According to George M. Moore Jr., A winner is just a loser who tried one more time.

It portrays Fe Sarabia’s experience in convincing her husband to go into organic farming.

A 48-year old Aling Fe from Brgy. Tag-uyango, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur is a graduate of Bachelor of Agricultural Technology in Caraga State University (CSU), Ampayon, Butuan City.

She got married to Mang Rolando and started farming in 1995 as their source of income especially in raising their children.

At the fresh start, Aling Fe said that she really took courage of convincing her husband to avoid using inorganic chemicals that would harm their family’s health.

“At first, my husband hated me for convincing him to go into organic farming. We came to a point that we always argue with each other, not once but most of the time because we have contrasting point of view…he wanted immediate results and production while I wanted lesser cost of inputs and on health concerns,” uttered Aling Fe.

Trying it once, twice…

“At first attempt in using organic fertilizers, we were really devastated with the lower yield for two cropping seasons. My husband blamed me for what had happened. In 2000, we tried 50:50 ratio wherein we have to mix the inorganic and organic fertilizers and see the results. My husband wasn’t convinced then because our harvest decreased due to lower yield. My husband lost hope and still insisted his belief that applying organic is not good at all and it gains nothing.” Aling Fe narrated.

In 2014, when she became a Barangay Agricultural Worker (BAW), she again encouraged Mang Lando to apply organic agriculture technologies since she has all the access of information from series of training she had attended from ATI. “I vowed not to lose hope because there are lots of technologies that we can apply to attain higher yield and income,” Aling Fe told.

Among others, she learned the advantages of not burning rice straw instead letting it decompose in the field after harvesting. Later it can be used as compost because it is rich in potassium which is one of the essential elements needed by the plants. Aside from the rice compost, they also adopted the green manuring techniques by planting mungbean during fallow period that would give lots of nutrients particularly nitrogen.

Owing it to ATI

Aling Fe proudly said that she gained knowledge on organic agriculture from the trainings conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 13. In fact, the institute’s School-On-the Air (SOA) program on organic agriculture that was implemented in Agusan del Sur aroused her interest to practice organic farming. “I felt the eagerness then not only for financial but health reasons as well,” she recalled.

Convinced at last

Time came that Mang Lando discovered techniques in applying organic agriculture in his own farm.
“I just realized that I just only need discipline on what kind of fertilizer that I must use. From the advice of the DA and ATI personnel that as farmers, we must examine the whole area of our farm and observe the condition of the crops following the organic practice, you can already see the recommended solution against any pest and diseases that may attack on the farm,” he uttered.

As an Organic Advocate

The couple has been practicing organic farming for four years now. They have reaped the fruits of OA by acquiring sari-sari store, internet shop, and were able to send their three children to college who are now taking up agriculture and fishery courses.

They have their vegetable farm planted with okra, kangkong, siling labuyo, ampalaya, sibuyas, and eggplant. They also have a cultivated land devoted to rice and corn production.

“Farming is my passion, this is where I can exercise, make myself relax seeing my crops growing healthy. I felt relieved and happy,” Aling Fe smiled.
With her persistence and hardwork, she was awarded as Best BAW in 2016 during the 5th BAWs Congress held in ATI-RTC 13. She was chosen because of her innovativeness in applying the organic technologies in her farm.

Increasing yield and income

“We harvested 42 bags at 55 kilos/bag from my half hectare upland rice dinorado. This is quite an increase from the 33 bags harvest before I applied organic fertilizer,” Aling Fe proudly said.

Deep in Aling Fe’s heart, she knows that she did the right decision to shift to organic farming.

Her recent expenses also lowered to PhP 4,500.00 from a huge amount of PhP10,000.00 for just a half hectare land. Less expenses, more yield and income. These figures were supported with her updated farm records. “I kept my records updated, I listed in detail the expenses of inputs for the farm as well as the outputs in terms of yield and income,” Aling Fe stressed.

This is what Aling Fe wants to emphasize and share such testimony to her neighbors and co-farmers. She further said that in venturing organic farming, a farmer not only saves his money and his health, but also saves the environment as well.

What pushes her

“Honestly, aside from health concern, the drive that pushes me to venture organic farming is mainly on financing,” Aling Fe remarked. “Since we have three children who went into college, I have to find ways where farming needs lesser inputs yet higher yield. Together with my husband, we have to strive hard, we don’t even leave small parcel of land vacant,” she added.

A winner takes it all…

At last, Aling Fe won the heart of her husband as far as organic agriculture is concerned. For now, her husband also served as her partner in advocating organic farming. Through her numerous involvement, Aling Fe found an avenue wherein she can disseminate those information, worthy to be shared of.

Together with their children, the couple continued their legacy in advocating organic agriculture not only to their neighbors and friends but to the whole humanity. It is all for a healthy and wealthy community.