The 55-year-old farmer Boy Juan from Gamu, Isabela started farming in a small backyard space of 150 to 200 square meters.
He grew vegetables such as talong, okra, kamatis, and sili. But despite his hardwork, he earned between P500 to P3,000 per month.
“Dati na po akong nagtatanim. ‘Yan na ang buhay ko bago pa ang lahat. Sa likod-bahay lang po ako nagsimula,” he began.
Juan joined SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farming Program when it collaborated with Isabela State University in San Fermin, Cauayan City in 2015.
This is where it all began, he said.
Juan recalls how the training motivated him to improve his farming skills and knowledge. KSK introduced him to modern farming practices, crop timing, organic fertilizer production, seed selection, pest control, and proper land preparation.
“Ang pinaka-nagustuhan ko po sa Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan ay hindi lang basta nagturo sila ng modernong paraan ng pagtatanim kundi binigyan nila kami ng bagong pag-asa. Natutunan ko po na ang farming ay hindi lang basta trabaho, kundi isang negosyo,” he added.
After completing the training, Juan consistently applied what he learned until he was able to farm commercially, supplying vegetables to markets in Isabela, Urdaneta, Metro Manila, and other areas in the country.
A 2015 Throwback. Juan joins the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farming Program of SM Foundation, which he calls a turning point of his life.
His farm has been recognized by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as a Learning Site for Agriculture. His farm is also Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified by the DA.
In 2024, he timed his ampalaya planting schedule to align with good market prices and reported a net income of approximately ₱400,000. “Nakapag-ani ako ng ampalaya sa panahon na ang average na presyo ay more than ₱50 kada kilo,” he explained.
“Sa KSK, ang dami ko pong bagong natutunan… Pero ang pinaka-tumatak sa akin ay ang mindset na ‘magtanim ka hindi lang para sa sarili, kundi para sa kinabukasan,” he said.
Juan uses his income for daily family expenses and reinvests in his farming operations. He supports his community by sharing fresh produce and offering farming advice to others. His farm has alo become a destination for learning visits organized by both public and private institutions.
He noted that the KSK training paved the way for him to send his two children to college. “Dati po, hirap akong pag-aralin ang dalawa kong anak. Ngayon, napagtapos na namin sila ng kolehiyo, at pareho na silang may trabaho ngayon.”
His drive to show the potential of farming does not end with every harvest.
He regularly hosts training sessions and serves as a resource speaker. “Ginagawa na ring benchmark ang aking farm. May mga bumibisita mula sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng rehiyon upang matuto sa aking mga paraan ng pagtatanim,” he said. As he looks back, Juan proudly shares that KSK was his break, a turning point in his life.
“Ang KSK ay nagturo sa amin ng tamang teknolohiya, diskarte sa agrikultura, at higit sa lahat ito ay panibagong pag-asa. Hindi nila kami tinuruan para lang magtanim, kundi para magsimula ng sariling kwento ng tagumpay,” he said.
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