“If you quit, you’ll never see your dreams come to life.”

This is how Rommel Española, a young farmer from Cotabato Province, realized as he stood barefoot in the fields of his family’s farm.

At the age of 13, he began farming on his family’s 1.7-hectare farm in Pinamaton, Matalam, Cotabato. Though he left high school to focus on farming, his journey was far from straightforward. He faced challenges—financial constraints, climate changes, and market instability—along with his battle with low self-esteem. At some point, he fell into vices like gambling and cockfighting. However, in 2017, his life took a transformative turn when he joined the 4-H Club of the Philippines.

Involvement in the 4-H Club

At first, Rommel hesitated to join the 4-H Club due to shyness. “I wasn’t sure if I could fit in,” he recalled. But soon, he saw the potential of being part of something bigger. His turning point came during a meeting where a fellow 4-H member shared his inspiring journey as a Filipino Young Farmer Intern in Japan. “That story opened my eyes. It showed me what was possible if I dedicated myself to agriculture", he shared.

In 2017, Rommel joined the Adopt-a-Farm Youth Program of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) SOCCSKSARGEN, where his mentor, Gregorio B. Saljay III, a Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) Cooperator of GBS III Agro Farms, taught him how to manage a farm like a business. “Farming isn’t just about growing crops, it’s about entrepreneurship, and about turning what you love into something that sustains you and your community.” he learned.

His passion grew when he attended the Regional Farm Family Congress in 2018, where he heard success stories of inspiring LSA cooperators who started with little but went on to build thriving agriculture enterprises.

The 4-H Club has proven to be a vital organization for young people in the Philippines, especially in rural communities, where opportunities for growth and learning in agriculture are often limited. The 4-H Club empowers youth to develop their skills and build confidence in agriculture by providing training, mentorship, and hands-on farming experience.

For members like Rommel, the 4-H Club was a turning point. His involvement with the club not only ended his vices but also ignited his dream of transforming his small farm into something greater—an LSA.

Japan Internship Program

A significant opportunity arose in 2021 when his dedication earned him a spot in the Young Filipino Farm Leaders Training Program in Japan (YFFLTPJ). During the 11-month internship, he honed his skills further with advanced farming techniques and deepened his understanding of organic agriculture. The YFFLTPJ was pivotal in his transformation as both a farmer and a leader.

His host family in Japan raised fruits and vegetables using organic methods, and Rommel saw firsthand how natural fertilizers like cow manure and carbonized rice hull could restore soil health.

After the internship, he started using goat and cattle manure, along with foliar sprays and natural concoctions as fertilizers, restoring the soil health and increasing productivity on his farm.

More than just technical skills, the program instilled in him the discipline and entrepreneurial mindset needed to turn his passion for farming into a flourishing agribusiness. When he returned, Rommel used the ₱150,000 grant from the program and his savings to develop his farm into an LSA.

The Transformation of Española Integrated Farm

After two years of pursuing his passion for farming, his dream finally became a reality. Española Integrated Farm was officially launched as an ATI-certified LSA on June 13, 2024. This milestone made him the first 4-H Club member from Cotabato Province to achieve LSA certification for his farm and the youngest LSA cooperator in Region XII at the age of 24.

His hard work soon paid off as the farm now generates income through the sale of organically grown vegetables at trade fairs, local markets, and the Kadiwa store. Rommel noticed that consumers increasingly preferred organically grown products.

Aside from the changing climate and market instability, Rommel has also a share of challenges in transforming his production-oriented farm into an LSA. “The path was never easy and smooth sailing. I encountered financial constraints in developing the farm and establishing a training hall, comfort room, and wash area.”, he mentioned.

Despite these trials, he remained resilient, learning valuable lessons from his struggles. “Failure and challenges will teach you valuable lessons, and those lessons will lead to breakthroughs. If you quit, you’ll never see your dreams come to life.” Rommel added.

Vision and aspiration

Looking ahead, he is determined to leverage his skills and financial resources to expand Española Integrated Farm. His vision for the next 10 years includes acquiring an additional hectare lot and turning it into a dairy farm, an ambition inspired by his training in artificial insemination for large ruminants by ATI and the Philippine Carabao Center. Additionally, he envisions the farm as a hub for knowledge-sharing and hands-on training of young farmers with dreams and aspirations like him.

His journey from a low self-esteemed farmer to becoming a respected LSA cooperator is a powerful reminder of what is possible when one combines passion with perseverance. From a boy lost to vices to a victorious young farmer, Rommel is an inspiration to a new generation of farmers, proving that with the right mindset and opportunities, nothing is impossible.

As Rommel stands in the heart of Española Integrated Farm today, surrounded by organically grown vegetables, he can’t help but feel overwhelmed by how far he’s come.

“If I had given up, I wouldn’t be here.”