© 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

Beyond Dreams 61

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.”

Beyond Dreams62

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

Beyond Dreams64

Agricultural Training InstituteREGIONAL TRAINING CENTER IISan Mateo and Cabagan, Isabela