Driven by a deep desire to uphold his family’s legacy and provide for their needs, Mr. Teodoro Kub-ao Jr. chose to embrace farming as his lifelong profession, despite holding a degree in Civil Engineering.
“Farming was our only source of income, so we had dedicate ourselves fully to it. It wasn’t just about planting and harvesing; it was about maximizing what little we had to ensure we could sustain our needs”, shared by Mr. Kub-ao as he recalls their condition during his childhood.
Now 60 years old, he manages Kub-ao’s Integrated Farm, an accredited Learning Site for Agriculture by the Agricultural Training Institute. As an accredited LSA, he serves as an inspiration to different generations embracing modern agricultural practices.
His success right now was not the result of an easy journey. When he was four years old, his father passed away, leaving their mother to work tirelessly in the field, to support their family of ten. His shared struggles inspired him and his siblings to persevere. He became a working student balancing his school responsibilities while helping on the farm. Through his dedication and hardwork he obtained his respective degree.
Today, Mr. Kub-ao returned to farming, realizing its potential for sustainable livelihood. His Humble Beginning
After finishing his degree, he was first employed by the Provincial Local Government Unit of Kalinga as a Job Order. Realizing that his profession was not aligned to with his interest, he decided to leave the office and assist his mother in cultivating their farm. Here, he applied his degree by continuously innovating and integrating systematic approaches to farming.
Accordingly, “Diay panag ikat ko ngay ediay work ko idi ket kasla iso ngay ti nangited pay kanyak iti opportunity. Ta a kas imimprovek ngay daytoy farm ket makaenencounter ak iti agencies nga kasla mang asasisst kanyak ken mangiumumay iti programs da, (When I left my job back then, it felt like it opened up opportunities for me. It allowed me to focus on improving the farm, and as I worked on these improvements, I encountered agencies that provided assistance and introduced me to programs that were available and applicable to the farm)”.
Just like other farmers in his community, he employs diversify farming system, integrating livestock, vegetables, rice, poultry and fishpond. He sees this as an opportunity to maximize the potential of his income.
Before receiving accreditation under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), Mr. Kub-ao’s farm already served as a learning hub, particularly for out-of-school youth under Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Agriculture. His farm was used as a learning hub for 4H members in their community, teaching them various practices on agricultural production.
Recognizing the potential of his farm, he was given the opportunity by TESDA to offer Agricultural Crop Production, a course designed to provide hands-on training in crop cultivation and modern farming techniques. This responsibility created an impact on the local youth and farmers by providing essential skills to enhance their agricultural practices.
He stated “These interventions would not have been possible if I had not participated in various capability-building activities which enhanced my knowledge and skills in agricultural production. I am very grateful to the agricultural sector agencies, as I was always included in these learning sessions”.
Towards Learning Site for Agriculture
Sakbay tayo nga na accredit as RCEF-LSA ket ada dagiti partnership nga activity nga enconconduct tayo with ATI. Ken nakitraitraining tayo metlang kenyada. Sunga with the partnerships ket iso metlang nangkitaan da nga ada potential na daytoy farm tanu agbalin nga LSA, (Before being accredited by RCEF, we worked closely with ATI. They recognized my potential and recommended me for accreditation. Without ATI’s support, I wouldn’t have reached the level of recognition I have today)”, he mentioned.
Through this continued partnership, he gained qualifications to apply for TESDA’s farm school.
As a result, in 2021, his farm was officially recognized Learning Site for Agriculture under the RCEF program. With this, he joined the Training of Trainers on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds and Farm Mechanization.
This training provided him with valuable knowledge and skills which he integrated into his rice production, resulting in an average harvest of 10 metric tons per hectare. “Dakel talaga ti impact na daytoy mechanization iti farming practices, (This mechanization has had a significant impact on farming practices)”, he mentioned.
His accreditation provided him with a small start-up capital to establish his training hall. Considering that the capital was not enough, he has also used personal funds to complete the learning hall to accommodate students interested in joining the Farmers Field School on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds and Farm Mechanization.
Through the conduct of FFS, Mr. Kub-ao has trained individuals, from aspiring young farmers to experienced growers, equipping them with the skills needed to adapt to the challenges of modern agriculture. His mentorship and continuous learning have not only elevated his own farm but inspired others to transform their agricultural practices, driving progress throughout the community.
With a clear vision of making his farm a learning area, he continues to innovate and improve his facilities, offering accommodation and catering services through the income generated from the conducted batches of FFS. This investment in the farm’s infrastructure became a model which inspired other farm schools in the province to adopt similar innovations.
“Mayat ditoy ayan me ta agiinapal kami in a good way. No ada makita mi nga napintas nga innovation nga inaramid ti kadwa me ket ma inspire kami ngay nga managaramid met wenno ag innovate met, (What’s great about our place is that our attention is drawn when we see other farm schools improved. When we witness good innovation made by our fellow farmers, it inspires us to do the same or to innovate as well)”, he shared. For him, diversifying the services he provides contributed to his economic development.
He may be fully devoted to his farm, yet he also holds a leadership position in his community as head of the Borobor Integrated Irrigators Association. In this capacity, he played a crucial part in requesting resources, including water pumps and tractors, which significantly enhanced the productivity and sustainability of local farmers in the organization. As a leader, he worked to provide the needs and support of his organization to succeed, strengthening his reputation as a dedicated leader and a catalyst for progressive transformation in the sector.
As he continues to train and mentor future generations of farmers, he shared that success is attained through hard work, perseverance and willingness to learn.
Mr. Kub-ao’s vision remains clear: to build a sustainable and self-sufficient farming community that thrives, no matter the challenges. He is a beacon of hope for others, proving that with persistence and vision, progress is possible even in the face of adversity.
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