At 80 years old, Juditha S. Alinob or “Bae Dalampanan” is unfazed both from the demands of farm work and challenges in life. As part of the Higaonon Tribe in Kiabo, Malitbog, Bukidnon, I can’t believe at first that at her age, she is still part of the farming folks who continually feeds hungry mouths in the country today. From the get go, Bae (pronounced Ba-i), produces banana and peanuts since she is one of the contract growers of GreenMinds Incorporated owned and manage by Reynaldo Gil “Datu Makadingding” G. Lomarda. GreenMinds Incorporated, a fair trade advocate makes sure the farm products get patronized first by buying their produce firsthand by bulk. They have been engaged in agribusiness which help create jobs and business activities in rural and far-flung areas in Bukidnon. So whenever I enjoy a quick snack of sweet banana chips or savory peanuts, I think of Lola Juditha.
Age is Nothing
Lola Juditha is among the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) engaged in the production and processing of organic farm produce such as corn, banana, abaca, coffee, sweet potato, cassava and peanuts. Having set foot only in elementary school, I saw no trace of regret nor remorse on her now aging face as she told me that farming is her main source of income. In fact, there was an unmistakable contentment as she continues to navigate life by almost singlehandedly raising her seven children since the sudden death of her husband. “Kay tungod pobre mi, mao kana akong rason nganong kinahanglan ko maningkamot nga maka-kaon mi ug dili magutman.” (And because we are poor, that is the very reason why I need to strive hard so we can eat and that we don’t go around hungry), she said with conviction.
Still Standing
Dauntless and determined, Lola Juditha caught wind of a program assistance organized and launched by the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC X) in October 2017. The Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) Project of the ATI considered them a beneficiary of numerous trainings mounted by the center along with GreenMinds Incorporated in equipping them practical and sensible farming tips and knowledge.
The CRA Project also intends to utilize relevant Indigenous Knowledge and Systems, (2.) provide a doable and replicable model of maximum land utilization and (3.) integrate Climate Change Adaptation measures in agriculture. Lola Juditha attended the “Processing and Food Safety” Training mounted and pursued whatever new farming knowledge are there on hand. Later, her persistence paid off since her work in the farm would become manageable after receiving posttraining support such shovel, rake, and fertilizers. In addition, she also raised a pair of pigs as livestock support to jumpstart her venture in hog raising.
Not Quitting
In a day’s work, Lola Juditha starts working on her farm from 7AM until 10AM. The many farming technologies taught by the project did not diminish her belief that the old practice of sweet potato planting on a full moon still applies today. She does not aspire for big profit nor a large sum of income, she only aspires to cover her basic need which is food, shelter and clothing. In my hourlong interview with Lola Juditha, I digged in deeper and I further asked her what assistance she needs at the moment. “Kung akoy pabut-on, nagkinahanglan ko ug kwarta dili para sa ako pero para sa akong mga inadlawan sa akong uma.” (If it’s up to me, I need cash not for me, but for my farm workers who need income on a daily basis), she said matter-offactly. For Lola Juditha, farm work proves to be daunting in her diversified half-hectare farm lot specially now that there is a sure market and the demands of her quality organic peanuts are high. There must be something special in the provincial lifestyle to which Lola Juditha is used to. Factor in the fresh farm produce and readily available farm commodities at her disposal. Indeed, Lola Juditha shows no sign of stopping despite old age. You can still count on her gathering huge helpings of sweet potatoes one fine day.