“I grew up not being the center of attention, my family did not support my decisions in life. I am not a degree holder and was considered a family burden," lamented a young farmer named Roel B. Omega. At 29, Roel turned this pain into motivation, fueling his dream to become a successful farmer, and to establish a thriving farm.
Roel, the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Diodoro Omega from Aloran, Misamis Occidental, faced significant challenges in life. Financial difficulties forced him to stop college in his third year. He dedicated seven months to working tirelessly at 2GO in Zamboanga, striving to support both his family and his own needs from a young age. Subsequently, he also served as staff at East West Placement Center Inc., a recruitment agency, and a local skills training school aimed at preparing for opportunities abroad, a crucial part of his aspiration to work overseas.
Throughout these hardships, Roel remained steadfast in his faith, actively participating in church activities and serving as a youth leader, where he shared his devotion to the word of God.
In 2019, Roel enrolled in TESDA NCII (pipetting), hoping to find opportunities abroad. But as the COVID-19 pandemic struck, his life took an unexpected turn. A TESDA NCII Scholarship for Organic NC II became available, opening doors he never imagined.
Roel's family had once relied on a small business for income, but when his father fell seriously ill, the business abruptly stopped. Desperation led them to try their hand at a piggery enterprise, only to face bankruptcy due to mismanagement. The future seemed bleak and uncertain.
Amidst these challenges, Roel found hope through NC II Organic Agriculture. He met Mr. Fernando Manlaran, who became his mentor and guide. Mr. Manlaran, with his extensive network, introduced Roel to Organic Agriculture Focal Person Neciefen Cagaanan. She showed him the Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA), revealing a lifeline in their withering farm. Despite practicing organic farming, they struggled with poor management and unsatisfactory yields.
Roel refused to give up. Opportunities began knocking, and he felt the unwavering boost and strength of his faith. On February 28, 2022, a glimmer of hope appeared. Roel stumbled upon a post from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) about the Young Farmers Challenge of the Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Division (DA-AMAD). Out of thirty aspirants, Roel emerged victorious, winning the Young Farmers Award (Provincial level) and 50,000 pesos with his Swine Fattening Production proposal. He handed the prize money to his parents, hoping to restart their piggery business.
After being thrilled as one of the Young Farmers awardees, Roel had the privilege of being chosen by Oroquieta Agro-Industrial School to represent their city in the prestigious Regional Skills Competition event in Cagayan de Oro City. Competing in knapsack sprayer calibration and feed formulation, Roel proudly secured second place and was awarded the silver medal. This achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication, showcasing his skills on such a prestigious stage.
All was well with Roel and his family until disaster struck on December 26, 2022. Once again, their hard work and financial stability vanished. Roel vividly remembers that day when a catastrophic shear line event devastated Misamis Occidental, affecting countless families, including his own. The calamity left them questioning their determination to continue farming. Heartbroken and financially exhausted, Roel was compelled to sell all ten of their pigs. The funds, intended for his parents, quickly disappeared as they were also used to support relatives.
Despite these crushing setbacks, Roel's unwavering spirit caught the attention of local government officials. He received multiple invitations to training sessions from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), where he met inspirational trainers like Reymard Galarrita, Bryan Cabugwason, and Francis Mari Roa. Roel attended a National Biotechnology Seminar in Nueva Ecija, sponsored by the DA-AMAD, and shared his story as an award-winning young farmer.
After his stint in Nueva Ecija, he was recruited by Jabiens Integrated Farm in Baliangao, Misamis Occidental, to serve as a trainer for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program for three months. As a graduate of the Training of Trainers (TOT) program at ATI, he effectively shared his knowledge with rice farmers, serving as their resource person during the training sessions.
Roel's fortune seemed to turn. He applied for ATI’s Youth Scholarship Grant on Organic Farming (YSGOF) and passed all evaluations. He found himself at SiaKeAn’s Integrated Farm, a Learning Site for Agriculture managed by Garlan and Sagrada Alvarez in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental.
At SiaKeAn’s Integrated Farm, Roel's horizons expanded. He attended numerous agriculture-related trainings, traveled, and became a resource person for various local seminars. His perseverance and hard work started to pay off. He remains connected to ATI, participating in trainings on rice, coconut, and organic agriculture.
Today, Roel’s vegetable and piggery business thrives, embodying organic practices and the wisdom gained from countless trainings and seminars. Against all odds, he stands as a successful young entrepreneur, inspiring others to chase their dreams, no matter how unsupported or discouraged they might feel by those closest to them. Roel Omega’s story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the unyielding pursuit of one's dreams. (by: Joebert D. Apdian)
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