There is nothing as powerful as people learning from each other. Coming together to acquire lessons from other agripreneurs’ best practices definitely raises sharing to a whole new level of awesomeness. This was the case as Eastern Visayas FITS implementers visited four of CALABARZON’s best farm tourism sites.
KITS: Lakbay-Alay
The strategy, although very powerful, is nothing new. Knowledge Inputs Technology Sharing (KITS) is anchored on the principle that aside from ATI’s capacity building activities, farmers and AEWs are each other’s best teacher. One of the innovations at ATI 8 which uses this strategy is the Lakbay-Alay. It is a clever way for farmers to help each other through farm visits. Visiting organic agriculture practitioners bring their own inputs to share with fellow farmers.
This year, FITS implementers from Region 8 conducted its very own KITS and visited four of CALABARZON’s farm tourism sites to exchange ideas about various technologies in agriculture and widen their network. Consisting of 3 FITS staff, 5 MS, and 2 ATI 8 staff, the group embarked on a journey that will hopefully revolutionize how farmers see agriculture in the region. The Lakbay-Alay also sought to further boost the morale of best-performing FITS centers and Magsasaka-Siyentista (MS) in Eastern Visayas. The group included Loreto Godoy (Baybay City – MS), Albert Rosillo (Baybay City – MS), Wernher Uy (Baybay City - FITS staff), Ricardo Palomado (Tomas Oppus, S. Leyte – MS), Brenda Almeroda (DA-AES FITS Staff), Saturnina Aragon (Ormoc City – MS), Avelina Molato (Ormoc City – FITS Staff), Justina Maria Sarah Hermoso (Ormoc City – FITS Staff), Bethel John Sinon (ATI 8 - MPS II), and Melinda Petalcorin (ATI 8 - IO II).
CALABARZON Farm Tourism Gems
The group experienced farm tourism at its best with visits to Terra Verde EcoFarm in Maragondon Cavite, Teofely Nature Farms (Silang Cavite), Forest Wood Garden (San Pablo City, Laguna) and Dioko Resort and Eco-tourism Park (San Pablo City, Laguna).
The group also visited the FITS Center of OPA-Cavite to learn about their best practices in implementing the Techno Gabay Program. While there, they realized the importance of the PLGU’s support towards empowering their Magsasaka-Siyentista.
Each farm tourism site shared meaningful insights. For Terra Verde EcoFarm, Mr. Ericson Atanacio explained the importance of building social fences to help and protect the farm and its owners. He explained that if people build concrete fences, they are keeping away people literally and figuratively. Rather, we should establish relationships with neighbors which in the long run is good for the farm and the community as a whole.
Mr. Atanacio also said that if Eastern Visayas farmers will go into farm tourism, they must make sure that their sites can offer fun, learning, and safety. These may be three small words but they actually have great impact once visitors start coming. Activities in the farm must be fun so as to engage visitors. It must be a place for learning. While at it, visitors must always be safe inside the farm tourism site.
Mr. Ian Basa Cabriga of Teofely Nature Farms explained how the farm is self-sustaining. He also encouraged the group, especially Mr. Loreto Godoy who is into native swine raising, to expand his network. He brought the group to their restaurant which serves their specialty native pig lechon. Although the farm is not that big, it most certainly maximized its area.
Mr. Cabriga also emphasized that farmers should not rely on the government for everything that they need in the farm. Farmers must be innovative enough to stand on their own feet as the government cannot provide for all their farm needs.
The formidable tandem of Joel and Myrna Frago of the Forest Wood Garden was obviously a force to reckon with in San Pablo, Laguna. Their restaurant is a must-visit for its famous pancit kalabuko and plantsadong lamang-lupa. They told the group to innovate and level up when it comes to products or services offered in the farm. Visitors must always find something unique in what one is serving. The couple has successfully integrated landscaping with organic agriculture, making the experience truly from farm to table.
Dioko Resort and Eco-tourism Park was a total package as it showcased everything from livestock, crops, and recreation. The group toured the park and learned about the different crops grown in the area. Since it was a resort, there were also amenities like swimming pools and different animals which visitors can look at. These gave the E. Visayas group a chance to ponder on what it could be like if the region can also offer that kind of farm tourism destination.
Grateful hearts
“Thank you ATI for the opportunity!” These were words often heard from the participants. However, it becomes more meaningful when one sees them with the renewed drive to engage more in productive and sustainable agricultural ventures. Although some of the technologies in the farms visited were already being implemented on a grand scale, the group was optimistic that Region 8 can replicate it by starting small.
Opportunities for learning are aplenty. It’s actually putting to good use and implementing what one has learned that will spell the difference. However, what makes learning even grander is when people continue to share it with others. The group toured CALABARZON farm tourism gems and feasted their eyes and mouths with all the wonderful things to see and eat. Most of all, they filled their minds with wisdom and hearts with hope with the learning only fellow agripreneurs can share.
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