A Mokusaku (wood vinegar) facility has been successfully installed at the ATI-RTC-CAR Urban Agriculture site. The initiative was spearheaded by Mr. Charlie C. Sagudan, Center Director and Dr. Cristine B. Esnara, Partnership and Accreditation Section Chief, who requested the facility from the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) during a monitoring visit of cold storage and Mokusaku facilities in the region from September 17-19, 2024. The request was made through Mr. Sieya Yoshida, the JAEC Local Coordinator. JAEC approved the request and ensured the delivery of all materials was in full compliance with Mokusaku's design specifications.
The installation coincided with the JAEC training activity entitled “Training Workshop and Study Tour on JAEC Technology,” held at ATI-RTC-CAR on November 14, 2024. The event was attended by students, researchers, and farmers from Benguet State University. One of the topics covered was the installation of a Mokusaku facility, which was followed by a hands-on activity at the ATI Urban Agriculture Garden.
Mr. Sieya Yoshida and Mr. Wilfredo M. De Chavez, Chief Technical Guidance of JAEC, led participants through the installation process. Hollow blocks were used to construct the main casing of the housing facility. According to Mr. De Chavez, volcanic rock is the preferred material for Mokusaku plant housing due to its durability and ability to withstand the high temperatures of the smoke/gas generator. However, in the absence of volcanic rock, soil and gravel can serve as suitable alternatives.
All participants actively contributed by gathering necessary construction materials, digging soil from the Urban Garden, and placing it around the smoke generator until it was partially submerged.
Mokusaku is a Japanese technology that aids in the fermentation of compost materials. It suppresses harmful microorganisms while promoting the growth of beneficial ones. The organic compounds in Mokusaku serve as nutrients for plants and microorganisms, making it highly effective when applied to the soil through fertigation.
Mr. De Chavez explained to the participants that any burnable plant-based material can be used for Mokusaku production. Suitable materials include wood, coconut shells, bamboo, rice husks, dried weeds, grass, and other plants. Wild sunflower plants are particularly recommended due to their high nitrogen content and they are available everywhere.
When these organic materials are heated, their oils, juices, and other liquid components evaporate as vapor or steam (gas or smoke). This vapor passes through a cooling chamber, where it condenses into liquid form. The resulting liquid, known as "Mokusaku" in Japanese or wood vinegar, is then collected in a container.
To ensure its safety and effectiveness for use on plants, soil, and other applications, the Mokusaku should be stored in a cool, dark place with the container tightly sealed for 3–6 months before use.
Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and pine trees (specifically the species Pinus kesiya found in Benguet and Mt. Province) are not recommended for the production of mokusaku since these trees contain bioactive compounds with high toxicity levels. The neem tree contains several bioactive compounds that make it unsuitable for producing Mokusaku. These compounds can interfere with the traditional purposes of Mokusaku, such as soil conditioning and pest control, due to their potent biological activities.
Pine trees are not also recommended for Mokusaku production due to their high content of resins, terpenes (such as pinene), and phenolic compounds. These substances are highly volatile, can produce a harsh smell, and may lead to toxicity in plants and soil microbes, potentially disrupting the natural balance required for agricultural purposes.
In addition to the facility at ATI-RTC-CAR, the JAEC project has established several charcoal-Mokusaku plants in the Cordillera region, including sites in La Trinidad, Buguias, Tublay, and Baguio City. The installation and operation of the Mokusaku facility in the Center’s urban garden are guided by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between JAEC and ATI-CAR to ensure its full utilization.//Bongbong L. Buli-e, MPS II and Dr. Cristine B. Esnara, PAS Chief
