Today is :

Success Story

“As a farmer, heart and soul, it is always my goal to produce vegetable crops with the highest quality, rich in vitamins and minerals.  And the only certain way to grow the best vegetable crops and enjoy nutritious supply of food is by growing them organically”.  This is from, Mr. Pat Acosta who put up a 3000 sq. m. micro-eco farm named, Master's Garden, located at Brgy Pinalyok, Puguis, La Trinidad.

It was a mere vision in 1999 to develop a farm where salad greens and vegetables would grow.  It was not easy for him to put his vision into operation during the first few years.  He faced problems especially acceptance of the community.  Mr. Acosta doubted whether what he is doing would be better than the conventional method of farming.  But producing tasty and nutritious vegetables has gained the trust and credibility he had been wanting.

Operations
The Master's Garden introduces organic vegetable production.  “It is a production system that avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic fertilizer, pesticides, growth regulators and chemicals.  It relies on crop rotation, crop residue, animal manure, legumes, green manure, off-farm organic wastes, mechanical cultivation and mineral bearing rocks for their production.  It also uses biological pest control to control insects, weeds and other pests to maintain productivity.”

The Garden produces its own organic fertilizers utilizing weeds.  A certain amount of compost from wild plants, kitchen scraps, weeds, leaves, etc. is produced every month, to maintain soil fertility.

“One does not need a big farm to grow vegetables and be profitable,” Mr. Acosta commented.  “With this, I am happy that I have benefited greatly from my minimum input which is now maximized with organic gardening,” he added.

The farm has been producing lettuce, carrots, broccoli, peas, cucumber, tomatoes, beans, cabbage and a wide range of culinary herbs.  Flowering plants are also available at reasonable prices.  Tools and other garden equipment are also sold.

The Master’s Garden does not only serve as production area but also as an educational facility.  This influences more people into organic farming.  School children are exposed first hand to the many processes involved in vegetable growth.

Loving nature
The techniques developed are in partnership with nature to grow the best food possible, while making the soil healthier and protecting the environment.

“Even if farming as a business requires minding return on investment, waste reduction, quality/quantity of products and profitability, we should not lose sight of our environmental responsibility, that is to leave the world better than when we found it,” Mr. Acosta remarked.

Bits and pieces of success
After almost seven years of operation, they still face the problem on certification.  People are uncertain whether their products are really organic.  This never hindered them though in their operations.  “Certification was replaced by mere trust and word of honor to the buyers and the markets.” Mr. Acosta said.  They became successful due to persistence and innovative gardening techniques.

Reaching farmers
Mr. Acosta, the local government unit of La Trinidad and the Municipal Agriculture Office, and the farmers formed the La Trinidad Organic Practitioners Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LaTOP-MPC) for a joint marketing system with technology sharing.

Master's Garden owner, Pat Acosta (left) with Dr. George Kuo (2nd from left), deputy director for International Cooperation of AVRDC; Ms. Mandy Lin, principal research scientist and technical staff of IC-AVRDC (right); and Ms. Leonora Verzola, asst. RIARC manager in CAR (2nd from right).

Through Mayor Nestor Fonguin, a stall is occupied by LaTOP-MPC at the La Trinidad Public Market to sell organically produced vegetables.  On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the Coop sells organic vegetables in Baguio to promote and share their ideas.  They will soon bring quality organically produced products to Manila.

The coop offers training courses in organic gardening to interested participants.  The modules include organic gardening, a to z of organic gardening, composting and container gardening.  For children, it provides them a guided tour, shows them experiments and provides them hand-on experiences.

On a personal note
“But what is most fulfilling to me is the smile and heartfelt thanks I receive from everyone, knowing that they purchased the best and most nutritious vegetables,” remarked Mr. Acosta.  He added that it is more satisfying to know that he had done what is most beneficial for his family, friends, community and the environment.

Even as an entrepreneur, Mr. Acosta still gives priority to his family.  “I want my family to benefit first.  It gives me joy seeing them consume only the best and most nutritious vegetables,” he said.  He considers his enterprise a win-win situation; it nourishes his family while generating an income.

As a farmer, he has equipped himself with the right knowledge and proper skills to raise such a productive farm.  A horticulturist at heart, he developed his confidence through trainings at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and hands-on knowledge while visiting organic farms abroad.  With his enthusiasm and passion he keeps on reading technical materials then applies his knowledge on his farm.

One step forward
Mr. Acosta envisions the Philippines to set trend on exportation of organically produced vegetables.  “Through the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP), we can be a world leader in organic agriculture,” Mr. Acosta ended.