Soldiers, ex-rebels intensify mini farm program

KANANGA, LEYTE , Philippines  â€“ The 19th Infantry Battalion based in this town and the Land Bank Countryside Development Foundation Inc. are continuing their partnership to encourage former rebels and their relatives to engage in organic mini farms, part of the government’s sustainable livelihood program.

Last week, Gil Carandang, considered the “father of Philippine organic farming,” and Domingo Diaz, a director of the Land Bank, visited the 19th IB camp to evaluate the status of a model farm set up in the camp. Also present were 20 former rebels who have their own mini organic farms.

Carandang was pleased to see that the 300-square meter garden at the camp was thriving and said it would be a good model for the ex-rebels and those interested to adopt the technology.

The mini-farm program is specially designed for vegetable growers. Under the concept, a grower is guaranteed a net monthly income of not less than P10,000 for a 1,000-square meter farm area, where raising swine and poultry may also be integrated.

To ensure its success, the beneficiaries are taught methods of land preparation and management as well as formulating natural fermented fertilizers and pesticides to enhance the growth of their vegetables and control pests and diseases.

Lt. Col. Nedy Espulgar, commanding officer of the 19th IB, said they are maintaining four clusters of mini farms in the towns of Kananga, San Isidro, Calubian and Jaro with an aggregate planting area of five hectares. If earning projections are maintained, the farms have a potential of earning P 500,000 a month for the beneficiaries.

Espulgar said he also believes that the mini-farm concept is the “ultimate tool” that can address poverty in communities, which makes it a breeding ground for discontent and easy recruitment by communist elements.

Landbank’s Diaz, on the other hand, assured the soldiers and ex-rebels that the bank will assist in finding a market for the produce from the mini farms. In a session with beneficiaries titled “Sustainable Integrated Natural Organic Mini Farm Program” held at Brgy. Lemon, Capoocan, Leyte, Diaz said they were already negotiating with leading malls in Cebu as a potential market for the vegetables that would be produced by the clusters.