22 Hinabay and Cabulisan farmers are now certified organic farmers

The soil up there is rich and fertile. The wonder of organic farming will keep it forever.

Earlier this month, we have 22 upland farmers in Hinabay and Cabulisan who completed the long months of training on organic farming. They learned how to make natural fertilizers and pest control that saves farming costs and preserves the quality of their farm soils. More buyers, particularly those who are health conscious, are now patronizing organic vegetables. The produce are easily sold out for those who know that farm products are grown organically by our farmers.

The scenic verdant view of Cabulisan, once dubbed as the little Baguio of Leyte.

I expect the certified Inopacnon farmers to echo their learning to the rest of our farmers and  promote upland farming as another interesting venue for Agritourism. Organic farming would best support my long-time idea of promoting agritourism or agrotourism, just like in other Asian countries and other parts of the world. Agritourism or agrotourism is the activity of bringing visitors to a farm or any agricultural field. This would attract more tourists who would like to have a hands-on farm experience. It is  a perfect alternative tourism adventure in Inopacan. Here, we can let our visitors learn and experience the life and cultures on how the lands are tilled and prepared for  planting or enjoy the bounty of harvests. Agritourism will bring money to our local farmers for tourists may buy produce directly from a farm stand or place of harvest. The visitors may also be offered to  navigate the rice fields and vegetable farms, feed or care animal farms, pick fruits, or stay at a bed and breakfast (B&B) on a farm under the care of our local farmers and family.

Welcome to Hinabay

I would suggest also to our upland farmers that they should start now farming and cultivating flowers by taking advantage the cool environment up there.  Flower business is a promising industry and can be expanded to promote the production of honeybees where bees actively supports pollination of fruit flowers that contribute bountiful harvests to everyone's delight. That would be a scenic and fruity ecology in action.

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• We have more fun in Inopacan

From the Cuatro Islas of Inopacan horizon and its colorful sunsets, we can now lead and connect the roads of local tourism to higher level, literally, up there where the sun rises. Then, there will be more wishlists for tourists and more wonders to discover between the sunrise and sunset of Inopacan.

Back to our  certified organic farmers. Here is a reprint of the story of our 22 local organic farmers from Hinabay and Cabulisan as featured in the April 08, 2016 post of the PIA online:

Leyte ARBs now certified organic vegetable farmers

Leyte ARBs now certified organic vegetable farmers

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 8 - Some 22 farmers from two highland barangays of Inopacan, Leyte are now certified organic vegetable producers after completing the five months training on High Value Vegetable Production using Technology on Natural Farming System.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Director Sheila Enciso said organic farming is environment-friendly and the products are good for the health.

“This kind of farming is more tedious than the traditional way of growing vegetables, which uses hazardous chemicals. With organic farming they can save more money for they no longer use pesticides and expensive fertilizers,” she said.

Enciso said her office tapped the East-West Seed Company for the conduct of the training under the Agricultural Enterprise Development component of the second phase of the Agrarian Reform Community Project (ARCP-II).

Participants of the said training were members of the Hinabay Upland Farmers Association (HUFA) and the Cabulisan Multi-Purpose Upland Farmers Association (CAMUFA), who all expressed gratitude for having been trained on organic vegetable production.

According to Edelito Merano Sr., 51, the farmers now use worm manure produced by the CAMAFU as fertilizers for their farms.

Merchant Cristeta Abenoja disclosed that there are more buyers of organic vegetables than those grown the traditional way.

Her vegetables from barangays Hinabay and Cabulisan are easily sold out for consumers already know that products from these villages are grown organically, Abenoja said.

Various organic vegetables abounded during the farmers’ graduation as it coincided with the harvest festival.

Meanwhile, 47 other farmers (27 from the town of Tolosa, Leyte and 20 from Pinabacdao), Samar likewise completed the same training last month though on separate occasions and venue, Enciso added. (JAS/LDL/DAR-8/PIA-8)

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1211460080574/leyte-arbs-now-certified-organic-vegetable-farmers#sthash.IcFQVCDu.dpuf

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 8 - Some 22 farmers from two highland barangays of Inopacan, Leyte are now certified organic vegetable producers after completing the five months training on High Value Vegetable Production using Technology on Natural Farming System.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Director Sheila Enciso said organic farming is environment-friendly and the products are good for the health.

“This kind of farming is more tedious than the traditional way of growing vegetables, which uses hazardous chemicals. With organic farming they can save more money for they no longer use pesticides and expensive fertilizers,” she said.

Enciso said her office tapped the East-West Seed Company for the conduct of the training under the Agricultural Enterprise Development component of the second phase of the Agrarian Reform Community Project (ARCP-II).

Participants of the said training were members of the Hinabay Upland Farmers Association (HUFA) and the Cabulisan Multi-Purpose Upland Farmers Association (CAMUFA), who all expressed gratitude for having been trained on organic vegetable production.

According to Edelito Merano Sr., 51, the farmers now use worm manure produced by the CAMAFU as fertilizers for their farms.

Merchant Cristeta Abenoja disclosed that there are more buyers of organic vegetables than those grown the traditional way.

Her vegetables from barangays Hinabay and Cabulisan are easily sold out for consumers already know that products from these villages are grown organically, Abenoja said.

Various organic vegetables abounded during the farmers’ graduation as it coincided with the harvest festival.

Meanwhile, 47 other farmers (27 from the town of Tolosa, Leyte and 20 from Pinabacdao), Samar likewise completed the same training last month though on separate occasions and venue, Enciso added. (JAS/LDL/DAR-8/PIA-8)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1211460080574/leyte-arbs-now-certified-organic-vegetable-farmers#sthash.IcFQVCDu.dpuf