Conducting the annual City Farm Family Congress in November at Quezon Park as one of the kick-off events for the City Charter Day and fiesta celebration is a significant gesture of boosting acknowledgement of the farming sector as a pillar of society, and the spine for which the forces of production can be sustained efficiently.
International School of Sustainable Tourism President Mina Gabor noted that farmers abroad happen to be their country’s policy makers and they are simultaneously influential people.
Here in the Philippines, however, our farmers are often taken for granted or worse, looked down upon.
Gabor also noted that most Filipino farmers are 57 to 60 years old, with the younger generations enticed to migrate to the metropolis to seek more profitable jobs. These young people might think that farming is a “very lowly” job.
Conducting farm congresses in Dumaguete is a manifestation of what we call “farm tourism” which has become quite popular in countries such as Taiwan where families flock to farms and partake in activities such as rice planting and vegetable harvesting.
This is also one good way of supplementing the incomes of farmers and farmer-families.
Recognizing the importance of agriculture in sustaining and enhancing human life, not just in terms of food production but also in providing livelihood to a major portion of the population, former President Aquino III signed into law R.A. No. 10816, also known as the Farm Tourism Development Act on May 23, 2016.
Farm tourism, as defined by the law, is the practice of attracting visitors and tourists to farm areas for production, educational, and recreational purposes which involves any agricultural or fishery-based operation or activity, and which may also provide a venue for outdoor recreation and accessible family outings.
Aside from the usual farm activities that we can see during the Farm Congress, there are others that can be offered in farm tourism destinations.
These can include the City Farmstead in Bgy. Talay where tourists can see for themselves, and learn vegetable growing, inland fisheries, and livestock production (swine, goats, sheeps, carabao, cattles, rabbits, etc.).
Many farms in the City are also able to sell their fresh produce to visitors.
Since 2008, the City Agriculturist’s Office has produced multi-awarded Regional Gawad Saka farmers and Rural-Based Organizations who have something to attract, show, and share with tourists.
For instance, the organic farm of Jessie Ogahayon in Bgy. Camanjac, who was awarded this year’s Regional Outstanding Organic Farmer, is a working model and a learning destination in organically-grown rice (1.7 hectares), high- value commercial crops (8,000 sqm), organic herbs (50 sqm), vegetables in a green house (12 sqm), poultry and piggery (100 sqm), and tilapia fishpond (300 sqm).
Bgy. Batinguel’s Kremlind Catan, the 2016 Regional Outstanding Coconut Farmer, has one-hectare diversified organic farming system, a sustainable agriculture model and learning site.
His farm has 400 coconut trees intercropped with cacao, corn, tomatoes, camote, and a variety of vegetable crops. Catan also raises, swine, native chickens, goats, and tilapia as a source of income and food. He produces his own verme casts/organic fertilizers for his farm use.
The Healthy 4-H Club of Bgy. Cantil-e, the 2016 Regional Outstanding Young Farmers Organization, composed of 30 in-school, out-of-school, and working youths, has become a model rural-based organization for making a difference in the lives of the members and the community.
These “young heroes in agriculture” are engaged in livelihood projects and activities such as the establishment of a 500 sqm communal vegetable garden, and livestock raising (native chickens, goats, cattle, and swine).
With an extensive array of offerings, farm tourism can accommodate everyone and can cater to all segments of society — from those into healthy food and organic products which are fashionable today, to schools who want students to learn and appreciate local agriculture; from families searching for a distinctive activity, to visitors who want to disengage from their hectic lives in the city, and “rewire” with nature and even enjoy an organic spa treatment.
The 21st City Farm Family Congress & Agri-Fair celebration held Nov. 17-18, with the theme, Hugpong sa mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda importante kaayo alang sa malungtarong seguridad sa pagkaon, called for the unity of all rural-based organizations for the City to achieve sustainable food security. An appropriate action that could surely help the City gain hold of its objectives.
Congratulations to the winners of the various contests during the recently-concluded Farm Family Congress: Booth: Upo FA, Camanjac (1st), Couliflower FA, Banilad (2nd), Raddish FA, Junob (3rd); Pinaka: Jovencio Albina (Eggplant, Upo, Squash), Mary Jane Balbuena (Cucumber, Ampalaya); Farmers Novelty Song: Noelito Ramirez (1st), Victoria Deniega (2nd), Norma Mongcopa (3rd); 4-H On-the-Spot Painting: Raffy Tinagan (1st), Brix Brian Tajada (2nd), Mae Belle Angay (3rd); 4-H Backyard Vegetable Garden: Jayrald Malinao (1st), John Alex Gervacio (2nd), Allan Dwight Nocete (3rd); 4-H Vegetable Seeds & Organic Seeds Identification: Lindon Melon (1st) Edmund Melon (2nd), Jescar Jainguin (3rd); 4-H Handicraft Making: Khim Salceda (1st), Ferdie Andalahao (2nd), Raffy Tinagan (3rd); 4-H Extemporaneous Speaking: Ferdie Andalahao (1st), Klein Adrian Damina (2nd). Angel Mae Llorente (3rd); 4-H Minus One Singing: Anjo Rufa (1st), Desirhyl Genn Ramirez (2nd), Angelo Tanaka (3rd); 4-H Quiz Bee: Heavenly Joy Cuaresma (1st), Mustapa Rasid (2nd), Maeben Mariah Angay (3rd); 4-H Cooking: Cirilo Melon, Jr. (1st), Arman Abordo (2nd), Julie May Gacita (3rd); RIC Cooking: Gina Zerna (1st), Reila Baco (2nd), Mary Jane Balbuena (3rd); RIC Handicraft Making: Evelyn Orlina (1st), Anecita Alalon (2nd); RIC Folk Dance: Candau-ay (1st), Camanjac (2nd), Mangnao (3rd); RIC Backyard Vegetable Garden: Nenita Flores (1st), Marilyn Santinyaman (2nd), Conception Senador (3rd); Fisherfolks Fish Kinilaw-Making: Nelly Docuyan (1st), Marian Tale (2nd), Imelda Filosofo (3rd); Fisherfolks Crab Catching: Primitivo Castro (1st), Conrado Isola (2nd), Ramil Docuyan (3rd); Farm Family’s Got Talent: Puro Kawayan, Talay 4-H (1st), Young Achievers, Candau-ay 4-H (2nd), Banilad FA (3rd); Piglet Catching: Expidita Mapili, Junob (1st), Aisa Galan, Bajumpandan (2nd), Clint Adalia, Bajumpandan (3rd), Joven Corsame (4th); Load Carrying: Fishermen (1st); Bantay-Dagat (2nd), Bajumpandan (3rd); Sack Race: Bajumpandan (1st), Fishermen, Calindagan (2nd), Excellent 4-H Club, Bajumpandan (3rd); Paligid Relay: Bantay-Dagat (1st), Fishermen (2nd), Bajumpandan (3rd); Chili (Spada) Eating: Joel Solis (1st), Joven Corsame (2nd), Primitivo Castro (3rd); Ampalaya Eating: Jomar Gadiane (1st), Jun Reil Paso (2nd), Regie Amoma (3rd); Native Chicken Dressing: Edimar Mapili (1st), Michael Ho (2nd), Tirso Aragones (3rd), Lope Sayre (4th).
_______________________________
Author’s email: wea_129@yahoo.com
