We are developing the island of Tablas as a tourism- and retirement haven (but we will also conserve the environment and sustain the well-being of local people by establishing partnerships with residents and government).

Tablas Island in the Philippines (only 40 mins flight from Manila) offers money-saving, life-improving, travel-rich opportunities.

Tablas has it all; tranquility, scuba diving, fish sanctuary’s, caves, water falls, island hopping and is just a short boat ride from the world famous Boracay Island (24/7 Sand, Sun and Party). Tablas is still ‘nature as it should be’, and we like to keep it that way.

One of our other projects here is a unique luxury ocean front retirement village ‘Managed by Expats, Enjoyed by Expats’; Sunset Beach Villas Tablas. An escape from the rat-race. (see also www.SunsetBeachVillas.com)

PILI NUT Trees

The pili nut (Canarium ovatum Engl.) is endemic in the Philippines; it ‘belongs’ here (native, indigenous) with Sorsogon as its center of genetic diversity.

They spread out- and grow in tropical Asia and the Pacific but still they ‘feel at home’ in Central Philippines with the perfect fertile soil, -temperature and –moisture.

Philippines has the monopoly for pili nuts on the foreign market.

The pili nut of which the taste is a cross between a macadamia nut and an almond, is exported to countries like Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore to be used in deserts for example. Glazed and honey roasted have become a favorite snack.

It has great potential to develop into a major industry (a top export commodity-) for the Philippines since the pili tree grows here native/indigenous. Pili nut trees (Canarium ovatum Engl.) are one of the most typhoon-resistant species.

Already chocolate companies abroad now prefer pili nuts as a substitute for macadamia nuts, which are becoming expensive.

The Philippine Government has made a start in promoting the pili nut and provides information plus planting materials to local farmers because the pili nuts will be ranked soon with the cashew and the macadamia nuts in the world market.

However, high ROI can only be achieved with large-scale plantations under supervision of agricultural experts from universities and by using (at least partial) farm-machinery.

Also we have assistance from a specialist of the Department of Agriculture, a provincial agrarian officer and an agricultural professor at The University of The Eastern Philippines who did 15 years research for the pili nut.The pili tree is excellent for landscaping, as a windbreak, and for agro forestation; it’s roots prevents landslides.

The green pulp can be made into pickle, while the ripe pulp is edible after boiling.

The young shoots and the fruit pulp of pili are edible. The shoots are used in salads, and the pulp is eaten after it is boiled and seasoned. Boiled pili pulp resembles sweet potato in texture; it is considered to have food value similar to avocado.

Pili nuts also contain about 23% oil that may be used for lighting, cooking and in the manufacture of soaps, shampoos, cosmetic, pharmaceutical- and industrial products.

The shell makes an excellent cooking fuel and can be made into attractive ornaments.

The kernel is edible raw, roasted, fried or sugar-coated, and is also used in making cakes, puddings and ice cream.

As timber, the wood is characterized by fine striated grains making it very ideal for the manufacture of high quality furniture, wall panels, carved doors, and other wooden products. The rootstock could also be utilized for wood carvings and tool handles.

The pili nut has a bright future as a commercial crop. Superior varieties, rapid asexual propagation methods and workable production technologies are available now. The nuts keep well, and can be stored for several months.

ARE THERE ANY RISKS?

As in all of life, and particularly in any business venture, there is risk.

However, the developers are taking steps to mitigate their effects.

Disease: Pest control measures are not necessary because the pili tree and its parts are not known to be attacked by any serious pests or diseases.

However our on-site farm management team of experts from the University of Eastern Philippines, assisted by experts from the Philippines Department of Agriculture know exactly what to look for and how to treat any problems as soon as they occur.

Crop Insurance: We will be purchasing crop insurance annually.

Typhoons: Tablas Highlands Farm is located on the western side of Tablas Island so it is to an extent protected by not facing directly to the East where most typhoons come from. Further, Tablas is sheltered on the East by Sibuyan Island, and further to the East by Masbate and Northern Samar. Tablas Island does not face to the open Philippine Sea.

More importantly, the Pili nut tree is extremely resistant to severe weather. It is very hardy and has a high rate of survival against inclement weather. Water: We selected the land because of the water-streams that run across; even during the extremely dry period of 2010 we still had water.

LATEST NEWS ABOUT PHILAGRIVEST (OCTOBER 2010)

Now that the heavy infrastructure is pretty much completed, focus in September was on completing the poultry building.  During the last week of September we introduced our first “chicklets” to their new home, and they are being watched over by two full time poultry employees.  All total, 1,000 baby chickens we placed into production in September, with another 4,000 to follow.

We continued in September the emphasis on getting quick cash crops into the ground. We now have the following ongoing with crops:

2,000 Atis fruit tree planted, plus 1,000 seeds developing at the nursery
2,000 Jack fruit planted
500 Rambutan trees planted
350 Cashew nut trees
20,000 Pineapple plants in the ground, with 30,000 more on the way
1 hectare planted with Squash
2 hectares planted with Tomatoes and Eggplants
3 hectares planted with Peanuts

10,300 pili nut seedlings now planted, with many more continuously being developed from seeds in our nursery

Further, we have selected 2 hectare area and constructed a Fish Pond.

We continue on target with our plan to see our first revenues from crop harvesting coming in before the end of the year.