I was pleasantly surprised when I visited an apple orchard in Barangay Kapatagan in Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines, two weeks ago. Prior to this visit, I had no idea that apples could be grown in the country. This excursion was part of my work as I travel all over the Philippines to meet with farmers and learn about their practices, especially those who educate and inspire fellow farmers to enhance their skills.
The orchards I visited are recognized as “learning sites for agriculture” (LSAs) accredited by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) under the Department of Agriculture. These LSAs are crucial components of the nation’s agriculture and fisheries extension system, playing a significant role in strengthening the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sector, which I have often described as the backbone of the Philippine economy.
One particular farmer who caught my attention is Benzone Kennedy F. Sepe, a 31-year-old farmer/vlogger. He is demonstrating how young individuals with unconventional ideas can revolutionize the farming industry in due time. The agricultural sector in the Philippines has long been focused on rice production and has been associated with poverty, leading many young people to overlook it as a potential occupation. However, if more young people like Benzone are empowered to explore alternative paths, Philippine agriculture can diversify and generate higher incomes.
Benzone is not only cultivating apples but also propagating other fruits such as pears, raspberries, blueberries, figs, and many more. Because of his efforts, his orchard has gained recognition from ATI as a “rare fruit farm and nursery,” housing hundreds of trees that are thriving. His inspiration came from a trip to South Korea in 2015, where he witnessed successful cultivation of tropical mangoes in a cold climate using appropriate techniques and technology. This made him wonder if it would be possible to grow temperate fruits in our tropical environment.
Even before his trip to Korea, Benzone had already planted three apple seeds in his backyard, which he obtained from a Fuji apple bought at a supermarket. Out of the three sprouts, only one survived and eventually became the source of the hundreds of trees he now has. His passion and curiosity led him to pursue a course in Agriculture Technology at the Davao del Sur State College (DSSC), and later, he earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. His innovative mindset quickly gained him the support and guidance of his mentors, who continue to assist him in improving his enterprise and advocacy.
With the help of DSSC, Benzone conducted the standard Brix test for sweetness on his apples. Surprisingly, his apples showed significantly higher sugar content than the commercially available ones. He attributes this to the abundant sunlight in the Philippines, which allows for year-round fruit production, unlike in temperate countries where winter limits it to one harvest per year.
Benzone has inspired many others to follow in his footsteps. He is already running a successful business selling planting materials, and he anticipates that commercial-scale fruit production is still a few years away. By then, he hopes to be selling thousands of apples. As a skilled video creator and tech-savvy individual, he has amassed nearly 29,000 subscribers and over 1.8 million views on his video blog posts. This digital presence translates to additional income for him as well.
The success story of grapes in the Philippines offers hope for the potential growth of the apple industry. In the early 1970s, domestically grown grapes were virtually nonexistent, except for limited production in Cebu. However, one individual named Avelino Lomboy started propagating grapes in Bauang, La Union, using 20 cuttings from Cebu. In less than ten years, Lomboy’s grape vineyard expanded to nearly a hundred hectares, earning him the title of the Grape King and the father of the Philippine grape industry. Today, Lomboy Farms is a well-known player in the industry and a popular agritourism site that attracts numerous tourists who can pick and pay for grapes on-site.
In another part of the Philippines, Koys Magno Solteo and his wife Rodillyn are also promoting grape production in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. Their vineyard is an ATI-accredited LSA that educates others on growing grapes, further expanding the industry in Mindanao. During my visit with Koys, I found that he shares the same innovative mindset as the late Avelino Lomboy, who used to advocate for planting something new and unique. If more young individuals like Benzone, Avelino, and Koys embrace this approach, there is certainly hope for the future of Philippine agriculture.
In conclusion, visiting the apple orchard and witnessing the efforts of young farmers like Benzone, Avelino, and Koys has given me immense hope for the agricultural sector in the Philippines. Their innovative ideas, willingness to explore new possibilities, and commitment to sharing knowledge are key to transforming the industry and achieving greater prosperity. With their influence and the support of organizations like ATI, Philippine agriculture can thrive and contribute even more significantly to the nation’s economy.
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