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© 2017Published by DA-ATI
Department of Agriculture
AGRICULTURAL TRAINING INSTITUTEREGIONAL TRAINING CENTER IISan Mateo and Cabagan, IsabelaPhilippines
January 2017
ISBN 978-971-9673-13-2
Beyond DreamsStories of Farming Champions of Region 02
Department of Agriculture
AGRICULTURAL TRAINING INSTITUTEREGIONAL TRAINING CENTER IISan Mateo and Cabagan, Isabela
2017
Beyond DreamsStories of Farming Champions of Region 02
Beyond Dreamsii
Message
Department of AgricultureAgricultural Training InstituteOffice of the Director
LUZ A. TAPOSOK, Ph.D.Director IV
M y greetings to the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center Region 02 (ATI-
RTC II) for coming up with this publication “Beyond Dreams: Stories of Farming Champions
of Region 02”.
Farmers are really champions. They have great roles in the existence of the Philippine population.
Despite all odds in farming especially the threats of calamities, they have to continue to produce
food, otherwise, every Filipino will be hungry.
Farmers have distinct practices in successfully venturing to farming. They have the indigenous way,
which they tested if helpful in increasing their yield. Others practice the advance method gained
from their attendance to trainings, seminars and the like. Others combined their good practices
with matured technologies. No matter what practices they have, all of these contributed to the
growth of agriculture and fishery.
I am happy to see farmers soaring high in achieving their aspirations in life. Other farmers did not
even realize they already achieved more - beyond their dreams. It is inspiring to see these people
striving hard not only for their families but for the whole nation.
It is just proper to recognize their efforts, their contributions in the development of agriculture and fishery. This publication is then appropriate to spread the successes of our champion farmers for other farmers to emulate.
Let us all join hands in improving the agriculture and fishery sector. Let us continue to empower our farmers and fisherfolk by providing them with good examples, appropriate resources and technical knowledge.
MABUHAY ANG MAGSASAKANG FILIPINO! MABUHAY ANG BANSANG PILIPINAS!
Beyond Dreams iii
Foreword
RENATO A. MAGUIGADTraining Center Superintendent II
M ajority of farmers have simple dreams. A good produce for sustenance of their family.
But they are not aware that they have done the noblest role for the nation. Producing
food for the whole populace and have contributed in the Philippine economy.
The ATI-RTC 02 endeavors to document and unfold their stories. We are happy then to present
this publication, “Beyond Dreams: Stories of Farming Champions of Region 02”. It unveils
secrets, distinct practices, experiences and successes in farming. It serves as a platform
in recognizing successful farmers and organizations in their own fields, as partners in the delivery of extension service and in their efforts of raising the bar of agriculture and fishery sector.
May this publication inspires readers particularly our farmers and organizations who aspire to
be successful agripreneurs. May our farmers pick lessons and insights from the experiences
of these farming champions.
Make use of this publication in exploring successful experiences in farming. We also encourage
you to continue acquiring more knowledge and skills in advancing your practices.
My gratitude goes to our farming champions for the cooperation in the process of documenting
their successful practices that made this publication a reality.
This is the first issue and looking forward to partner with other farmers or organizations who have the same successes in farming to unfold their stories for others to emulate.
Beyond Dreamsiv
Editor’s Note
MARIA NORMA G. MADDALORAEditor-in-Chief
F arming is the hardest work. The challenges and hazard issues facing farmers are real. It is a myriad of complexes to include
climate variability in excess of floods from typhoons and droughts that lead good harvests into losses. But Filipino farmers are resilient. They have to rise up and start all over again ignoring the pain of the past losses for want of continually
producing food for the nation. Whether in the city or in the countryside, farmers are the backbone of our food system.
Filipino farmer is a dying breed, they say, but young farmers are stepping up to answer the urgent call to feed our people in the
coming years. At ATI-RTC II, we truly believe that in order to scale up sustainability, we must invest on youth with a passion in
farming. There is an incredible spirit of collaboration and sharing among the young farmers gleaned from their shared success
stories in their farming endeavors. Women also play a vital role in farming with guarantee of providing livelihoods to the family,
especially in rural areas. As a result of their great efforts in agricultural production, women’s productive endeavors help to ensure self-sustenance from farm to the table of Filipino families.
We have heard many stories about the innovative things the farmers, the youth and the women are doing to survive in the
current food landscape. The stories described their loss, tragedy and sweet victories in the pursuit of their dreams.
In this book, we want to pay special tribute to the champion farmers, youth and women who have survived life’s odds by sharing their stories in the light of making others from their league learn from their experiences and thus, replicating their victories.
The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center Region 02, one of the network centers of ATI, the training and extension
arm of the Department of Agriculture, feel blessed to have spent years putting a spotlight on their hard work.
This book is also a way to express appreciation to the Agricultural Extension Workers who have dedicated their lives as partners
in helping the featured champions pursue their dreams.
The Management and staff of the ATI-RTC Region 02 dedicate this book to all the farmers and other stakeholders of Region 02.
Beyond Dreams v
Table of Contents
1
5
11
15
19
25
33
39
45
51
55
59
For Want of Service
Chosen Instrument of Change
Continuing the Legacy of a Farmer
Persistency Rewards
Modeling IDOFS as a Strategy to Win the Battle of Rebellion
The Resiliency of a Woman Farmer in Rice Farming
The Weight of Silence: A Noise of Triumph
It Pays to Innovate
Farming as a Science, Business and an Art
Many means Money
From Depression to Passion
Inspired to Inspire
Beyond Dreams 1
For Want of ServiceThe Story of Bagahabag 4H Club2016 Regional Gawad Saka Awardee for Most Outstanding Young Farmer Organization
I n unity there is strength, the adage goes. They may differ in many things, but their hopes and visions fused them as one.
Barangay Bagahabag has the most number of out-of-school youth (OSY) in the
municipality of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. Agriculture is the main economic activity in
the barangay. Thus, the out-of-school youth are familiar in farming activities. They
are the partners of their parents in farming rice, corn, vegetables, cassava and sweet
potato. They are also raising livestock and poultry.
by Maria Norma G. Maddalora
Beyond Dreams2
In December 5, 2010, 28 out-of-school-youth (OSY) from
Barangay Bagahabag in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya was organized
as Bagahabag 4H Club by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist in LGU Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.
The Bagahabag 4H Club did not fail its members in providing
opportunities for learning and development. The youth had
undergone series of social preparations such as meetings,
follow-ups, and trainings to harness their skills and knowledge.
These learning activities encouraged and motivated them to
commit themselves in the organization and eventually engage
in development endeavors.
Each member is engaged in backyard vegetable gardening.
In addition, they also manage a communal fruits & vegetable
production project in a 1000 square meters area lent to them
by Mr. Mario P. Gaco in 2013. The area’s 700 square meters were planted with 120 papaya trees while the remaining
area was cultivated for vegetables such as mustard, pechay,
green pepper, and eggplant. They were also into communal
swine production with one head sow. For the vegetable and
swine enterprise, the club was able to gain a net income of
P11, 680.00 and P15, 971.50 in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Their income was plowed back in their funds to operate and
maitain their communal garden and piggery.
With the notable performance of the club, the barangay
officials tapped the youth as their partners in the development endeavors of the community. The members of the Club
became actively involved in the clean and green program,
community beautification, anti-drugs, anti-smoking and anti-premarital sex advocacy campaign, sports and recreation
The Bagahabag 4H Club did not fail its
members in providing opportunities
for learning and development.
Beyond Dreams 3
activities of the barangay. They likewise promote solid wastes
management by practicing vermi-composting in their homes
to efficiently manage farm wastes. They use the organic fertilizer produced from their vermi-composting projects in
their gardens and farms.
The outstanding performance of the Club in project
management was recognized by supporting agencies
especially the Agricultural Training Institute- Regional
Training Center Region 02 and the Local Government Unit
of Solano. Their proposal was approved and was granted a
soft loan amounting to P50,000.00 from the ATI’s Livelihood Development Assistance Program. Out of this amount, 20
members were benefited through a relending scheme with out-of-school-youth as priority given with livelihood assistance
by the Club. These member-beneficiaries invested their loans
in backyard swine production, goat production and food
processing.
Capitalizing on the club’s commitment and dedication, the Local Government Unit of Solano awarded them a cattle
dispersal project amounting to P50,000.00 and range chicken
dispersal amounting to P20,000.00 in December 2015. Two
out-of-school youth members were benefited with one-head of cow each and 10 members were given with range chicken
dispersal for production.
The spirit of mutual-help flourish among the Club members as they share 20% of their income from individual enterprise to
the Club’s general fund so that other members could likewise be benefited with livelihood projects.
Beyond Dreams4
More members were encouraged to join the Club as they were
motivated by the commitment and eagerness of the members
to share their selfless services in building a community of proactive youth. Today, membership of the Club increased
from 28 to 45 proactive youth.
“Hindi naging matagumpay ang organisasyon naming mga
kabataan kung hindi dahil sa tulong ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno
na mapalawak ang aming kaalaman at kaisipan at mapatatag
ang aming kakayahan upang magampanan ng tama ang aming
mga tungkulin,” expressed Cindy Dumlao, the president of the
Club. Through the years, they have developed strong linkage
and partnership with the Provincial and Municipal Local
Government Units, the ATI-RTC II, the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of
Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 in harnessing their capabilities and strengthening their competencies.
The Club’s successful achievement was finally recognized and they received the Gawad Saka Most Outstanding Young
Farmer Organization in the provincial and regional level.
Now, the hopes and visions that united the Bagahabag 4H
Club six years ago continue to flourish not only to its members but to the whole community.
Beyond Dreams 5
The Story of Nature Friendly Club (NFC)
Chosen Instrument of Change
M arobbob is one of the forty seven barangays of Amulung,
Cagayan located within the Agro-forestry zone of the
municipality. Its main sources of livelihood are agriculture
and forestry. But, it has the most number of out-of-school-
youth. The distance of the National High School, the inadequate
transport facilities and lack of financial support constrain the youth to continue to study. Hence, they are bound to help their
parents in the farm.
2015 National Gawad Saka Awardee for Most Outstanding Young Farmer Organization
by Maria Norma G. Maddalora
Beyond Dreams6
The Challenge
Barangay Captain and Volunteer Leaders Association of
the Philippines (VLAP) member, Achilles Lorenzana was
very much concerned about the plight of the youth. He
decided to mobilize the youth in instituting development
initiatives in the barangay. He envisioned a community
of young and dynamic farmers equipped with knowledge,
skills and proper attitudes to serve and develop their
community. He firmly believes that the strength and power to institute development is by organizing the youth
and capitalizing on their youthful strengths and dynamism
and become productive individuals.
The Action
Barangay Captain Lorenzana sought the assistance of the
Municipal and Provincial Local Government in organizing
the youth in his barangay. Series of meetings were
conducted to orient the youth on 4H Organization, the
by-laws, practices and importance of organizing. Then,
in June 10, 2010, the Nature Friendly Club was organized
with an initial membership of 28 out-of-school-youth.
After they have been organized, series of social
preparations and capability enhancement activities were
conducted to prepare the youth for the challenging roles
Beyond Dreams 7
they would undertake. Barangay Captain Lorenzana lent
his one (1) hectare farm to the Club for their communal
project and encourage them to develop the farm as source
of their livelihood.
Armed with technical skills and proper motivation, the
members started an initial income generating project on
communal vegetable production in 2010 utilizing ¼ of the 1
hectare farm lent to them by Brgy. Capt. Lorenzana. Farm
inputs were sourced out from the Municipal Agriculture
Office.
The Realization of the Vision
Active involvement of the youth was observed in the
development of their communal garden. They shared
their time, resources and efforts. Then, at harvest, the youth were so happy to see the fruits of their labor. They
were encouraged by the success in the implementation of
their first production trial. In the succeeding season, they expanded into mungo production in another ¼ area of the
1-hectare farm lent to them. Both vegetable and mungo
farming initiatives were successful. It generated income of
P11,215.00 in 2011for the club.
In the succeeding year, the club was in full swing in the
implementation of their projects. More enterprises were
added like corn production, vegetable seed production,
tamarind candy making, T-shirt printing and sari-sari store.
They used their income from previous cropping to expand
their enterprises. The youth have learned to become
enterprising individuals, providing for their daily needs.
“Improving the life of the youth by creating a community of young and dynamic farmers equipped with the
knowledge and proper attitudes to serve and develop their
community”
Beyond Dreams8
To help advocate greening and beautification in the barangay, the youth replicated their communal project
in their backyard gardens and along-side of the streets
in their purok. Their parents were happy to see their
children actively involved in the development of their
barangay. “Mas mabuti na yung nakikita naming sila na
nagpapaganda sa paligid ng aming barangay kaysa makita
namin sila na nagtatambay lang o nagsusugal,” said one of
the parents. The youth were able to influence their parents to become their partners in project implementation. As
a manifestation of committed support, their parents
organized themselves into a community working group.
The barangay officials of Marobbob acknowledged the contribution of the Club in community development. The
youth have been their partner in the implementation
of development programs and activities such as sports
festival, clean and green initiatives, road beautification, solid waste management, information drive, nutrition
program, vaccination and animal treatment. “Natanggal
na sa amin bilang responsibilidad ang mga activities na
ito sapagkat ang mga kabataan na ang gumagawa nito”,
claimed Brgy. Captain Lorenzana. The barangay officials likewise claimed that the problem of youth delinquency
and trouble-making have not been observed since the
club was organized.
The Changes in Priorities
The youth developed concern for the environment. They
decided to manage their farm wastes and convert it into
fertilizer for their crops. Hence, they established their own
Beyond Dreams 9
vermi and compost fungust activator (CFA) composting
projects.
They likewise became concerned with their welfare. One
of their remarkable achievements was their initiative of
providing Accident Insurance benefits to all members including their family members, utilizing some of their
income from various enterprises. The once out-of-school-
youth were encouraged to go back to school. The Club
provides for their transportation allowances by selling
vegetables, vegetable seeds and tamarind candy in offices and in school.
Avenues of support
The successes of the Nature Friendly Club in managing
their livelihood projects provided avenues for support
agencies to assist them in their development endeavors.
The Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training
Center Region 02 approved their proposal and granted
them a soft loan of P50,000.00 from the ATI’s Livelihood Development Assistance Program in 2011. The club used
the fund in establishing their goat project, the biggest
investment the club ever had. Inclusive of the support were
series of livelihood trainings given to them by ATI-RTC II to
equip them with the needed capabilities in managing their
project. The project has grown from the initial stock of 11
heads to 49 heads. They have sold some of their stocks to
pay the seed money lent to them.
The Municipal and Provincial LGUs and the Department
of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 provided them
Beyond Dreams10
with free inputs for their crops and continuous technical
assistance and monitoring.
The Reward of Hard Work
The exemplary performance of the club gained recognition
from various agencies. From the year 2012 to 2014,
the Club had received awards and rewards as Best 4H
Club organization in the municipality, Gawad Saka Most
Outstanding Young Farmer Organization in the Provincial
and regional level and finally received the most coveted award in 2015 which is the National Gawa Saka Most
Outstanding Young Farmer Organization.
Today, the Nature friendly 4H Club has a total membership
of 69 and still continuing to inspire and draw interest of
other youth to become part of community development
activities. Indeed, the youth is a strong instrument in
empowering the people towards proactive and self-reliant
community.
Beyond Dreams 11
The Story of Denmark A. Centeno
Continuing the legacy of a farmer
“F ilipino farmer is not a dying breed,” he said, as he
talked with his fellow out-of-school youth during
their meeting to encourage them.
He did not finish a course in agriculture, but he fulfilled his dream of becoming an agriculturist by practice.
2016 National Gawad Saka Awardee for Most Outstanding Young Farmer
by Maria Norma G. Maddalora and Vladimir B. Caliguiran
Beyond Dreams12
His beginnings
A child born to both farmer-laborers, Denmark A. Centeno,
19 years of age, of Taguntungan, Baggao, Cagayan was
inspired of becoming an agriculturist through his parents’ influence. Mark, as they fondly call him, graduated from high school in 2014. Unluckily, he was not able to continue
his college education due to economic hindrances.
Instead, he helped his parents in the farm. Through strong
determination even with limited skills and resources,
Mark endured hard physical works in the farm to help
his parents earn their living and to gain experiences in
farming. Armed with faith, courage and persistence, their
economic status was not a hindrance for Mark in achieving
his goals of becoming a successful agriculturist. Later,
farming became more of Mark’s interest and affection. He decided to focus on it and devote himself to the craft as
his source of living.
His initiatives in nurturing his passion
He started full time farming in 2012 with 0.75 ha rice land
shared by his parents to manage by himself. As he operates
his farm, he involved himself to learn different farming techniques that can benefit him. He actively participated in farmers’ classes and technical briefings conducted by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist of Baggao. He likewise sought information from other institutions and
from readings of agriculture-related books, pamphlets,
brochures and magazines. He likewise attended trainings
conducted by ATI-RTC region 02 and other agencies which
greatly contributed to his desire to improve and expand
Beyond Dreams 13
his farming enterprises to include fishpond, livestock and poultry and agro-forest farming. Aside from trainings he
attended, Mark continues to learn to become innovative
by exchanging ideas and technologies with his fellow
young farmers and experienced successful farmers in the
neighborhood. He was inspired by the motivation of his
uncle, Mr. Florendo Martin, the MAFC Chairman and VLAP
member, to work hard and be a model to fellow young
farmers.
His drive and innovativeness
Mark’s innovativeness continuously drives him to look for new and good practices that can be applied in his farm for
continual improvement of yield and income. He obtained
good yield and income from his three-fourth of a hectare
land. From then on, his parents totally entrusted to him
the management of the 3.58 hectares farm they inherited
from their ancestors. Mark is practicing the rice-based
integrated farming system. He devoted his area into
various farm enterprises such as 2.0 ha. rice, three-fourth
ha corn, 500 sq.m. fishpond, 300 sq. m. vegetables and 500 sq. m. fruit and forest trees. He likewise raised poultry,
swine and goat as integration.
Mark utilizes locally-available and environment-friendly
farm inputs in his farm. He practices natural farming.
He established a vermi-composting project turning rice
straw and different animal manures into organic fertilizer for his farm. He also applies natural farming inputs like
fermented fruit juice (FFJ), Fish/Kuhol Amino Acid (FAA)
and Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) on his crops.
Sharing his vision
“Farmer-parents don’t want their children to become farmers thinking that farming is associated with poverty,”
Mark observed. This perception worries Mark, according
to him, sooner or later there will be a shortage of food
producers— the farmers and the food.
Mark envisioned to be a model of the youth in their
barangay. He has not only strived to succeed in farming.
He has also shown his leadership skills with fellow young
farmers. He was elected President of Namnama 4H Club
of Barangay Taguntungan, Baggao in 2013. “The value of
agriculture lies in the hands of the youth,” he proudly and
confidently emphasized. As the name of their club implies, Mark believes that they are the ‘namnama,’ (Iloko word for hope) of agriculture.
As a leader, he actively leads his members in community
development such as clean and green program, tree
planting and other agriculture-related community
activities. He likewise leads the youth in the barangay
to participate in sports and other cultural activities of
the barangay. He also participates in similar activities
conducted by the Municipal 4H Federation.
As a change agent, Mark has been a faithful partner of the
Barangay Council and the Municipal Agriculture Office in disseminating information and technology. He taught and
shared his experiences and skills in farming enterprise with
other farmers and youth using his own farm as a learning
site in all his innovations. He is likewise a strong advocate
Beyond Dreams14
of Organic Agriculture wherein he is promoting the use
of organic fertilizer, natural farming inputs, integrated
pests management and zero waste management. He
also promotes farm safety and environmental protection
awareness.
Reaping the fruits of his labor
In 4 years of farming and as a model
young farmer, he is now reaping
the fruits of his labors. In 2015, he
earned a remarkable income of
P130,970.00 and P91,395.00 from
his 2 hectare rice farm during the
dry and wet cropping seasons,
respectively. Also, his ¾ hectare
corn field provided him an income of P22,100.00 during the dry
season and P11,300.00 during the
wet season. While he also netted
P49,300.00 from his vegetables,
livestock and fruit trees. With his
income, he was able to put up
a new house for his family. He
likewise invested the rest of his
income in the expansion of his
enterprises.
“Ang tagumpay sa pagsasaka ay hindi mangyayari sa
magdamag lamang. Araw-araw ay panibagong ekspiriensya
ang idudulot. Kailangan lamang na maging matatag,
matiyaga, mapagtuklas at mapursige tayo. Kailangan din ang
pagaaral at pagiging bukas sa pagtanggap ng kaalaman upang
magkaroon tayo ng sandata sa pagbabago,” he attested.
His humble contributions in propelling the development of
his community were recognized by the Barangay Council of
Taguntungan and awarded him a Certificate of Recognition for his invaluable support in barangay development
programs. He was also awarded a Certificate of Recognition as the Most Outstanding Young
Farmer in the Municipality
of Baggao in 2015. Likewise,
he was adjudged as the Most
Outstanding Young Farmer
in the province of Cagayan in
2015. Mark finally achieved the highest honor accorded to
a young farmer-- the Gawad
Saka National Outstanding
Young Farmer given in 2016.
“We should not be
discouraged, but to prove
that Filipino young farmer,
is not a dying breed,” he
proudly said.
He may have not learned agriculture from a university, but
his experience as a dedicated young farmer taught him
the ABCs of farming. For him, being an agriculturist is not
only finishing the college degree, but more importantly, it’s the degree that can be achieved through dedication, commitment and passion to the industry.
Beyond Dreams 15
The Story of Rovelle P. Mendoza
Persistency Rewards
Only the noise of running spring water was heard as we
entered the beautiful and heart-calming agro-eco park
at Rovelle’s farm. At the entrance, the beautiful spring waterfalls lagoon which Rovelle created will encourage tourists
to strike creative poses for the camera, capturing the vibrant
waterfalls.
“My two fishponds were washed out…all my fruit trees and banana trees were smashed down… My only sow died including my two does. I was so dismayed, I thought I couldn’t rebuild my farm again”, Rovelle narrated. But how he was able to rebuild this
beautiful farm, was the question. With the usual childish smile,
he noded and explained. “With the help of my parents and my
brothers and sisters we were able to build my farm again. My
reward in winning the Regional Gawad Saka Search in 2013 also
helped a lot in financing the needed inputs for my project”, he added. “With it, I was able to repair my fishponds, bought one draft carabao, leased half hectare rice land and invested in a small
sari-sari store which is being managed by my mother,” he said.
2015 National Gawad Saka Awardee
for Most Outstanding Young Farmer
by Maria Norma G. Maddalora
Beyond Dreams16
Rovelle has developed his farm into a more intensified, integrated, and diversified farm. His dream of making it an agro-eco-tourism park has been fulfilled. A family or barkada can go for recreation trip in his farm. Visitors
can enjoy hook line fishing of tilapia in his well-stocked fishponds and have it cooked for lunch with matching fresh pinakbet vegetables.
Rovelle’s dream is to become a full-fledge teacher. He was born from a family of poor farmer. He has to work with
his parents in the farm and get part time farm labor in
neighboring farms to be able to go to school. Through his
persistence and hard work he was able to graduate with
a degree in Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
But becoming a full fledge teacher was never fulfilled because he didn’t make it in the Licensure Exam for Teachers twice. So, instead of nurturing his frustrations,
he spent his time helping his parents in the farm. As he
did fulltime farm works, he gradually developed his love
of farming. Recalling his frustrations, he said, “There are
dreams that are just not meant for us and aspirations that
are just too wild to be caught”.
He started his own farming enterprise in 2008 with 500 sq.
meters of rice land borrowed from his brother. At first he experienced difficulties with high cost of inputs but minimal yield. He said, farming is not a good livelihood if this is
the plight of a farmer. But instead of being discouraged,
he used his resourcefulness and initiatives. He sought for
better techniques in farming through reading, searching
from the internet and asking information from the office of the Municipal Agriculturist. Being a receptive person, he is
“There are dreams that
are just not meant for us and
aspirations that are just too wild to
be caught.”
Beyond Dreams 17
a constant attendee in farmers’ classes in their barangay. He applied the techniques learned in developing his farm.
He began to diversify his farm by planting various kinds of
vegetables and fruit trees, developed two (2) fish ponds and raised pigs, poultry and goats utilizing his income from
his part time farm labor. With his diversified enterprises he now realized that even a small area can produce good
yield and give quite good income. He said, his fishpond gave him a promising income than his other enterprises.
However, his vegetables and poultry enterprises supply
the daily table needs of their family.
An opportunity came when the adjacent lot of his father’s farm was offered by the owner for purchase. Perceiving it as an opportunity to expand his projects, he said, he asked
the help of his brother to purchase the lot. He now has
a total area of 1,516 sq. meters for diversified integrated
farm. He continuously developed the farm establishing
additional four (4) fishponds and planting more trees and vegetables.
While continuously developing his farm, he searched for
innovations to further improve his projects. He made
himself available in invitations for the series of trainings
from the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training
Center Region 02 for the development of the 4H Club
organization. Because of his leadership, his organization
gained the confidence of ATI-RTC 02 and became a recipient of the ATI’s Livelihood Enhancement Program fund amounting to P50,000.00. Rovelle was one among
the benefited members to avail soft loan from this program. He invested his loan in a piggery project and
became successful even after it was hit by the typhoon.
Because he is an active officer of the Mabnang 4H Club
Beyond Dreams18
organization and the Federation of 4H Club in Claveria, he
was one of the chosen few who were sent for an expository
tour at Batangas conducted by the ATI-RTC 02.
All his learnings and experiences in trainings and tours
were not put to waste in Rovelle’s hands but were applied in his farm. To lessen his cost of production, he produces
Natural Farming Inputs like Fermented Plant Juice,
Fermented Fruit Juice and Fish/Kuhol Amino Acid and uses
it as organic-fertilizers for his crops. He established vermi-
composting project for his farm wastes and produces
organic fertilizer for his crops. He said, he is also using
Effective Microorganism solution in his piggery and poultry house for sanitation and to suppress foul odor. This was
probably the reason why you don’t smell foul odor when you stay in the farm although he has around 6 heads of
fatteners in his piggery. The farm of Rovelle eventually
became a Learning Site for young farmers. He received
P50,000.00 from ATI-RTC 02 which he used in establishing
a learning kiosk.
The farm is a haven for resting. The ambience is so
relaxing. There was no space wasted. All spaces were
optimally utilized. Rovelle proudly explained pointing to
his resources, “everything in here is useful. Wastes of
my animals and residues of my crops are processed into
organic fertilizers for my crops. I make natural farming
inputs out of my crops as bio fertilizers and as feeds for
my animals. I maximized the use of the free flowing water with fishponds and created diversions to serve as irrigation for my crops”, he said. Truly his crops are well watered.
Ms. Roselle Agcaoili, an AT of Claveria happily declares
that “Rovelle is very active in community service in their
barangay. Rovelle is an effective partner of the Barangay Council mobilizing the youth to participate in sports
activities, cultural activities, cleaning, greening and tree
planting activities in their barangay,” she said. “He led
the youth in rehabilitating one (1) ha watershed area of
Mabnang by planting forest trees and fruit trees,” she
added.
The Municipal Agriculturist of Claveria, Ms. Marilyn P.
Dalire, testified that Rovelle is their active partner in the conduct of local trainings, farmers’ classes and meetings. She said, Rovelle is an effective change agent because he teaches and shares his own experiences and skills in
farming using his farm as his own learning site in all of his
innovations.
No doubt, Rovelle deserves all the awards he reaped. He
was awarded the Gawad Saka Outstanding Young Farmer
in the region in the year 2014 and 2015 and vied for the
National Gawad Saka Search for Outstanding Young
Farmer which he finally achieved in 2015.
At the age of 28, Rovelle had already proven his worthy
share in community service and in upholding the youth’s dignity as partners in rural development. When we asked
him, what can he say about his achievements? He humbly
said, “Success is a ladder that can’t be climbed with your hands on your pocket”.
Beyond Dreams 19
The Story of Col. Francisco D. Millare
Modeling IDOFS as a Strategy to Win the Battle of Rebellion
“A ng tagumpay ay nasa taong matiyaga at masipag,”
I heard him say with authority. It was our first encounter with this tough man with principle.
Battalion Commander, 77th IB-CADRE Batallion, Philippine Army
by Maria Norma G. Maddalora
Beyond Dreams20
We were apprehensive at first. All we thought Col. Francisco D. Millare is a military man who is difficult to approach like other military officials we have encountered. But he is a very approachable person. He is the 42nd Commanding
Officer of the 77th Infantry Battalion- CADRE Batallion of the Philippine Army. Despite his position, he shows
enthusiasm in dealing with ordinary people. The words
that come out from him echo his personality as a man
of action. Wherever he is assigned for work, he always
leaves a legacy - converting an idle land into a beautiful
and productive workplace utilizing the available local and
natural resources around without added cost to ensure
sustainable supply of food for his troop.
The paradise-like “Integrated Diversified Organic Farming System (IDOFS)” project located in the heart
of Camp Melchor dela Cruz was executed through the
industriousness, initiative and creativity of Col. Francisco
D. Millare. This is the first organic farm found inside a military base of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said
Col. Millare. High ranking officials of the Philippine Army visit the project often and are very proud that a project like
this is being established inside a military base, he added.
This 5-hectare IDOFS project is found in the 500-hectare
vacant area of the military base at Camp Melchor dela Cruz
of the Philippine Army in Upi, Gamu, Isabela. This weedy
and unproductive area was transformed into lush green
and very productive farm in consonance with Republic
Act 10068 or the Organic Act of 2010. Aiming to have a
safe and healthy food for the star troopers of Col Millare,
the production practices in different components of the project are organic. The components include production
“This is the first organic farm found inside a military
base of the Armed Forces of the Philippines”
Beyond Dreams 21
of organic vegetables, organic chicken, organic swine
and integration of fruit trees designed in a multi-storey
cropping.
Ensuring maximum utilization of available resources
in the area and following the OA Act, the Ecological
Waste Management is practiced wherein all wastes
in the camp are properly managed sustaining the
cleanliness and orderliness of the surroundings of
the 77th IB. All households and farm wastes are piled
in a prepared wastes bin and allowed to naturally
decompose. Non-biodegradable materials such as glass
bottles, cans and plastics also have their bins separated
from the biodegradable materials. Aside from natural
decomposition of wastes, vermi-composting project is
also one of the components. Produced composts are
used to fertilize the vegetable crop.
With creativity and artistry, this paradise-like nest of the
77th IB soldiers was enhanced with ornamental plants
and structures that attract visitors to visit the area and
enjoy its beauty with fresh air, chirping birds and other
creatures around that bring relaxation.
Surprisingly, in barely eight months upon the assumption to
duty of Col. Millare as 77th Infantry Battalion Commander,
the project was accomplished with his troopers marching
and transforming the landscape into organic agriculture.
As you go around, fruit trees were first established. Being a Commander, not contented of just seating and
supervising his troop to do the work, instead, he led the
troop in clearing the area and planted fruit trees like
banana, papaya, coconut, jackfruit, rambutan, santol,
katuray, among others. Col. Millare sees to it that they are
Beyond Dreams22
not just simply planting everywhere but applied his artistic
ability, thus he creatively designed it in a multi-storey
cropping for attraction and maximum utilization of space.
On the other hand, the production of organic vegetables,
organic swine and organic chicken started when Col.
Millare requested training on Organic Farming for the
CAFGU from the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional
Training Center in Region 2 (ATI-RTC 02). With his good
objectives, his request was immediately approved by
Center Director Renato A. Maguigad.
As a result, four batches of training on Organic Agriculture
were conducted for the 268 CAFGUs and 30 officials of the 77th IB. Mr. Ricky Valdez facilitated the trainings at the
same time the resource speaker with the supervision of
Dr. Jimmy Abarabar, the Organic Agriculture Focal Person
of ATI-RTC 02. For participants to really appreciate and
practically understand the technical inputs in organic
farming, hands-on exercises were conducted in the
preparation of natural farming inputs and organic fertilizer
production with the participants.
Immediately after the conduct of the four batches of
training, the participants put into action what they have
learned in the training. They cleared the area and prepared
it thoroughly ready for crop establishment. They also
established a range area for native organic pig project and
organic native chicken project.
As after training support, the ATI-RTC 02 provided vermi-
worms to the group to start their vermi-composting
project. They were also provided with 20 bags of vermi-
compost for their organic vegetable production, vegetable
seeds and planting materials for animal feeds.
To continuously enhance the project, the Department of
Agriculture - Cagayan Valley Research Center (DA-CVRC)
also supported the project by providing materials like
vegetable seeds and technical support. Likewise, the
Provincial Veterinary Office and Provincial Agriculture Office of Isabela provided native pigs and native chickens.
With his passionate pursuits, after eight months of
establishing the paradise-like farm inside the 77th IB, it
started to gain popularity. “National Officials of the AFP when they visited us were amazed when they saw the
transformation done inside the Camp”, Col. Millare said.
He proudly stressed that whenever high ranking national
officials of the country visit the 5th Infantry Division, they always bring them to 77th IB and show them the project
with pride to their visitors. He said, the officials suggested that the same project should also be replicated in other
detachments or battalions in the country and various
stakeholders.
It became the local tourist destination in the region. It is
the favorite site of Lakbay-aral for the Local Government
Units staff and visitors and students of State Colleges and the Department of Education. It is also frequently visited
by private organizations such as Senior Citizens and
religious organizations.
To concretize the learnings during trainings conducted by
Beyond Dreams 23
Beyond Dreams24
ATI-RTC 02 and to encourage participants to replicate the
project in their respective homes or farms, the ATI-RTC
02 staff brought their participants in the IDOFS project to actually observe the implementation of Integrated
Diversified Organic Farming System they have learned from the training.
With much gratitude, Col. Millare proudly acknowledged
the support of ATI-RTC 02 and other participating agencies
and organizations. “It is a dream come true,” he sighed.
The project is still continuously monitored by ATI-RTC
02 as one of its assisted learning sites. More technical
assistance have been provided and trainings have been
conducted in support to the project such as “Internal
Control System” to prepare them for the second party
Certification as Organic Farm. It didn’t take them long to finally receive their second party certification by Ecoland on February 28, 2015. The farm is now a certified organic farm.
It was indeed amazing and incredible, with his fascination
in agriculture in just eight months, different components of the project have been in placed. It was really the
“Midas touch” that made it happened. Brilliant mind,
industriousness, perseverance and creativity crafted
into one, in the person of Col. Francisco D. Millare. He
acknowledged the cooperation and dedication of the
CAFGUs and the soldiers in his jurisdiction that made this
paradise dream come true which indeed offers a sanctuary for organic lovers.
“Ang proyekto ay modelo ng organikong pagsasaka na
nagbibigay pag-asa sa mga tao upang hindi mamundok; upang
matugunan ng positibong pamamaraan ang paghihimagsik;
at upang manaig ang kapayapaan at hindi upang manalo
sa digmaan. Sapagkat naniniwala tayo na kapag busog ang
tao ay hindi namumundok,” a message that touch anyone’s heart from a dedicated patriot.
Beyond Dreams 25
The Resiliency of a Woman Farmerin Rice FarmingThe Story of Juana Guitering
“T he role of men and women in establishing a family
and earning for a living is just equal,” Manang
Juaning said. More often, women are considered
housewives and usually left home to do the household chores
and rearing the children. But Manang Juaning claims, women
are now empowered and even resilient especially in rice
farming.
Juana B. Guitering, 60 years old, a resident of Aggugaddan,
Peñablanca, Cagayan is married to Irineo Guitering. The
couple is actively involve in farming. They have delineated
responsibilities wherein Manang Juaning manages their rice-
based integrated farm while Mang Deyong is responsible of
their corn farm.
PhilCCAP Learning Site Cooperator
by Claris M. Alaska
Beyond Dreams26
How She Started
Farming is a way of life to Manang Juaning. When she got
married to Mang Deyong, planting vegetables in their
backyard became her daily routine. She believes that couples
are partners in establishing a family and in providing for the
family needs. First hour in the morning, she does gardening
and harvests vegetables for their home consumption. She
sells excess of her harvest to neighbors. “We already have
fresh vegetables from the backyard for our food, and when I
go home from selling, I already have some amount to buy for
our other daily needs,” Manang Juaning happily expressed.
She also set aside an amount for their savings every time she
and her husband have earnings.
After few years, when the couple have accumulated savings,
they started to invest. They bought a hectare corn farm in
1976 in Aggugaddan where their house was built.
They patiently relied on rain for their corn production for
years. Expectedly, they could not operate in perfect timing
in a good weather. Sometimes, they have a good harvest but
most of the time they experienced low yield where they could
hardly gain income. Her husband directly managed the corn
farm while she managed their vegetable garden and livestock.
The Transformation
Their struggle in timing of farming operation ended when
the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) constructed
an irrigation system near their corn farm. That started
the conversion of the farm to rice area and the transfer of
Beyond Dreams 27
coconut, mango and banana, a backyard piggery and poultry,
and the rest of the farm area is devoted for palay as the main
crop.
She was able to develop the farm as an ideal vacation site or
family picnic site. Guests could experience the very relaxing
ambience of cool, fresh air. Added value that the guests could
also experience is picking fresh vegetables and fishing from her fishpond.
Farming as a Business
Manang Juaning considers farming as a business. She counts
every component she invests in her farm as an enterprise
and sustainable source of livelihood. Rice farming is her main
crop. To maximize the space, time and other resources, she
integrated it with vegetable garden, fishpond, piggery and poultry. While waiting for the harvest season of her palay, she
management of the farm to Manang Juaning. Other corn
farms they have invested are still being managed by her
husband.
Gradually, Manang Juaning developed the farm into a rice-
based integrated farm. Her husband, and her children who are
still in school during that time, helped her developed the farm
with her free will to strategize how the farm would become in
the succeeding years. It took years to convert the farm from
monocropping to integrated farming. As she continued to
develop the farm, she gradually accumulated her neighboring
farmers’ farm. Now, she has a total farm area of 2.5 hectares.
The farm composes of different production components. Situated in the forefront of the farm is their house where
she and her husband and four children reside. A vegetable
garden with an area of 200-square meters, a fishpond with an area of 2,500 square meters, a small orchard planted with
Beyond Dreams28
could sell vegetables, tilapia, chicken and livestock to sustain
the needs of the family. She learned to market her produce in
the local market. The farm integrations sustained the needs
of the family for food without spending their income from
palay and livestock. She believes that with the integrated
farm, she has assurance of a good harvest and better income
in spite of any weather condition.
Manang Juaning maximizes the use of all available resources
in the farm. During harvest of palay, she grazes her chicken
and ducks in the area to feed on the grasses, worms and
palay drop-offs in the paddy. She uses rice straw for mulching her vegetables and as substrates for her vemi-composting
project. She established vermi-composting facility as source
of her organic fertilizer. She puts all her vegetable trimmings
from the kitchen and decomposed farm and animal wastes in
her vermi-beds. “My neighbors even teased me for collecting
animal wastes on the streets every time I walked home. I
just ignored them and kept on collecting,” Manang Juaning
revealed.
Manang Juaning practices a combination of synthetic and
natural inputs in managing all the components of her
integrated farm. She adopts balanced fertilization strategy
for her palay production. Conscious of a healthy living, she
uses pure organic fertilizer for her vegetable garden and
never spray chemicals to prevent pests and diseases. For
her livestock and poultry, she mixes natural feeds with
commercial feeds. She also uses azolla for her fishpond and vermi-compost as fishpond beds.
Asked how much she earns from her farm? She is very
humble saying her net income is averaging to P80,000 per
hectare per season in her rice-based integrated farm without
taking into account their daily consumption and giveaways for
her relatives and friends. “There is a big difference in income from integrated farm compared to monocropping practice
in corn wherein we cannot earn more than P30,000.00 per
season,” Manang Juaning expressed.
As an agripreneur, Manang Juaning continually innovates on
her practices. She conducts trials on her own farm to determine
which technology could reduce production cost, increase her
yield and net income. One of the trials she conducted was the
comparison of the yield of palay using pure organic fertilizer
through vermi-compost and using synthetic fertilizer alone.
Her trials revealed a good crop stand and harvest in the area
applied with vermi-compost. “It is more resistant to drought
Beyond Dreams 29
and improves soil fertility and structure. It also reduces cost
of production because I have my own source of compost,”
Manang Juaning proudly said.
Manang Juaning advises fellow farmers that if they want to
return to organic farming, which is a way of life before, they
should have their own composting facility to make use of all
wastes around. “It is useless to practice organic farming if
you buy organic fertilizer. It still adds to the production cost,”
Manang Juaning disclosed.
How She Acquired Good Practices and Technologies
The success of Manang Juaning in farming was not achieved
over night. Her skill in managing her farm is the result of
the accumulated knowledge she gained through attending
trainings, farmers’ class, technical briefing and listening to agricultural radio programs like school-on-the air.
She is an active participant of the Enhanced Climate Smart
Farmers’ Field School (ECS-FFS) of the Philippine Climate Change Adaptation Project (PhilCCAP) in 2012, “In the weekly
field school, I was able to learn strategies in adapting to climate change to be a resilient farmer,” Aling Juana exclaimed.
As described by Mrs. Rodelia Carayugan, Agricultural
Technologist from Peñablanca LGU-OMA, Manang Juaning is
proactive in any agricultural activity for rice farmers and rural
women. “She is very serious in acquiring knowledge and skills
and applying them in her farm,” Mrs. Carayugan described.
She is actively participating in all activities implemented by
the Municipal Agriculture Office of the Local Government Unit of Peñablanca, and other agencies.
Learning Site Cooperator
Being an active participant of the Enhanced Climate Smart
Farmers’ Field School (ECS-FFS) of the Philippine Climate Change Adaptation Project (PhilCCAP), Manang Juaning became
Beyond Dreams30
a recipient of the learning site of the ECS-FFS showcasing
her resilient farming practices. This is an innovation of the
Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 02 in
conducting ECS-FFS of PhilCCAP.
As a learning site, a small learning center with simple
learning facilities was established for the next batch of ECS-
FFS participants to hold their weekly classes. As a graduate,
Manang Juaning was tapped to share the learnings she gained
from the ECS-FFS.
Her farm became an expository tour site. Manang Juaning
is always with open-hand in accepting visitors like farmers,
agricultural extension workers and other stakeholders from
other provinces who are participants of training of the ATI-
RTC 02 during their expository tour.
It was also visited by AEWs, farmers and technical staff of PhilCCAP participating agencies from region 06. The visitors
were stunned of the farm – an ideal learning site showcasing
complete components of an integrated and climate change
resilient farm. The impressions of the visitors are indications
of success of Manang Juaning not only economically but even
socially. It was also visited by World Bank mission team leader
as part of the PhilCCAP monitoring activities. Training Center
Superintendent II of ATI-RTC 02, Mr. Renato Maguigad’s visit, opens more opportunities to continuously improve
her knowledge and skills and the farm itself, with technical
support that can be provided to her.
The learning site is not only used for PhilCCAP ECS-FFS
activities but even for other activities conducted by other
agencies like the National Irrigation Administration, the LGU
of Peñablanca, DA-RFO 02 and other farmers’ organization. The learning site was also used as venue for the conduct of
Farm Business School conducted by LGU Peñablanca for one
season, financed by the ATI-RTC 02.
Sharing the fruits
Practicing rice-based integrated farming system, conscious
of the weather forecast, practicing organic farming, adjusting
cropping pattern and calendar depending on the weather
condition are just among the strategies she learned from
the Enhanced Climate Smart FFS, which she believed are
good adaptation strategies to climate change based on her
adaptation experiences. “It is not only me who benefited from these strategies but I have shared it to my co-farmers
“My neighbors even teased me for
collecting animal wastes on the streets every time I walked home. I just ignored them and kept on collecting”
Beyond Dreams 31
during ECS-FFS of the succeeding batches and slowly they are
improving their practices,” Manang Juaning shared.
It became her social responsibility in her barangay. She is
always invited to share her good practices, experiences and
modeled resiliency. As a model, she motivated her son and
daughter to join in the succeeding Enhanced Climate Smart -
Farmers’ Field School.
Reaping Her Success
Due to her attributes and performance, Manang Juaning
became the winner of the Provincial Gawad Saka search for
Rice-based Integrated Farming System in 2012 and 2014 and
a regional entry of the same year and garnered second. She
was also a winner of the Golden Kuhol Best Recipe contest
and her family was awarded as Model Home.
Beyond Dreams32
which was developed into a ranch for goat and sheep, cattle and
carabao and extension of her piggery and poultry project. This
is presently managed by her son.
She has also acquired a business space in Tuguegarao City
which she used to establish a computer café managed by her
other son.
At the age of 60, Manang Juaning could now retire from farming
and could just employ laborers for their 2.5 hectares rice farm, 4
hectares corn farm and 2.5 hectares pasture land. But according
to her, farming is her way of life, her passion and inspiration. “I
love doing it, and I am not yet tired of it. It is no longer a work
for me but a pastime where I can still have a good income. I still
have the role of improving other farmers to become resilient
not only male farmers who are always seen in the field but even women farmers like me,” Manang Juaning happily remarked.
Recognized as outstanding woman in rice farming, Manang
Juaning was invited to share her practices in a national
convention of women in rice farming in Davao City in 2015
together with other 12 women farmers of other regions. Not
knowing that it was a contest, her good practices shared won
her the top best sharer.
She was also featured as a climate change resilient farmer
during the presentation of success stories in the culminating
activity of PhilCCAP last November 2016.
Most important achievement is her four children who had
graduated from college and now have their own employment
and family.
Manang Juaning and her husband continued to invest in
agricultural lands. They acquired 2.5-hectare pasture land
Beyond Dreams 33
The Weight of Silence: A Noise of TriumphThe Story of Engr. Ramon J. Oliveros, Jr.
“L et your work prove your worth,” he said confidently as we toured his well-managed rice-based integrated farm. He is a graduate of electrical
engineering, but his achievements show more of him as an agricultural
scientist. He is a rice farmer-breeder and was able to breed a high yielding inbred
variety using back-crossing method. He has never been known for this achievement.
But this was his stepping stone to success.
Magsasaka Siyentista
by Julius Kevin B. Cusap
Beyond Dreams34
His humble beginning
Mon as he is fondly called by his friends and colleagues, was
originally from Buguey, Cagayan. His family moved to San
Guillermo, Isabela in 1963 for a greener pasture, they say.
Then later, due to hardships in life experienced by his family
in San Guillermo brought by unstable peace and order, they
finally moved to Barangay Simimbaan, Roxas, Isabela in 1973.
In Simimbaan, his parents started their living as tenants.
“The meager income earned by my parents from tenancy
was barely enough to support our basic needs and to finance our education”, he explained. But, he said, he persisted and
worked hard to help his parents so that they could send him
to school. Luckily, he was able to graduate his course at FEATI
University, Manila in 1985.
Wanting to explore for better opportunities, he went to Saudi
Arabia and worked there for 10 years as an Electrical Engineer.
Together with his wife who happened to work in the same
country as a nurse, they built a dream of a successful and
financially stable family.
His passion in farming moved him to go back with his wife in
the Philippines after 10 years. They invested their savings in a
3-hectare rice farm they bought at San Roque, Roxas, Isabela.
Beyond Dreams 35
His initiatives towards the realization of his dream
“I love farming but I don’t know where to start and what to start”, he said. He asked assistance from farmers in the
neighborhood. Farming was just a self-subsistence living
when he started. His yield during the Masagana 99 Program
was only 50 cavans per hectare which was below the average
of 80 cavans per hectare. Never in his dream that he would
become a farmer-breeder.
“One day, a friend invited me to join a training on rice seed
growing at ATI-RTC in San Mateo”, he explained. This was
indeed a life-changing experience for him. He tried in his farm
the technology learned. He eventually became a rice seed
grower. Aside from trainings attended, he explored every
possible way of gaining knowledge. He sought assistance
from the office of the Municipal Agriculturist. Later, he joined the Isabela Seed Growers Cooperative for him to have wider
networks and linkages technically and socially.
His innovation pays
As rice seed grower, he learned the techniques of producing
both inbred and hybrid rice seeds through constant attendance
to trainings and through experiences. “Rice seed production
is a very profitable enterprise”, he exclaimed. In a hectare, he can earn an average income of P200,000.00 in both seasons.
With his income, he was able to acquire more rice farms
and expand his rice seed production from 3 hectares to 18
hectares.
His innovativeness did not escape the attention of the
authorities of the Cagayan Valley Agricultural Resources
Research and Development (CVARRD) Consortium and
appointed him as Magsasaka Siyentista in 2005. As Magsasaka
Siyentista, he continuously practiced rice breeding. He was
able to produce a prominent high yielding variety of rice
through back-crossing of Mestizo 1 Hybrid variety. He is
now waiting for the possibility of registering and patenting
the variety under his name. Though the variety is not yet
registered with the National Seed Industry Council, it is the
most sought-after variety in the locality due to its high yield.
“Quality produce was always my objective so I adhere to
seed quality standards set by BPI-NSQCS and had a regular
accreditation as seed grower both for hyrid and inbred rice”,
he assured.
Beyond Dreams36
Aside from rice seed production, Mang Jun is also practicing
integrated farming. He has 2 hectares devoted to mango
and other fruit tree orchard. He likewise established piggery,
poultry, and vegetables enterprises and now earning an
additional income for his family.
His farm is now on the process of GAP Certification by the Department of Agriculture. “I was interested to apply what
I had learned during my GAP training at ATI-RTC 02. I knew
that this will help me in managing my farm to produce a high
quality and safe product,” he proudly said. He is currently
complying with the GAP practices and had undergone the
voluntary audits conducted by the National GAP evaluation
team in preparation for GAP certification.
Mang Jun has always been the cooperator of technology
demonstration projects of the Municipal Agriculture Office of Roxas, Isabela. His farm has also been the venue for
educational tours of farmers and students in the locality.
Recognizing the contribution of his farm in extension, ATI-
RTC 02 selected Mang Jun’s farm as the Learning Site for agricultural technologies and awarded him a development
fund amounting to P50,000.00 for the enhancement of the
farm including the peripheral fenicng and water system hall.
The Heart of a Missionary
Mang Jun loves to share his experiences and innovations with
other farmers. He conducted techno-demo and field days with the farmers in his barangay on hybrid rice technology.
He shares his technology with other farmers who come to him
for advice.
He is constrained with the plight of fellow farmers in the locality
who are struggling due to insufficient capital and have been slaves of loans from private traders with very high interest
rates.
“Farmers were forced to sell their produce freshly threshed
which commanded very low price due to lack of drying
pavement, adding burden of insufficient fund to pay their debts,” he said. These scenario moved him to organize the
farmers in his locality into SIMCA (Simimbaan-Casilbangan)
Irrigators Association.
It is composed of three barangays namely, Simimbaan, Sotero
Nueva and Batog in Roxas, Isabela. It covers 377 hectares of
irrigated rice. “I encouraged my group to actively participate
in Farmers’ Field School (FFS), technical briefings, farmers’ meetings, technology and method demonstrations conducted
by the LGU,” he said.
Because of his active involvement in extension service, he
was designated as Farmer-Leader Extensionist (FLE) of the
Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, Roxas, Isabela. As FLE, he spearheaded the hybridization program in Roxas particularly
in in the areas of SIMCA IA. Later, SIMCA IA was selected as one
of the model rice clusters in Region 02. Through his leadership
as rice cluster president, SIMCA IA Rice Cluster became the
most successful rice model clusters in Cagayan Valey.
Beyond Dreams 37
It was a morale booster and an achievement for Mang Jun as
he proudly said, “there is no problem that cannot be solved if
we are united.”
The Fruits of His Efforts
As we walked inside his warehouse, I was amazed of the various
farming equipment in a row. He said, with his income from
farming, he was able to acquire 1 unit six-wheeler hauling truck
serves as delivery truck, 2 units rice thresher, 2 heads carabao
for land preparation and hauling purposes. He was also able to
expand his rice farm from 3 hectares to 18 hectares for rice seed
production. This inspired him to venture on rice processing
plant where he process his own seeds from cleaning, sorting,
grading and packaging for commercial selling.
“Today, I have my family business, the Bambang Seed Center
and Agri-Farm Supply in in Nueva Vizcaya, and is operating
continuously with expansion in Isabela and Cagayan. My
quality rice seeds are most sought-after by my clients,” he
proudly said.
Aside from financial and social rewards, the achievements of Mang Jun brought him to fame and recognition. He was
awarded the Outstanding Performance and Commitment
“...there is no problem that cannot be solved if we are united.”
Beyond Dreams38
last December 8, 2015 at DA-RFO 02 for having yielded 10
metric tons/hectare of rice. Likewise, he was a recipient of the
National Rice Achiever Award at Resorts World Manila for his
significant contribution to rice sufficiency program for three consecutive years given last April 20, 2016.
Moreover, his dream for family was finally fulfilled. His first child graduated BS Psychology from University of Sto. Tomas
(UST) and currently taking Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the
same school, his second, graduated BS Economics from
the UP, Diliman and his third child is currently taking-up BS
Architecture at National University. Also, Mang Jun and his
wife were able to build their dream house at Brgy. Bantog,
Roxas, Isabela.
With pride, he said, “ATI-RTC 02 is one among institutions which
contributed much to my success as a farmer-entrepreneur.
The knowledge and skills I acquired in trainings harnessed
and empowered me to become what I am now.”
Few words come out from his mouth, but Mang Jun proved
once again that “action is better than words.”
Beyond Dreams 39
It Pays to InnovateThe Story of Jomar Jarvinia
“T he way to wealth is as plain as the way to
market. Waste neither time nor money
and make the best use of both.” These
words of the famous scientist, Benjamin Franklin
both serves as an inspiration and principle in life
of Mr. Jomar Domingcil Jarvinia, a successful rice
farmer of Region 02.
2013 National Gawad Saka Awardee
for Most Outstanding Rice Farmer
by Maria Norma G. Maddalora and Claris M. Alaska
Beyond Dreams40
Born in September 2, 1977, Jomar as he is fondly called by
his family and friends is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in
Aviation Electronics and Communication Engineering at Grand
Air Corporations. His dream to become a commercial pilot
drove him to pursue flying lessons. However, the risk of this endeavor made his mother adamant to support him because
he is her only child. She feared to lose him for she already lose
her husband when Jomar was only two months old. Instead,
she encouraged him to go back to his hometown Cabatuan to
manage the five hectares rice farm she acquired.
He was in a dilemma either to pursue his dream or to obey
his mother. But his love for her mother motivated him to
live in obedience to the will of the person he loved most,
knowing that it is for his own good. Since he is the only child,
he was bestowed with everything he needs in life which he
can supposedly live a luxurious life. But he opted to be back
home to develop their farm and toil hard in order to earn for
his living and future family.
Even without knowledge and experience in agriculture, he
started the farming business in 1997. For the first five years, he was just contented in imitating the practices he observed from
fellow farmers. He experienced difficulties and problems such as high cost of inputs and low yield with 4-5 tons per hectare
only. During those years, he opted to engage in buying and
selling palay to augment his income from the farm. With this,
he invested on a mini rice mill, warehouse and a solar drying
pavement for the operation of the said business.
Jomar, exhibits a character of courage, persistence,
hardworking, resourcefulness and thriftiness. Determined to
succeed in what he had started, he tried planting hybrid rice
in one hectare rice farm with the hope that he can increase his
yield with this technology. His first trial was satisfactory with an average yield of seven tons so he decided to expand his
production area to four hectares. Although he also produces
inbred rice, he is a consistent hybrid producer attaining an
“...ATI-RTC 02 was the source of knowledge and skills needed to appreciate farming and go on to succeed”
Beyond Dreams 41
increase in production to an average of nine tons per hectare.
With his exceptional yield in hybrid rice production, he became
an advocate of hybrid rice and became instrumental in the
rice hybrid commercialization program of the Department of
Agriculture.
The high level of professionalism and commitment in
dealing with people and his job, Jomar became popular in
the community. In December 2007, he was appointed as
Treasurer of Barangay Nueva Era, Cabatuan, Isabela. During
his term he showed exemplary performance and became
one of the most responsible and transparent Barangay
Treasurers of the municipality of Cabatuan. Because of this,
the Barangay Officials and the people of Nueva Era put their trust and confidence in him so he remained as treasurer up to the present. More people became interested in him due to
the confidence and humility he exuded. Among them is the Municipal Agriculturist of Cabatuan, Mr. Norlando T. Manibog
whom he frequents for technical advice in farming. Through
Mr. Manibog, Jomar was persuaded to become a Farmer-
Leader Extensionist for Rice of Barangay Nueva Era. He
immediately took heed of the opportunity believing that this
will be a significant break for him. He attended the Extension Delivery System Training for Farmer Led Extension (FLE)
conducted by ATI-RTC II to prepare him for the job of a farmer-
extensionist. As an FLE, he conducted techno-demo on the
latest rice technology interventions and conducted farmers’ classes with his co-farmers in the barangay. To equip him
with more technologies and breakthroughs in rice production
being an FLE, he was nominated by MA Manibog to attend the
Season-long Training of Trainers on Palaycheck System for
New FLEs and Agricultural Extension Workers conducted by
the ATI-RTC II. With the new knowledge he acquired coupled
with his resourcefulness, patience and innovativeness,
Jomar was able to improve his farming operations using the
Palaycheck System and unselfishly imparted his knowledge and skills with co-farmers.
Determined to find more strategies to improve his farming practices, Jomar did not stop acquiring knowledge and skills.
He actively attended various trainings conducted by ATI-RTC II
such as Rice Seed Production, Sustainable Agro-Eco Tourism
Farm Environment which he attended in Palawan, Organic
Agriculture Training and Likas-Saka for Vegetable Production.
He likewise attended trainings in Barangay Governance
and Fund Management as well as Cooperative Enterprise
Management. All the learnings and experiences he gained
from these trainings motivated him to put into practice in
his own farm through experimentation in a small area then
gradually adopt it when the result is satisfactory. With the
knowledge and skills he gained in the Organic Agriculture
Trainings, he established a trial on the use of Indigenous
Microorganism (IMO), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), Fermented
Fruit Juice (FFJ), Vermi cast, vermin tea and Carbonized Rice
Hull. He was impressed with result of his trial and he is now
adopting in his farm the use of organic fertilizers and natural
farming inputs as well as zero application of pesticides in
his farm. With pride, he said, “my previous usage of 10 bags
inorganic fertilizer per hectare now decreased to only 4 bags
per hectare, and my soil is improving too”. Now I proved
the principles of growing a healthy plant. If your plants are
healthy there are no damage of pests and diseases. The
soil as the basic foundation should be healthy. Healthy soil
means healthy plants... I will continue to use organic fertilizers
Beyond Dreams42
until I will no longer use inorganic fertilizers”, he added. With
his desire to find solutions to high cost of inputs, he again established another trial on the use of Carbonized Rice Hull
(CRH) and Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO). He established
his trial in his five hectares sandy loam rice area. He spreads eight loads of CRH per hectare all over the farm during land
preparation. At final leveling, he sprays IMO. He said, this strategy is also very effective. He applied only three bags 16-20-0 per hectare with no other chemicals added. His yield
was 120 bags per hectare of palay, a reduction of 7 bags of
inorganic fertilizer and an increase of 10-15 bags of palay per
hectare. He said, his neighboring farmers are now adopting
the same intervention in their farms and are happy with their
yields and income.
His latest experiment now is going into pure organic rice seed
production. He is utilizing his 1000 sq. m. area which was not
planted with any crop for five years now. He is experimenting on 10 varieties of aromatic rice (black, red and brown rice)
with purely organic fertilizer and IMO as source of nutrients.
He will undertake this as seed production project. He started
this trial last cropping season. With 10 kilos initial seed stock
(1 kilo each variety), he was able to produce 100 kilos (5 kilos
each variety) from a 1000 sq m area.
Jomar is also growing mungo after rice or in between cropping
season of rice to his 10 hectares farm using zero tillage. He
broadcasts mungo seeds just after harvesting palay when
moisture is still sufficient in the paddy. With this practice he earns additional income from sale of mungo seeds besides
providing benefits to the soil as green manure.
He is also into diversified farming now. He established a piggery, poultry and vegetable production in a one hectare
farm.
With zest and continous fascination in improving his farming
practices, no doubt Jomar had already found the solution to
combat high cost of inputs and low yield. Improvement in his
income is being manifested by the increase in his landholdings.
From the initial 5 hectares given by his mother, he now owns
20 hectares of rice farm. He had also procured other farm
equipment such as one unit six-wheeler hauling truck, five units hand tractors, one unit rice thresher, five units water pumps and three carabaos for land preparation and hauling
purposes. Also, he was able to lease 7 hectares of rice land for
1 million pesos. At present, he employs 10 full time laborers
and 53 on-call farm laborers during peak season.
Jomar is not only opting of improving his technical knowledge
and skills but has gone far in accepting responsibilities for
community development. At first, he was chosen as one of the Board of Directors of Nueva Era Multi-purpose Cooperative
for two consecutive terms. Lately, he was elected as the BOD
Chairman of the said cooperative. He was also unanimously
selected as Chairman of the Barangay Agriculture and Fishery
Council (BAFC) of Nueva Era. Then lately, he was appointed
as the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Chairman of the
municipality of Cabatuan. The Cagayan Valley Agriculture
and Resources Research and Development (CVARRD)
consortium likewise recognizes him as an outstanding
farmer as manifested by his productive records over time,
his trailblazing innovative agricultural practices, recognized
Beyond Dreams 43
Beyond Dreams44
opinion leader, ability to influence his fellow farmers and his wisdom to act as resource person in various activities earned
him an appointment as Magsasaka Siyentista in glutinous
rice. More and more responsibilities are being entrusted to
him because of his dedication and commitment to serve his
fellow farmers.
All these achievements of Jomar backed him up when he
was nominated for the Gawad Saka search for Best Farmer
Award in rice category and won the regional award in 2011
and ultimately made it in the national level as National Gawad
Saka Most Outstanding Rice Farmer in 2013.
Asked how ATI-RTC 02 contributed to his success, with pride
he said, ATI-RTC 02 was the source of knowledge and skills he
needed to appreciate farming and go on to succeed. It was the
stepping stone to his success. It opened opportunities to grow
and be empowered as a full-fledged farmer-entrepreneur and public servant. His farm became a School on Practical
Agriculture for ATI-RTC 02. It also became a school for the ATI
Youth Empowerment for Sustainable (YES) program scholars
in 2010 to 2017.
Jomar, a young farmer entrepreneur who is determined to
pursue his goal in farming said, he loves and enjoys farming.
A person who once aspired to soar up the skies as an aircraft
pilot now soars with head held up as a Farmer Scientist and
Extensionist bringing with him the banner, “Mind of a scientist,
heart of a missionary”.
The officers of the national association of Magsasaka Siyentista with ATI Director Dr. Luz A. Taposok and Deputy Director Alfredo S. Aton. Mr. Jomar Jarvinia is the current auditor of the organization.
Beyond Dreams 45
Farming as a Science, Business and an ArtThe Story of Rufino Guillermo
“Raffy”, as he is fondly called by his loved ones and friends, is a serious, soft-spoken man usually mistaken to be a “suplado” by
people who meet him for the first time. But for people who have been acquainted with him, find him a friendly, industrious and a very generous person, someone who could be looked up to as a father,
a husband and a friend.
School for Practical Agriculture Cooperator
by Maria Norma G. Maddalora
Beyond Dreams46
Raffy hails from Abulug, Cagayan. He was happily married to Ms. Imelda Mariano of Marasat Grande, San Mateo,
Isabela and blessed with four children of three boys
and one girl.
An Agricultural Engineer by profession, Raffy worked as an extension worker at Human
Settlement and as a researcher for 18 years
with the Cagayan Valley Experiment Station
now Philrice at San Mateo, Isabela. While
working with the government service he
managed his four-hectare rice farm as
a part time farmer. The said farm was
initially acquired by him and his wife.
As a researcher with Philrice, he
was responsible in developing
technologies and new varieties
of rice adaptable in different agro-ecosystem. Likewise,
he conducted trials on
performance of both upland
and lowland rice in organic
and inorganic fertilizers.
As a farmer, he also practices the result of his
researches in his own farm.
Due to the demand of his job for more knowledge on
crop science, he enrolled his Master of Science major
in Crop Science at the Isabela State University, Echague,
Isabela and finished the academic requirements.
Beyond Dreams 47
As he continually worked in the field of rice production, his interest in farming as source of income gradually developed.
When the internal restructuring in Philrice was implemented
and staff, both technical and admin were reshuffled across all branches, Raffy was one of the affected employees to be assigned in other branch.
But his concern for the plight of his family if he will leave them,
became his deepest burden.
Through the encouragement of his wife, Imelda who is a
Technical staff of the ATI-RTC Region 02, Raffy decided to avail of the early retirement and to finally devote the rest of his time as a full time farmer.
Raffy had no regrets on his decision to become a full-time farmer.
To gain more knowledge in farming, he invested his time in
attending trainings at the ATI-RTC 02. He attended series of
trainings such as Rice Seed Production, Hybrid Rice Production,
Organic Agriculture, and Climate Smart Agriculture.
The training and expository tour he attended in Aloha House
in Palawan developed in him the interest and the real passion
in farming especially in diversified nature farming.
Through his training he was certified by the Department of Agriculture as rice seed grower and became member of the
Isabela Seed Growers Multipurpose Cooperative with an
initial seed production area of four hectares.
Beyond Dreams48
With his income from seed production, he was able to expand
his lowland rice area from four to nine hectares with one
hectare devoted for integrated farming and eight hectares for
rice seed production. He also acquired 30 hectares upland
farm where he planted diversified crops like upland and aerobic rice, banana and coconut integrated with 24 heads
of cattle.
Though seed production is financially rewarding, he believes that practicing integrated farming will provide the needed food
of the family that are safe and nutritious besides providing
cash easily when needed by the family while waiting for the
harvest of rice, and the fruits and vegetables in his farm.
Part of his integrated farming project is a six sow level piggery
project. Like rice, his swine project is his major livelihood
since it helped the family in financing the education of his four children in college.
Raffy is also practicing organic farming. He initially allotted a portion of his rice farm for organic farming besides the
one hectare integrated farming area. He uses effective microorganism (EM) in composting his farm wastes. This was
the solution he found to suppress foul odor of his piggery which
was then a problem in their community especially during his
peak of operation at 50 sow-level. Instead of discontinuing
his piggery enterprise, he searched for a solution and that
was the use of Effective Microorganism (EM). He learned this technology during his training on organic farming at
ATI-RTC 02. He mixes piggery waste with farm wastes and
sprays solution of Effective Microorganism to promote rapid composting and control foul odor and flies. He found it to be effective and afterwhich he uses the compost in his rice and vegetable farm.
Now, Raffy is a full fledge farmer-entrepreneur reaping financial success in his farming endeavors. He put up a
Beyond Dreams 49
seed center in San Mateo Public Market where he sells the
rice seeds produced in his farm. He also has a good market
links for his fruits and vegetables in the market. With his nine
hectares rice farm he earns a net income of approximately
P600,000.00 per cropping. While in his piggery he earns a
net income of approximately P200,000.00 per year. With his
vegetables and other integrations he earns a net income of
approximately P150,000 per year. All in all, he earns a total of
P1.55 M net income per year, an income that he couldn’t earn if he remains employed with the government.
Because of his cooperative spirit and performance as a farmer,
he was tapped by ATI-RTC II as cooperator of the Training of
Trainers (TOT) and Farmers Field School (FFS) learning sites
in 2010 and in 2012. He participated in the conduct of the
Farmer’s Field School and together with fellow participants made discoveries on new interventions in farming. As a
learning intervention, he conducts comparison on the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer in his rice and vegetable
farm in terms of yield and income. He said that based on
his observations, organic farming practice lessens the cost
of production besides the health benefits it provides for the family.
He likewise invites fellow farmers in his residence to share
his experiences and discuss new interventions with them
to help them increase their yield. With his innovative and
sharing ability, the ATI-RTC II finally chose him as one of the cooperator and his farm as learning site for the School on
Practical Agriculture (SPA). As a SPA site, he put up a two-
storey training hut from the fund awarded by ATI-RTC II in his
Beyond Dreams50
“...farming is a financially rewarding venture if we have the guts
and passion of doing it well, not by competing with others but by continuously searching and applying interventions to improve productivity and income.”
one hectare rice-based integrated farm. It has been a venue
for trainings of farmers, conferences of other organizations in
the barangay as well as in the municipality and also fellowship
and Bible studies. The SPA learning site has also been a venue
for study tours of farmers and Extension Workers in the region
who want to learn more about rice farming and integrated
rice-based farming.
With his farm as the model, the barangay officials and barangay mates were encouraged to replicate his practices in their own
farms and in the barangay. Part of Raffy’s footprints was the establishment of a barangay nursery which was cooperatively
undertaken by him, the barangay officials and farmers. It became the source of vegetable seedlings for farmers in the
barangay.
He actively participates in all activities in the barangay and
established a good partnership with the barangay officials.
Raffy consider himself blessed for he is now reaping the fruits of his efforts. All his four children successfully finished
their college courses and landed prestigious jobs. Her eldest
daughter is now a medical doctor, the second is a computer
engineer in a company in the USA, the third is managing one
of their seed centers and the fourth is an international auditor
of Procter and Gamble.
Because of these accomplishments, Raffy was nominated in the search for the Most Outstanding Citizen of San Mateo.
He is likewise frequently invited by the Department of
Agriculture to represent farmers in the regional and national
forums of Good Agricultural Practices in Rice.
A man of integrity and passion for work, Raffy believes that “farming is a financially rewarding venture if we have the guts and passion of doing it well, not by competing with others
but by continuously searching and applying interventions to
improve productivity and income.”
Beyond Dreams 51
Many means MoneyThe Story of Henrich Apostol
A fter a decade of being an Overseas Filipino Worker in Taiwan, Henrich Apostol
opted to go home in San Isidro, Jones, Isabela to be with his family. Now, he
prefers to plant every space in his four-hectare upland farm in his hometown.
Enhanced Climate-Smart Farm Cooperator
by Maria Norma G. Maddalora and Vladimir B. Caliguiran
Beyond Dreams52
The enterprise
“Inumpisahan ko ang aking sakahan ng kaunting commodities
gaya ng gulay at palay. Pero nang maisip at maalala ko yung mga
nakikita ko sa Taiwan, yung mga iba’t ibang teknolohiya nila sa
pagsasaka ay sinubukan kong gawin dito sa aming lugar. At sa
awa ng Diyos, naging maganda ang resulta. (I started only with
few commodities. One time, I recalled the technologies I saw
in Taiwan and tried to duplicate them. With God’s grace, it was successful,” Mr. Apostol said.
Mr. Apostol adopts a combination of intercropping, relay
cropping and multi-cropping in his farm. His major enterprise
is upland rice farming wherein two and a half hectare of the
farm is dedicated for it. According to him, he applies the
principle of companion planting in producing variety of crops.
He has also a hectare of orchard while he grows vegetables
and rice through relay cropping on the remaining half hectare.
He also produces his own organic fertilizers through vermi
composting and natural farm inputs such as fermented plant
juice.
There are different kinds of trees at Henrich’s orchard. There are calamansi, mango, avocado, rambutan, coffee, cacao and banana. While the trees are still young, he manages to
intercrop it with various vegetables and pineapple. On the
Beyond Dreams 53
other hand, under the tall grown trees were coffee and cacao.
Aside from growing crops, Henrich is also raising livestock
such as improved native chicken, goats, and cows. The
animals were also integrated with the orchard. At the back
of the farm, he converted a part of the creek into a fishpond where he grows hito and tilapia. This also serves as water
reservoir for the irrigation of his crops.
At his rice farm, he cultivates Pinilisa, a native rice variety.
According to him, the PalayCheck and Palayaman system
helped him a lot in farming. After harvest, he grows legumes
and short-maturing vegetables. “Noong una, ang kinikita
ko sa aking bukid ay mahigit P50,000 lamang. Pero nang
umpisahan ko ang Palayaman ay lumaki na ang aking kinikita
dahil marami na ang pananim na pwedeng pagkakitaan.”
In his 2.5-hectare rice farm, his yield ranges from 7.5-8.25
tons from which he earns at least P100,000. Meanwhile, from
his orchard he is harvesting an average of 3,600 kilograms
of calamansi yearly which can be translated to P54,000;
18,000 kilograms of banana every year and earns P216,000;
and 2,600 kilograms of mangoes per season which can be
sold up to P52,000. He also earns a good income from his
vegetable enterprise.
“Definitely, there is money in agriculture,” Henrich concludes.
Learning and sharing
To further improve his technologies, he regularly attends
Beyond Dreams54
training at the Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training
Center 02. “I attended trainings on climate change adaptation,
Good Agricultural Practices, and livestock production,” he
recalled.
His passion for farming and success in upland rice-based
integrated farming made him as one of the local farmer
technicians and farmer-led extensionist in their municipality
and partner of ATI-RTC 02 in disseminating technologies for
farmers.
A Farmers Field School (FFS) for Practical Agriculture was
conducted by Henrich. Through the FFS, he said, he was able
to update about 30 farmers in modern rice technologies. In
addition, there were at least six who adopted the Palayamanan
Farming System.
“Napakaganda at nandiyan ang ATI na nagbibigay ng sari-saring
kaalaman sa mga magsasaka at katulong ng mga maliliit na
magsasaka-- katulong upang maiangat ang ating mga magsasaka
(It is good that there is ATI who gives variety of knowledge to
our farmers. They are helping to uplift the farmers),” he said.
Aside from the knowledge he shared, Henrich was able to
assist his fellow farmers with starting inputs such as rice seeds
and vegetable seedlings.
Planting seeds
“Walang espasyo dapat ang nasasayang. Lahat dapat ay
nagagamit (Every space in the farm must be utilized. No area
should be disregarded,” Henrich Apostol emphasized.
Truly, Henrich does not only utilized the available space in his
farm to plant different kinds of crops but he also maximized the space in the minds and hearts of his fellow farmers by
planting seeds of knowledge and kindness.
Beyond Dreams 55
From Depression to PassionThe Story of Engr. Albert Tabangay
F armers are truly heroes for they feed the nation. They patiently produce food not only
for their family but for the whole populace. However, farming is not an easy job. The
threat of calamities is always behind them where production is always at risks.
But according to Engr. Albert Tabangay, a farmer from Gaddanan, San Mateo, Isabela,
resiliency, diligence and perseverance should be among the good characters of a farmer to
continue in his farming venture.
Learning Site Cooperator
by Claris M. Alaska
Beyond Dreams56
As an Agricultural Engineer, Engr. Tabangay worked as a
technical man in the Department of Agriculture in a short
while (1980-1982). Later on, he preferred to be full time in
farming and practiced his profession right in his one-hectare
farm.
He gradually developed the farm into a rice-based integrated
farm. With his one-hectare rice farm, he gained a good income
and sustained his family’s needs.
An Ordeal
Engr. Tabangay is contented with just a simple life as a farmer.
He is blessed with a supportive wife and two children. The
sudden illness of his wife due to heart disease made him to
suffer the ordeal of mortgaging a portion of his farm for the hospitalization of his wife. But the treatment did not succeed
and his wife left him the sole responsibility for their children
and tending of his farm. He neglected his farm for years
because of depression until he realized he has to stand again
and start anew. He has to be strong for his two children. He
took the role of a father and a mother to his children. Again,
he went back to farming.
His passion revived
Slowly, his passion in farming rekindled. In 2011, when the
Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center (ATI-
RTC II) conducted a Farmers’ Field School (FFS) on Rice-based Integrated Farming System in barangay Gaddanan, San Mateo,
Isabela, the farm of Engr. Tabangay was recommended as
venue of the training and site of the techno-demo.
He became a participant of the FFS and a techno-demo
cooperator. FFS participants and the AT-facilitators helped
Engr. Tabangay in improving the farm during the duration of
the FFS.
For one season of being a techno-demo area, the farm was
restored. The dikes were maximized in planting vegetables,
he re-established his piggery, duckery and fishpond.
Beyond Dreams 57
During the graduation of the FFS, surprisingly, he was chosen
as the best FFS site. “Naging inspirasyon ko ang recognition na
iyon. Mula noon, naging active muli ako sa pagsasaka,” Engr.
Tabangay uttered.
After his attendance to the FFS Season-long training, he began
to make improvements in his farm. He expanded his fishpond and produces fingerlings for sale to other farmers. His farm is a rice-based integrated farm. Every space in the farm is
maximized in its use.
Later Engr. Albert repossessed the portion of his rice farm
he mortgaged. Having a mind of a scientist and a farmer-
entrepreneur, Engr. Tabangay experimented rice-fish culture showcasing maximum utilization of space and other resources
like irrigation water. The technology gave him additional
income in his tilapia pond while waiting for the palay to be
harvested.
His struggles rewarded
Noting his activeness in farming and established strong
partnership with ATI-RTC 02, Engr. Tabangay was tapped as
cooperator of the School for Practical Agriculture in 2013 and
cooperator of the Enhanced Climate Smart Farmers’ Field School (ECS-FFS) conducted by ATI-RTC 02.
This opened opportunity for him to further develop his farm.
The ECS-FFS facilitators who are participants of the Season-
long Specialists’ Training on Climate Smart Agriculture, together with the ECS-FFS participants helped in improving
the farm.
ATI-RTC 02 provided him financial support in developing the
farm as SPA. A small learning center was established as well
as piggery, fence and water system. Additional components
were also included in the SPA such as duck production, vermi
composting and nursery as source of vegetable seedlings.
Engr. Tabangay together with his facilitators and co-
participants showcased different technologies during the ECS-FFS. He showcased his practice of one-month delayed
feeding for grow-out tilapia, rice-fish culture, catfish culture and systems of rice intensification using black rice.
One-month delayed feeding of grow-out tilapia is a practice
of Engr. Tabangay which lessers the cost of production while
having the same growth rate of tilapia.
Rice-fish farming likewise provides him additional food and income by diversifying his farm activities and maximizing the
land and water in the paddy.
The systems of rice intensification in a farming system aims at increasing the yield of rice production with less water usage,
less labor, and the use of younger seedlings at one seedling
per hill.
The practices of Engr. Tabangay made him a resilient farmer.
He also established windbreaker, mango and coconut
production and planted different kinds of vegetables along dikes.
He became a trusted leader in the community and the
municipality. He was appointed as Municipal Agriculture
and Fishery Council (MAFC) Chairman of San Mateo, Isabela
covering 33 barangays. He is also a vice chairman of SAGAD
Irrigators’ Association and Audit and Inventory Committee
Beyond Dreams58
member of Good Samaritan Multi-purpose Cooperative. He
is a member of Cagayan Valley Organic Farmers Marketing
Cooperative (CAVOFAMCO) being an organic practitioner.
The fruits of his Success
Slowly, Engr. Tabangay acquired other rice farms. He now has
4-hectare rice farm yielding up to 500 cavans in one season.
His other component projects yielded him additional income
for the family. He earns enough amount every season to
sustain the education needs of his two children and in
improving his farm.
Five years after in his farming endeavor, the farm of Engr.
Tabangay is now a model of a resilient farm - an integrated
farm as source of food for the family and a good income.
He is proud to share his success with other farmers. “Sharing
my good practices to other farmers is also a success,” he said.
“Success is not achieve in one time. It is achieve with diligence,
perseverance, proper planning and passion,” Engr. Tabangay
gladly said.
“Success is not achieve in one time. It is achieve with diligence, perseverance, proper planning and passion.”
Beyond Dreams 59
Inspired to Inspire
J oselito ‘Joel’ Cabanayan, a Farmer Led Extension (FLE) project cooperator from Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya, was inspired by his
father-in-law to engage in farming. “Na-challenge ako sa biyenan
ko dahil outstanding corn farmer siya,” Joel revealed. As newlyweds with
limited resources, Joel and his wife, Elizabeth, cultivated a hectare of
land through tenancy in 1995. There, they grew eggplant and bitter
gourd and did backyard hog raising.
After a decade the land owner decided to mortgage the farm to Joel
for P 60,000. As the new temporary owner, Joel shifted from vegetable
growing to corn farming. The following year, he was able to acquire
the property.
The Story of Joselito Cabanayan2015 National Gawad Saka Awardee for Most Outstanding Corn Farmer
by Vladimir B. Caliguiran
Beyond Dreams60
“Dahil may kaunting pera mula sa gulayan at babuyan,
nakabili rin ako ng sarili kong lupa,” he proudly shared.
Corn farming was new to Joel because he was raised in
Nueva Ecija where he was exposed to rice and onion
farming. “Lumapit ako sa Municipal Agriculture Office at nagtanong-tanong ako ng mga seminar,” Joel recalled.
In 2006, he was chosen by the Municipal Agriculture Office to become a farmer extensionist because of his active
participation in different activities and trainings.
Learn and teach
“Kung anong technology ang ibinigay ng Department of
Agriculture (DA), yun din ang ipapasa ko sa mga kapwa ko
farmers. Hindi ko rin ipinagdadamot ang mga grasya galing
sa DA,” Joel described.
The Farmer Led Extension (FLE) program is a strategy of
the Department of Agriculture for technology transfer.
According to Joel, his major task as FLE partner is to offer his farm to become a technology demonstration site. He
is also a learning site partner of the Agricultural Training
Institute – Regional Training Center 02 (ATI- RTC II).
“Kapag production season na ng mais, madalas maraming
tao dito. Napupuno ang kubo lalo ng kapag may training at
Farmers’ Field School ang ATI,” he said.
“Hindi ako humihinto sa pagpapalaganap… Hindi ko
ipinagdadamot ‘yung mga knowledge para mapataas din
ang ani nila. Kasi noon, napakababa talaga ng ani dito, pero
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ngayong may mga makabagong technology na dito, tumaas na
rin,” he happily added. “Kapag nagtagal nga ako sa kwentuhan,
ikinukumpara ako ni misis sa isang kandidato,” he quipped.
According to Joel, becoming an effective farmer extension worker means testing first the technology before deciding if it is worth sharing or not. Even private companies are partnering
with Joel for the demonstration of their new products.
“As farmer leader, tumulong ka rin sa kapwa mo magsasaka na
maiangat ang pamumuhay nila,” he proudly said.
Harvest season
Joel usually yields an average of 180-200 bags of corn per
hectare but also experienced harvesting 302 bags from his
one-hectare farm once. “Nalulungkot na ako kapag bumaba sa
150 ang aking inani,” he shared.
Through corn farming, Joel and Elizabeth managed to build
their own house, buy farm machineries, and send their three
children to school. Their eldest, Jolly Beth, is now a licensed
veterinarian, and their middle child, Jozelito, is an Information
Technology graduate, while their youngest, Jury Jubet, is
currently in highschool.
“Maging inspirasyon ka sa kapwa mo. Para makatanggap din sila ng mga
pagkilala gaya ko.”
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At present, Joel is renovating their house to include a second
floor which will serve as a view deck to his cornfields. “Dati
inaakyat ko yung puno ng ilang-ilang para makita ang mga mais
na kulang sa tubig at abono. Ngayon, hindi na ako mahihirapan
dahil may second floor na ang bahay ko,” he merrily shared.
According to him, his secret to success as a corn farmer is
the use of the latest technologies. “Kapag may makita akong
bagong technology, ina-adopt ko kaagad,” the 50-year old
farmer revealed.
At present, the latest innovation in his farm is the double-
row planting technique. This technology optimizes land-use
efficiency and productivity and is now being applied to the 11-hectare corn field he manages for different owners.
Unending inspiration
“Minsan ibinububukas ko ang aking gulayan sa mga tao rito.
Inaalok ko silang pumitas ng gulay. Ang gusto ko ma-realize nila
na kung kaya kong magtanim at umani ng gulay ay kaya rin nila.”
“Maging inspirasyon ka sa kapwa mo. Para makatanggap din sila
ng mga pagkilala gaya ko,” Joel emphasized.
Joel is a recipient of numerous awards in corn farming and
extension works. Recently, he received the Gawad Saka Award
for being the Outstanding Corn Farmer nationwide.
At this time, it’s Joel’s turn to inspire the next outstanding farmer.
Editorial TeamEditor-in-Chief
Maria Norma G. Maddalora, Information Officer III
Writers
Maria Norma G. Maddalora, Information Officer III
Claris M. Alaska, DPA, Information Officer II
Julius Kevin B. Cusap, Training Specialist I
Vladimir B. Caliguiran, Information Officer (Lay-out Artist)
Editorial Advisers
Renato A. Maguigad, Training Center Superintendent II
Imelda M. Guillermo, Training Center Superintendent I
Jimmy Q. Abarabar, Ph.D, Senior Agriculturist
Marites E. Frogoso, DPA, Training Specialist III
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Agricultural Training InstituteREGIONAL TRAINING CENTER IISan Mateo and Cabagan, Isabela