ONE NEW tomato variety that was showcased at the recent Urban Agriculture Trade Show was the Rugantino which is distributed by Allied Botanical Corporation headed by Michael Caballes, president.

This is an heirloom variety developed in Holland. The fruits weigh 150 to 200 grams, fleshy and tasty. Very good for salad, according to Weng Bienes of Allied.

The company also exhibited beautifully grown lettuce varieties that are as big as the head, coming in green and reddish purple. They also displayed micro-greens which are newly sprouted seeds of different vegetable seeds. Hot Jalapeño peppers as well as sweet peppers were also exhibited.

The Urban Agriculture Trade Show was organized by Agriculture Magazine of the Manila Bulletin, held on May 1-3 at the Rockwell Tent in Makati. The event was a big success, gauging from the big number of people who attended, not only from Metro Manila but as far as Zamboanga City, Dinagat Island in Mindanao and from the Visayas and Northern Luzon. Expect a second staging of the event in the future.