News—Indigenous farmers from Usbong Katutubo, Pampanga, visit the SVD Farm with DA 3 for benchmarking
Tagaytay City—Indigenous farmers from Region 3, accompanied by representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 3, visited the SVD Laudato Si' Farm last August 5, 2024.
The visit was part of the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (DA 4K) Program, aimed at empowering indigenous communities through sustainable agriculture.
The visiting group, members of the Usbong Katutubo Indigenous People Agricultural Cooperative from Brgy. Camias, Porac, Pampanga, were welcomed to the SVD Farm with an orientation session at the Boulevard Kubo.
The orientation was led by Mr. Juan Miguel Ala-Tolentino, Corporate Communications Department Head at the SVD Farm, who introduced the SVD Farm's sustainability principles, guided by Pope Francis and the encyclical Laudato Si'.
Following the orientation, the farmers were given a guided tour of the St. Raphael Organic Farming Area. Mrs. Joylene V. Leynes, Operations Management Department Head, and Mr. Ronnel Landicho, Farm Production Unit Supervisor, led the tour.
During their tour of the SVD Farm's greenhouses, farm plots, and livestock area, Mrs. Leynes and Mr. Landicho shared insights into the SVD Farm's sustainability practices in farming, including composting, vermiculture, and crop rotation, all aimed at restoring and preserving the natural environment.
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The highlight of the visit was an interview with Mr. Ronald Popatco, an Aeta farmer and member of the Usbong Katutubo Cooperative. Popatco expressed his admiration for the SVD Farm's commitment to natural farming.
“Na-amaze po ako dito sa SVD Farm dahil talagang pino-promote po nito ang pagiging natural,” Popatco shared. “Para sa akin kasi, dapat palagi tayong bumalik sa natural dahil ito ang pinagmulan natin, ang kinagisnan natin. Ito ang magpapatibay, makakapag-renew ng ating buhay dito sa mundo. Ang nature, ibinigay ng Panginoon sa atin iyan, kaya huwag nating abusuhin, ibalik natin sa natural.”
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The benchmarking visit served as a meaningful exchange of knowledge and sustainable practices. The exchange of ideas and experiences between the indigenous farmers of Pampanga and the SVD Farm, enabled by the support of the Department of Agriculture, highlighted the shared goal of preserving the environment while promoting sustainable livelihoods.
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For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org