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How To Turn “Earth Hour“ Into “Earth Power“ – The Ultimate Power Trip!

What you did yesterday, in Manila Saturday, 27 March 2021, was switch off the lights for 1 hour, 8:30 to 9:30 PM. I have another non-conformist, earth-shaking idea: Not “Turn off your lights” but “Turn on your power!”
(spinning world image[1] from Dreamstime.com)

Switching off the light for 1 hour 1 day 1 year – that’s saving gigawatts of electrical energy worldwide. We Earthlings can do much better than that – save on power every time, everywhere!

That’s what I call “Earth Power.” To be celebrated by everyone even in broad daylight during the whole year.

Since I am an Agriculturist, let me show you how power works in Agriculture – there is Power from Knowledge!

(1)   Power from Coops –
We have the farmer as a member of a cooperative that can assist him in many ways. The loans are available at affordable interests – the loan sharks will then lose their power! Additionally, the coop will show extra power to the farmer in avoiding expenses.

(2)   Power from Certified Seeds –
Teaching and/or training him, we ingrain in each farmer the habit of buying certified rice seeds, whether inbred or hybrid. He gets to know technologies & systems to ensure he gets a high yield for every planting. Lower costs, higher returns.

(3)   Power from Transplanting & Direct Seeding –
For Transplanting: Each farmer learns how to take care of seedlings on the seedbed, the day to transplant them, and how. For Direct Seeding: We teach each farmer direct seeding, saving on nursery bed care and transplanting.

(4)   Power from Square Planting –
In transplanting or direct seeding, single seedlings are planted, at least 25 cm by 25 cm in-between, not the usual careless planting. This will cut cost by less, and increase yields by more. Single seedlings will grow more tillers – and it is the tillers that produce the panicles that produce the grains for harvest.

(5)   Power from Mixed Farming –
We show how interplanting with other crops, mixed planting, intercropping or trap cropping will save him from spending on pesticides. The entomologists call it “Integrated Pest Management;” I call it “Good Food.”

(6)   Power from Harvesting and Postharvest Handling –
The coop will save for each farmer by renting out the combine harvester for harvesting his rice, and a solar-powered or mechanical dryer to dry his grains to the desired 14% moisture. The coop’s warehouse will provide grain storage when and as long as necessary.

(7)   Power from Marketing –
The cooperative will help the farmer bring the produce from farm to warehouse, displayed by images or digitally. If the farmer needs cash at this point, he can always turn to the coop for another affordable loan. Meanwhile, the produce stays at the coop warehouse, waiting for an opportune time to be sold, when “the price is right.” 

And the leader of this new movement, “Turn On Earth Power!” who will it be? I’m thinking of PH Secretary of Agriculture William Dar. A science servant leader of local and international experiences, and a proven achiever; he’ll know what to do!@517


[1]https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-wireless-energy-surrounding-earth-image20258245

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