Noted pomologist writes book on orchard farming

Every Sunday Ka Bernie Dizon gives a free lecture on fruit tree propagation at the DENR-PAWB-Dizon Botanic Fruit Tree Garden at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, North Ave., Diliman, Quezon City, near the QMC (Quezon Memorial Center).

These lectures are now in book form titled "Practical Guide to Backyard and Orchard Farming."

In the foreword, Rep. Romeo L. Kintanar of the second district of Cebu wrote: "From now on we are using this book to highlight the compelling example Ka Bernie has made not only on me but also on the mayors of Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Bol joon Oslob, Santander, Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Alegria, Badian, Moalboal. Alcantara, Ronda, and Dumanajug.

"We will be using this book in our project as a handy and practical guide in the implementation in land preparation, varietal selection of the best mangoes, pummelos, lanzones, rambutan, grapes, mangosteen, lychees, ponkan, lanka, chicos and other high value fruits; fertilization, maintenance and management. It is comprehensive in subject matter and at the same time detailed enough on the basic technologies needed by the project participants.

"Finally, allow me to say a few words about Ka Bernie who has inspired the mayors of the second district as well as myself whose will surely improve the quality of life our people."

Another believer is lawyer Romeo T. Capulong. In the foreword, he wrote: " Mr. Bernardo O. Dizon, one of the country’s top pomologists, is credited with his more than 30 years practice in the field of fruit tree technology. A hands-on agricultural scientist, his numerous breakthroughs in the culture of grapes,durian, rambutan, mangosteen, lanzones, lychee, longan, imported and native mangoes, Davao pummelo and other work I am confident will eventually earn him the coveted status of a national treasure.

"Dizon lives on the simple commitment of sharing with his countrymen the benefit of his expertise and in so doing, he expects the government authorities to engage in large-scale exotic fruit tree farming, which is a dollar-earning industry. Where our neighboring country’s agricultural have learned their expertise from our agricultural school here. Sadly, the fruit tree industry in the Philippines lags far behind in productivity and sustainability."