Johnny Gatuz, 55-year old, a former OFW who worked in Saudi Arabia for five years, tills his farm in San Rafael, Bulacan with the help of his wife, Marivic.
The Gatuzes borrowed P50,000 for the rent of their first hectare of land where they planted squash and okra.
Their turning point happened in 2015. They started intercropping and planting tomatoes, ampalaya, and papaya.
Before, he rents his farmlands. Now, expanded it with 4.5 hectares of land now. He also has his own water pump , power spray, grass cutter, and a hand tractor.
Their turning point happened in 2015. They started intercropping and planting tomatoes, ampalaya, and papaya.
Before, he rents his farmlands. Now, expanded it with 4.5 hectares of land now. He also has his own water pump , power spray, grass cutter, and a hand tractor.
Just 90 minutes ride away from San rafael, another smallholder farmer, Rowena Mendez Manalo proved that there is indeed money in farming, so much that his son who is a former OFW (seaman) no longer needs to work overseas. In March last year, after two days straight of counting every corn harvest priced at 10 each, they earned their first ₱1 million.
It was a great relief for Manalo and her husband Jun, who two decades ago rented their first 5,000 square meters of farmland with a loaned capital of P5,000. Part of which they used in buying ampalaya and string beans seeds.
As their neighbor who are veteran farmers taunt them, her husband Jhun would console her with a promise that one day, they will have their own farm, including the lands of those who belittled them.
After 20 years, the Manalos now own seven hectares of farmland on which they grow corn and eggplants. The purple eggplants they produce make their farm resemble lavender fields during the harvest time.
These former OFWs who became farmers and now earning more than they are enjoying while working miles away from their families are now both nominated for East-West’s “Search For 35 Hero Farmers” across the country.
With constant seminars combined with their own skills in farming that they have developed overtime through experiences, they are now enjoying a good life with their loved ones.
Manalo and Gatuz have both been nominated for East-West’s “Search For 35 Hero Farmers” across the country. Source: Manila Standard
After 20 years, the Manalos now own seven hectares of farmland on which they grow corn and eggplants. The purple eggplants they produce make their farm resemble lavender fields during the harvest time.
These former OFWs who became farmers and now earning more than they are enjoying while working miles away from their families are now both nominated for East-West’s “Search For 35 Hero Farmers” across the country.
With constant seminars combined with their own skills in farming that they have developed overtime through experiences, they are now enjoying a good life with their loved ones.
Manalo and Gatuz have both been nominated for East-West’s “Search For 35 Hero Farmers” across the country. Source: Manila Standard
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