The farmers of Paraiso Farm, SAN JOSE, BATANGAS, provide natural organic vegetables to the benevolent homeowners of the plush villages in the big city on weekdays and the indigent elderly on weekends. They have discovered the joy of dual-care – caring for the rich who care for the poor.
ERNIE E. MAIPID, JR.
In the beginning, there was abundance! God called the Earth to surface and produce vegetation, seed-bearing plants, fruit trees according to their kind. God then caused the waters to teem with living creatures…..all these, He meant for man’s food.
The farmer has been given us to till the land and make it grow food to fill us. His mission is to put food on our tables. It causes him happiness to do that good, even as he sees in it, his fulfillment!
And yet, why has the farmer stood bereft of the land’s fill all this time? Why has his life remained poor and hand-to-mouth? Why has he struggled to feed his family and provide for even basic education? These questions led us to the humble homes of these farmers and fisherfolks.
Poor, But Rich in Value
Angelito Mape from Aparri, Cagayan grows a hectare of rice that used to yield 180 cavans (9000 kilos). Because of various conditions of the land, produce is down to 90 cavans (4500 kilos). Due to the rains last yearend, the recent sprout was spotted and fetched a lower price in the market. Angelito perseveres, while challenged, knowing that, ‘Mahirap umangat ang lugar ng magsasaka, kung hindi kami matutulungan ng gobyerno! (The farmer’s lot will never improve if the government does not help us.)
Arlon Eduarte belongs to a team of 30 farmers from Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, developing a 25-hectare cassava plantation. Two storms brought down their plantation, leaving 25 percent standing. With almost all their original loan investment washed out, Arlon and his team start anew, even as they inch their way to paying a heavy due. He says, ‘Mahalaga sa pagsasaka yung pagtingin para sa lahat; hindi makasarili. Importante yung bukas tumulong, magbahagi ng kaalaman at magpalakas ng loob.’ (A good farmer values the common good, a team spirit, one willing to help, share know-how, and encourage!)
Nerissa Portillo and Felix Frias from Tapaz, Capiz consider the meager income from farming a blessing, ‘pantawid sa kahirapan ng buhay,’ (a help in answering family’s basic needs in these difficult times!) Nerissa is married with 7 children. Felix is likewise married with 4 children. Both talk about just having enough to put on the table and pay for schooling. Asked if she encourages a farmer’s life for her children, Nerissa answers, ‘Nakikita ng mga anak ko, ang pagtataguyod namin ng Tatay nila, bilang mga magulang. Pero alam nila, na hindi sapat yung aming kita para guminhawa ang buhay.’ (The children witness and appreciate our efforts to raise them as parents. But they know, what we earn from farming will not give us a comfortable life!)
Ronnie Mangga of Sumilao, Bukidnon has farmed for a decade. He says, ‘Ito ang ibinigay ng Diyos na hanap-buhay sa akin. Pagsisikapan ko ito. Aalagaan ko ang lupa! (God has given me this land as a gift! I will strive to till it well and make it productive!)
Rey Aranton from Buntod, Capiz is a fisherfolk who advocates the care of our seas. ‘Mahalaga’ng alagaan ang dagat at huwag abusuhin, kung gusto mo’ng balikan ka rin niya nang mabuti!’ (It is important to take care of the seas if you likewise wish them to take care of you!) Rey says several factors determine a good income from fishing. Among these are one’s pump boat, fishing net, and fish seeds or fingerlings. On a ‘no luck’ day, when the wind is either too harsh or too mild and waves, crashing or slow, ‘take-home from a day-at sea,’ can be as meager as 300 pesos. Fellow fisherfolk Gerry Bueno says, ‘Importante ang disiplina, sipag, at tiwala sa sarili sa pangingisda. Ganoon talaga ang Buhay. Kailangan may pagpupursigi!’ (Discipline, hard work, and self-confidence are important to fishing. In life, one goes far with perseverance!)
Big Brother and Allied Reachouts
Interviewing Mat Maderazo of the Department of Agriculture’s Technical Advisory Group and a key officer of Planters Products, we gather that government, in its role as ‘Brother’s Keeper,’ extends financial, technological, mechanical, and market linkage assistance to farmers while encouraging our farmers to be open to new ideas and methodologies, and working on a collaboration to ensure the good of all!’ Maderazo further says, ‘Sec. Willy Dar’s directive is for the Department to lead in soil rejuvenation and activate the province-led agri-fishery extension services, in a ‘whole of nation’ approach working to uplift our farmers and fisherfolks.’
Some hopeful initiatives are sparked by the young themselves, taking on their mentors’ reigns, including the School for Experiential & Entrepreneurial Development. SEED offers an agriculture-focused course featuring a month of campus-based learning, from which students undergo farm exposure on organic agricultural methods. They then go home to establish community farms to augment their family incomes and those of their neighbors. Mark Rebucan, who leads the SEED campus in Sumilao, believes that ‘If we are to change the farmer environment in the future, we need to consider getting the farmer out of his present lock-out, where he works 12 hours a day and gets compensated for less than what can daily feed a family of 5!’ And then, there is young Jet Ong, a social worker who marries a fisherman from Bantayan, Cebu. Now a mother of two, Jet establishes a social enterprise promoting fish products in Fishers & Changemakers, Inc. Jet believes, ‘The providence of God is enough!’
Yes, OPENNESS to God’s future plans, revealed through new know-how and our never-ending efforts at working together for the good of all. This is the ABUNDANCE, that we celebrate!
My gratitude extends to Kim Evallar, Jessica Yu, Manding Cabillon, and Boy Montelibano.