Manobo-owned coconut farm recovers from deforestation and is now a thriving farm business

A retired nurse turned a former coconut plantation in Quezon into a profitable natural farm in just three years.

THREE YEARS OF RECOVERY

During the early days of the farm, there were hardly any hardwood coconut trees in the area that survived from deforestation. From barren land, the Glinogas gradually transformed it into an arable area.

In the first year, they worked on reviving the fertility of the soil through vermicomposting. The initial goal for this was to make the land feasible for food production to provide food for the families who work for the farm. The succeeding year was about working on their next step, which is the restoration of the coconut trees. And in their third year of rebuilding the farm, that’s when they began growing animals and pollinators that are beneficial in completing the farm’s cycle. It was after three years of operation and development that the farm has recovered and now, it continues to be a thriving land with food and animal production.

During those times, the farm has not only improved, but it has also progressed into an enterprise. As they entered the market, GOF eventually got recognized for producing chemical pesticidefree vegetables and eggs. In 2019, they became an Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) accredited learning site for agriculture.

THE TREE OF LIFE AND OTHER CROPS

Aside from coconut production, GOF grows cacao, coffee, banana, black pepper, and fruit trees that cover 15 hectares of the land. Another four hectares are devoted to the animals where they raise free-range pigs (50 heads), goats (eight heads), chickens for meat (500 heads), layering (100 heads), and breeding (30 heads), and carabaos (two heads). Other areas are for vegetables, corn, rice, fish, and forage. The farm has an apiary of native stingless bees that serve as pollinators for the coconuts, too.

GOF practices natural farming protocols – for their fertilizer, they apply brewed vermicasts on the crops every month. They practice vermicomposting and mulching using the farm wastes as well. Manual and drip irrigation are also installed for their water supply. In managing pests and diseases, they give natural concoctions to the plants and animals to boost their health.

They do not harvest fruits directly from trees, but allow the coconuts to naturally fall to avoid harvesting unripe fruits. They utilize coconut husks for mulching, coconut pulp for animal feed, and coconut water for coco amino acids, a sauce similar to soy sauce, but is made with coconut.

Their weekly harvest is mainly sold to a big supermarket chain, while others are processed into value-added goods or sold to copra buyers. Veggies and other crops are also retailed in a weekend market. They also offer farm products like bamboo shoots, taro, yam, coco vinegar, jams, and more. Aside from the products, they offer training and workshops to local farmers. GOF is open for farm visits from other local farmers who wish to learn about raising chickens and native pigs.

FARM ACHIEVEMENTS AND HINDRANCES

GOF has received several awards and was also nominated a few times for national awards. In 2015, the farm was given organic certification by the Quezon Participatory Guarantee System (QPGS). Through this certification, it enabled the farm to be a part of the organic market and has allowed GOF to reach a vast network including the major retailers, which made the farm products available on store shelves.

Aside from accessibility being the farm’s biggest challenge, which they see as an edge over other farms, they also face problems in electricity. As per Glinoga, there’s always a blackout in their area and most times, it occurs not only for hours, but sometimes it lasts for days.

When it comes to marketing efforts, they use social media and connect with established clients with larger consumer reach.

GOF’S FARMHANDS

Since the farm harvests are both for trade and consumption, they had to shift to a more efficient process to prevent the abuse of resources. They stick to natural methods and have involved the community in the business to give job opportunities.

As of today, GOF has five regular farm hands and 20 parttime farmers. Several farmworkers have also undergone agriculture training on the farm for skills improvement. Farm hands are assigned in different zones including livestock, feed mixing, vegetable gardening, and concoction making. For new farmworkers, they would be trained and assisted until they can manage to perform their responsibilities on their own.

Along with the farm’s main goal to provide food for everyone is making sure that no one is left out. Inclusivity is something the farm promotes and ensures to implement by providing equal opportunities for everybody regardless of age, gender, religion or political belief, and physical abilities.

Photos courtesy of Glinoga Organic Farm