Pole Sitao Farming in the Philippines: How to Grow Sitaw for Profit

December 7, 2023 by Lauro Braganza

Pole sitao farming is a highly profitable agribusiness due to its availability all year round all over the country.

Pole sitao is the most popularly produced vegetable among edible legumes because the pods, young shoots, as well as beans, are available throughout the year. It is grown in home gardens, on dikes around paddy fields, and under partially shaded areas as a companion crop or commercial crop.

Pole sitao (Vigna unquiculata subsp. Sesquipedales (L.) Verdc.) is sometimes known as asparagus bean, garter bean, snake bean, Chinese long bean, Yardlong bean (English); kacang panjang (Indonesian and Malaysian); tao-fak-yao (Thai); dau-dau (Vietnamese); dau-gok (Chinese); lobia (Hindi); and sasage (Japanese). In Tagalog, it is called sitaw (Waray), hantak (Waray), batong (Cebuano) and latuy (Marinduque).

A herbaceous crop, pole sitao has trifoliate leaves. The flowers are in pairs and are borne on the axils of the leaf, and vary in color according to the variety. The calyxes are usually green and purple. The pods, which are 30-60 cm long, hang in pairs and contain many seeds. They are either green, dark green, light green, or purple. It grows quickly and needs to be harvested every other day.

Why Pole Sitao Farming is Important

Pole sitao are rich in nutrients and offer several health benefits. They are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and vitamins A and C. Additionally, pole sitao contain phytonutrients that can help protect against chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

If you are looking to add pole sitao to your garden, it is important to select a variety that is well suited to your climate. Once you have chosen a variety, you will need to prepare the soil by loosening it with a rake or hoe. planting pole sitao is relatively simple and does not require much maintenance. With proper care, your plants should produce an abundance of fresh beans that can be enjoyed all summer long!

Pole sitao is a high-yielding crop that can be grown for profit. The main advantage of growing pole sitao for profit is the high yield potential. One plant can produce up to 10 pounds of beans per season. That’s a lot of beans!

Another advantage of growing pole sitao for profit is the low input costs. The vines are very tolerant of poor soils and require little fertilizer or pesticide inputs. Additionally, the plants are relatively drought resistant. These low input costs make pole sitao a very profitable crop to grow.

Pole Sitao Farming: Where to Source Quality Seedlings

There are a few options for sourcing quality seedlings. One option is to purchase them from a reputable nursery or garden center. Another option is to grow them yourself from seed. If you have the space and time, growing your seedlings can be a great way to save money.

If you decide to purchase your seedlings, be sure to inspect them closely before making your purchase. Avoid any plants that look sickly or have damaged leaves. It’s also a good idea to ask the staff at the nursery or garden center about the best time to plant pole sitao in your area.

Once you have your seedlings, it’s important to plant them as soon as possible. Pole sitao roots quickly, so if you wait too long to plant them, they may not take well to their new environment. When you’re ready to plant, dig holes that are twice as wide and deep as the root balls of your seedlings. Gently loosen the roots and place the plants in the holes, then backfill with soil and water well.

Preparing Land for Planting: Soil Quality, Fertilizers, etc.

It is essential to have quality soil when planting pole sitao. The soil should be loose and well-draining to allow the roots of the plant to grow properly. Fertilizers can also be added to the soil to help the plant grow. However, too much fertilizer can damage the plant. It is important to follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging carefully.

Weeding is also important when preparing land for planting. Weeds compete with plants for water and nutrients, so it is important to remove them before planting. This can be done by hand or with a weed whacker. Be sure to get all of the roots out so that they don’t regrow.

Mulching is also beneficial when preparing land for planting. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, which is especially helpful during hot summer months. It also helps prevent weeds from growing. There are many different types of mulch available, so choose one that best suits your needs.

Planting and Maintenance of Pole Sitao

Pole sitao is a type of long bean that is popular in Asian cuisine. It is often used in stir-fries and other dishes. Pole sitao is easy to grow and can be very profitable for farmers.

Before planting pole sitao, a trellis or teepee must be established to give the beans a base to grow around. For the teepee option, you will need to collect three long branches, or bamboo poles, that are roughly six to seven feet tall, and bind their tops together while spacing out their bottoms into a circle. Then when the vines start to come in, begin guiding them up the poles, encouraging them to climb up throughout the season.

To plant pole sitao, farmers should first prepare the soil. The soil should be loose and well-drained. Farmers should also add organic matter to the soil to help the plants grow.

Once the soil is prepared, farmers can plant the seeds. They should plant the seeds about 2 inches deep and 12 inches apart. After planting, farmers should water the seeds regularly.

Pole sitao plants will start to sprout in about two weeks. Once the plants are about 6 inches tall, farmers can thin them out so that they are about 3 feet apart. Farmers should continue to water the plants regularly.

Pole sitao is ready to harvest when the pods are about 4 inches long. To harvest, farmers simply cut the pods from the plant and then dry them in the sun or a dehydrator. Dried pole sitao can be stored for up to one year.

Harvesting, Storage, and Marketing of Pole Sitao

Pole sitao is typically harvested by hand after 4-6 months of growth.

Once harvested, pole sitao can be stored fresh or blanched and frozen for later use. Fresh pole sitao should be kept cool and moist to prevent wilting. When blanching before freezing, it is important to first plunge the vegetables into boiling water for 1 minute before quickly cooling them in ice water. This helps to preserve their color and texture. Properly stored, frozen pole sitao can last for 6-8 months without losing quality.

Pole sitao can be marketed as fresh, frozen, or canned. Fresh pole sitao is typically sold at wet markets or roadside stands, while frozen or canned pole sitao can be found in most supermarkets year-round. When marketing canned pole sitao, it is important to use high-quality products and follow food safety guidelines to ensure a safe and shelf-stable product.

Finally, you may download the pole sitao farming and production guide in PDF format here

Questions Related to Pole Sitao Farming

How is pole sitao produced in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, pole sitao is the most popularly produced vegetable among edible legumes because the pods, young shoots, as well as beans, are available throughout the year. It is grown in home gardens, on dikes around paddy fields, and under partially shaded areas as a companion crop or commercial crop.

What is the average yield of pole sitao in the Philippines?

Among the open pollinated varieties of bush sitao are BPI-Bs #1, BPI-Bs #2 and PSB-Bs #3 (Figure 1). PSB-Bs #3 is recommended for its good pod quality, light green color, longer pod length (24.4cm), early maturing, and an average yield of 8.96 tons per hectare. This variety is also moderately resistant to pests and diseases.

Is pole sitao directly planted?

Pole sitao is usually direct seeded but can be transplanted. It requires 10-12 kg of seed per hectare.

How many months to harvest Sitaw?

Sitaw is a high-value crop that can be produced within 50 to 65 days. This widely grown veggie is a popular ingredient in local dishes like adobong sitaw, pinakbet, and kare-kare. It is full of vitamins K and C, folic acid, protein, niacin, and more.

How long do pole beans take to grow?

About 60 to 70 days are required from seeding to the first harvest. Pole beans are usually harvested 5 times (occasionally as few as 3 or as many as 10), with about 3 to 5 days between harvests. Pole beans should be harvested before they get tough and woody; thus, timing is important.

How long do pole beans keep producing?

Bush beans produce in about 50 to 55 days; pole beans will take 55 to 65 days. Bush beans often come in all at once, so stagger your plantings every two weeks to get a continuous harvest. Pole beans need their vines to grow and will produce for a month or two if you keep harvesting.

What is the fertilizer of pole sitaw?

The general fertilizer recommendation for pole sitao is 135 kg/ha N, 135 kg/ha P2O5, and 112 kg/ha K2O. The rate may vary depending on the results of soil analysis.

What is the best month to plant sitaw in the Philippines?

Pole sitao is well suited in a warm climate at a temperature range of 20-35 C. It can thrive well under full sunlight although it can tolerate partial shading. A higher percentage of pod sets can be achieved when planted in May for the wet season and in October-November for the dry season.

What is the problem with pole sitao?

The only problem with pole sitao farming is that, the plant is disadvantageous during the water-logging and dry seasons. It can grow in all types of soil from sandy loam to clayey soil even in acidic soil. Prepare the land thoroughly.

Conclusion

Planting pole sitao is a great way to make money and it can be done in any climate. Following the steps outlined in this guide will help ensure that you get maximum profit from your planting efforts. Starting with selecting the right variety of sitao, preparing the soil properly, watering regularly, and harvesting at the right time are all essential elements for successfully growing pole sitao. With patience and attention to detail, you should have no problem cultivating a fruitful crop of pole sitao.