all departments

PLDT : (632) 843-3033
Digitel: (6344) 711-2829
Smart : (63918) 8482-254
Fax : (632) 843-3033 local 400

Feed Sales & Marketing

Locals : 119 / 120 / 121 / 127 / 131 / 176
Direct Lines : (6344) 711-VITA (8482) or 711-1519

Livestocks & Poultry Operations

Contract Growing
Locals : 309 / 307
Direct Line : (63917) 831-7206

Food Sales
Local : 212
Direct Line : (63917) 505-3246

Technical Support & Hog Sales
Locals : 309 / 307
Direct Line : (63917) 516-9204

METRO MANILA OFFICE

WEB-JET Acropolis Building
Unit 302, 3rd Floor
#88 E Rodriguez Jr. Ave.
Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City
Tel no. (632) 636-3013
Fax no. (632) 633-8192

OUTSIDE WAREHOUSES

Guagua Warehouse
Bo. Natividad, Guagua, Pampanga
Contact Person : Mr. Gerardo Domingo
Mobile# : (63917) 873-5841

Lipa Warehouse
Brgy. Tambo, Lipa City, Batangas
Contact Person : Mr. Martin Tagle
Mobile# : (63917) 516-8502
Telefax : (6343) 757-0880

VISMIN OPERATIONS

Visayas

Ilo-Ilo
Brgy. Maliao, Pavia, Ilo-Ilo
Direct Lines : (6333) 329-7658 or 320-6753

Bacolod
CL Montelibano, Cor. Kamunsil St.,
Bacolod City
Direct Line : (6334) 434-8166

Cebu
Juez M.O. Echavez St., Sudlon,
Maguikay, Mandaue City
Direct Lines : (6332) 345-3511 to 12

Mindanao
Davao
Km. 14, Panacan, Davao City
Direct Lines : (6382) 238-0330 to 32

General Santos
Biocrest Feedmill, National Hi-Way,
Apopong, General Santos City
Direct Lines : (6383) 552-6031 or 553-5467

Cagayan de Oro
Bo. Umalag, Tablon,
Cagayan de Oro City
Direct Lines : (6388) 855-2868 to 70