The flame of sustainable farming still burns in his heart despite his age and weak body. Valerio Ramos, now - 77 years is making sure that his practice for natural and safe farming he established in the farm will continue.
In 2005 he, together with his late wife Lydia, devoted full time to till the 4,000 square meters parcel of land in Palina, Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet. After retiring from a mining company as a geodetic engineer, he applied his engineering skills to develop the steep land.
With a clear plan on his mind of what he wanted for his farm, he then developed the area to become the VnL Mini Farm (Valerio and Lydia). Mr. Valerio envisions the VnL Mini Farm to lead and promote organic farming and shall contribute to the production of safe food in a practical and sustainable manner.
Slowly, he put into action his plan to the abandoned farm he bought. He cleared the area that was planted with some trees to pave for a new farm. He first planted pineapple and banana but did not prosper because it was during that time when bunchy top virus affected the banana plantations in the region. With the assistance of the Good Roots Foundation, Valerio established a fruit tree nursery and planted different fruit trees like bananas, avocado, atis, guava, guyabano, lemon and papaya in the area.
He introduced terracing the slopes with ripraps, building perimeter fence, and concrete access steps from the road to the property. He installed steel tanks and pipelines for irrigation and constructed concrete tank as water impounding ponds also served as fish pond/farm. He also constructed chicken houses. In the later year, he introduced mukosako production area and drip irrigation system.
His passion for learning on new things was not limited by age. He visited farms, joined organizations with the same advocacy on safe farming and attended seminars, congresses and trainings facilitated by the various agencies like the Good Roots (Green Earth Legacy Foundation Inc), LaTOP Multi-Purpose Cooperative, BSU, OPAg Benguet, OMAg Tuba, and ATI-CAR and others. To assist other farmers, he then helped to organize groups like the Tuba Organic Producers Cooperative (TOPC).
The VnL Farm became one of the certified organic farms in the Cordillera Region that time as he, diligently followed the standards of having an organic farm. He widened his linkages and market outlets of his farm products while continuing to develop more his farm into agri-tourism site. He was also certified by ATI-CAR as Learning Site on Agriculture and Magsasaka Siyentista.
Farm Activities and Practices through the years
Fundamental Farm Practices
Valerio strictly follows the principles of organic farming in the production of VnL vegetables. He made sure that the facilities and structures of having an organic farm are being properly and strategically placed in the area. Knowing the importance of farm recording and bookkeeping, Valerio made sure that these documents are updated and available.
Foremost, he believes in the value of composting as integral part of safe farming. In the process, he turns organic matters into fertilizers as food for plants. He uses the readily available plants in the farm as composting inputs and added enzymes like IMO, EM, mokusako and Trichoderma as inputs. Cover cropping, tillage and green manuring are also being done in the farm.
He also follows crop rotation and multiple cropping. He even practices intensive crop production due to limited area in order to meet the demand of the market for organically-produced/grown vegetables.
Further, he also practices crop diversification alongside crop programming. He knew that planting a variety of vegetables crops supports a wider range of beneficial insects, soil microorganisms, and other factors that add up to overall farm health. Crop rotation is also being done as pest control strategy. In addition for pest control, limited number of chicken is allowed to roam in the growing areas to prey on insects.
One unique feature of the farm is the construction of terraced plots for soil and water conservation. Mr. Valerio considered first the security of the production area before fully developing the farm.
Soil conservation practices and erosion control
The farm’s terrain is steep one but he managed to transform it to become productive despite the small area. In order to prevent soil erosion, he gradually built terraces and used stones and cement-clay bricks as support walls. With limited budget, clay blocks are made on site using 10 parts soil and one part cement. There are mixed, poured in a mold 4”x8”x16” like the ones being used for hollow blocks. After 6 hours it can be used. It is inexpensive but begins to disintegrate after five years and have to be replaced or changed. Where available, stone riprap, hollow blocks or solid concrete block (SCB) are preferred as they last longer.
Coming from mining company, Valerio is very particular when it comes to soil protection, thus integrating the basic of soil conservation in the farm. He planted various crops to serve as support for the terraces, erosion control and cash crops.
Chinese Malunggay, is planted as hedgerow along edges of terraces or top of riprap. It should be planted very close at 2 centimeters apart with 2 or more rows. It serves as erosion control and wind break if allowed to grow a meter high. He also planted Vetiver grass along the edges as it grows in clumps and deeply rooted but does not spread out. This can also be cut periodically as mulch. Australian peanut is recommended as ground cover especially earth-filled areas since it is deep rooted and crawls long distance. However it should not be planted on or near crop production areas as it tends to be invasive. The plant is being used as green manure or compost material.
Aside from these, other nitrogen-fixing plants (flamengia, caliandra and rhinzoni), carabao grass, and lemon grass were planted waterways and pathways. These crops at the same time serve as wind breakers and buffers. He further included pineapple as hedgerows and as cash crop.
One strategy that Valerio employed to conserve soil was to dig up catch basins. These are dug at the end of each terrace canal to trap soil particles from being carried away. The size is variable to suit the actual field condition. It can be any size or depth at canal end before rain water spills into the main drainage canal. As the basin is filled, the soils trapped are shoveled back to the growing bed and terraces.
Farm production practices
Mr. Valerio grows string beans, lettuce, petchay, and other highland and lowland vegetables depending on his crop programming.
Another innovation Mr. Valerio made was the improvised grill like bamboo and stick. Instead of using mulch, these bamboo and sticks are laid over the plots to protect new plants especially from roaming chickens. Further, nylon cord and burlap strings are used as improvised trellis but preferred the nylon string as it can last for a year of more.
Mr. Valerio gives attention to soil moisture conservation as well, thus, application of mulch (coconut husk, dried grass) is very important in his farm production. Mulching also suppresses the growth of weeds that competes with the main crops.
With the introduction of rain shelters and drip irrigation systems, he then included these structures in his farm.
In the later years of his farm development, he established a mukosako production. He attested that the mukosako was a very helpful input to his farm production as it enhances fruit growth; helps prevent pests specially fungal diseases and accelerates plant growth. On the application of mukosako, it is diluted with water depending on the purpose. To kill pests, apply one part mukosako mixed with 20 parts water (1:20 ratio) to the soil; to kill weeds, apply 1:50 ratio to the soil is suggested; 1:100 ratio to prevent stems and roots from rotting; and 1:400 ratio to plant is recommended to prevent plant lice.
Another latest innovation he introduced in the farm was the installation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles as water cups to collect rain water. He collects the used emptied drinking bottle, soda bottles and recycled these as water-collecting cups.
PET bottles of one liter size or bigger are cut from the V shaped portion to make rain cups. The upper part is inverted like a funnel and filled with sand to act as filter. They are then buried in close rows in the growing plots about 50-60 centimeters deep of variable width and length to collect rain drops. A black hose is inserted in one of the bottles to monitor percolated water. Buried bottles are covered with sacks, compost or green manure then top soil ready for planting. During rainy season, water seeps into the cups and are expected to be filled up for roots to reach during dry season.
Presently, Mr. Valerio is not physically able to personally till the farm but he managed to pass on the farming practices to Alma, one of his relatives, who is willing to sustain the farm production. Alma is having hard time in diligently following the farming practices of VnL however; she is willing as she sees the value of a safe and responsible farming.
(JSagpaey & VRamos)
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