The title may sound like a Bruno Mars song but extension workers here do ask farmers if they wish to be in the mold of Nole Billonid, a farmer from Barangay Tungao, Butuan City, who at 41, is already an established livestock raiser, a learning site cooperator, and a Farm School owner.

As early as 2009, Nole was already raising layer chicken and started his small-scale egg-laying business. But because it was molting season for his chicken at that time, he decided to shift to raising pigs thinking that his piggery business would augment his loss from his egg-laying venture. Molting season is when hens take a vacation from laying eggs and redirect their energy to regrowing feathers. Unfortunately, Nole’s strategy did not help better his income because of losses from diseases and the lack of knowledge on the care and maintenance of both his chicken and pigs. Added to that, Nole also lacked state-of-the-art machines and devices to ensure the superior quality of his animals.

For a decade, Nole did not prosper as a farmer. His income was just enough to feed himself, his wife, and three growing children. However, his golden days started in 2019 when he was introduced to the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) through the City Veterinary Office of Butuan City. The meeting became the springboard for more learnings and opportunities from ATI. Nole was able to attend training courses such as the National Trainers’ Course on Swine Artificial Insemination (AI) which he attended at the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry in Lipa City, Batangas. There he learned the importance of AI as a tool in producing quality breeds and genetic improvement of the stock in the locality.

That same year, his Billonid Agricultural Learning Center and Integrated & Diversified Farm were certified by ATI as a Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA). As such, Nole received ICT equipment and other items to fully functionalize his multi-purpose training hall. In 2020, his LSA certification and ATI’s endorsement paved the way for his farm to be accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as a Farm School. Early this year, he started offering the course Animal Production for Poultry NC II. The first batch with 50 slots was successfully completed and he is looking forward to the next batch to begin later in the year.

In retrospect, Nole admitted that he would only be a typical poor Filipino farmer had it not been for the help of many government agencies.

“Daghan gyuy natabang sa ako ang ATI dili lang sa pagbuhi ug baboy apil na pud akong pagka Farm School pinaagi sa ilang mga trainings ug NC II nga gikinahanglan sa TESDA. Dili lang gamit sa AI ang ilang gihatag sa ako pati na mga equipment, feed mixer, ug incubator. Tungod sa ATI, medyo naka level up nako karon as a farmer. Nagpasalamat pud ko sa tanang ahensya sa gobyerno sama sa Department of Agriculture, City Veterinary Office ug TESDA. Kung wala sila dili pud ko ma ingon ani.” (ATI really helped me a lot not only in raising pigs but also in becoming a Farm School because of their NC II trainings which are requirements of TESDA. They did not only give me AI equipment but also things like feed mixer and incubator. Because of ATI, I have levelled up as a farmer. I’m also very thankful to other government agencies who helped me like the Department of Agriculture, City Veterinary Office and TESDA. Without them I would not be like this now).

Because of the many blessings Nole received, he now has the drive to pay forward his graces to his fellow farmers through knowledge sharing and giving of farm and business advisories.

“Gi-commit gyud nako nga usa ko sa makatabang sa mga neighboring barangays ug sa tanan nga gusto mag-baboy labin a sa mga IPs, mga rebel returnees, ug drug surrenderees. Akong ma share sa ila is, unsaon pagpadako sa baboy ug unsaon pag-inject. Makatabang pud ko sa akong mga fellow farmers labi na sa mga naa sa Tungao nga mangayo ug advise sa akoa parte sa pagpamuhi ug baboy o manok.” (I committed myself as one of those who will help the neighboring barangays and others who would like to raise pigs especially the IPs, rebel returnees, and drug surrenderees. What I can share to them is how to grow pigs and how to inject. I can also help my fellow farmers especially those residing in Tungao who ask for advise on raising pigs and chicken).

When asked about his secret to success, he simply said hard work and determination. “Dapat magpabiling hardworking ang mga farmers. Dili nang magtrabaho ta nga basta nalang. Hatagan nato ug bili. Mag-focus sa trabaho. Kung wala kay hard work ug determination, dili gyud ka mu-successful sa kinabuhi ug sa negosyo.” (Farmers should remain hardworking. They should not work for work’s sake but they should give value in what they are doing. They need to focus on work. If you do not have hard work and determination, you will never be successful in life and in business).

Today, Nole Billonid is no billionaire. But with his hard work and determination enshrined in his heart, one day he might just be that man in Bruno Mars’ song who can buy all the things he never had.