GROUP
4
MEMBER: AGRES, GOWDIN
CREZO, NOMER
LOCATIO
N:
• 3 respondents -
SAN ANDRES
• 2 respondents -
VICTORIA
THE
INSPIRING
JOURNEY
• Ricardo Bagalay, 65, has over 43 years of farming experience in San Andres,
San Mateo, Isabela, where he manages a three-hectare rice farm inherited from
his parents.
• He chose farming for its profitability and to provide free rice for his family, also
growing vegetables like squash and string beans for consumption and trade.
• He uses insecticides and proper water management to maintain soil fertility
and control pests, practicing intercropping with mung beans during the dry
season and utilizing a water pump for irrigation. Initially selling through
middlemen, he now directly sells his rice to a mill for fair prices.
• Ricardo faces challenges during harvest, particularly from storms, and mitigates
losses by tying fallen rice plants. H
• e participates in local seminars to enhance his farming skills. He advises new
farmers to closely monitor crops and manage pests, emphasizing that patience
and hard work are key to success.
• Looking ahead, he and his wife plan to invest in a solar water pump to reduce
irrigation costs.
• Orlando Lorenzo Lintao, 65, shifted from rice farming to fish farming in 2018
due to consistent flooding in his rice fields, converting the land into
fishponds.
• He specializes in raising tilapia, which is a fast-selling fish, allowing for quick
returns. To maintain water quality, he regularly replaces pond water and
uses a water pump during dry spells to prevent diseases.
• Orlando has faced challenges such as fish kills from sudden weather
changes and bird predator, which he addresses by using nets for
protection.
• He practices monocropping with tilapia and manages feeding by
understanding different fish feeds.
• He sells his fish directly to buyers and actively seeks sales as harvest time
approaches, building a reliable customer base through his reputation for
• Heavy rainfall poses a significant challenge, leading to potential fish
escapes; however, he manages water levels with a pump and applies
medication every 15 days to reduce mortality. He has not received
any government support since starting his business.
• Orlando advises new fish farmers to choose suitable pond locations
and maintain them diligently. He plans to expand his operations by
adding more fishponds and deep wells with the help of his siblings
• Rogelio Valdez Diarpo, a 60-year-old crop farmer from Purok 1-A
Victoria, San Mateo, Isabela, has over 34 years of experience
managing more than three hectares of inherited land. Motivated
by his desire to provide for his children's future, he primarily
grows rice (palay) and mung beans, the latter during the dry
season due to limited irrigation.
• To maintain soil fertility and control pests, Rogelio uses herbicides
and pesticides, and he manually removes snails when necessary.
He practices intercropping, planting rice twice a year and mung
beans in the dry season, and he redirects excess rainwater to
irrigation areas during heavy rainfall.
• Rogelio sells his produce at a nearby market, keeping only what his family needs,
and he prioritizes building good relationships with customers. He does not engage
in value-added activities like packaging or processing.
• A significant challenge he faces is damage from snails, which he manages by hiring
help to collect them and replanting when needed. He has not received any support
from government or NGOs.
• He advises aspiring farmers to regularly monitor their crops and practice patience
for better yields. Looking to the future, Rogelio plans to purchase a tractor and
water pump to enhance his farming operations.
• V i v i a n N a v a r r o Ta n i z a , o w n e r o f V & V
T i l a p i a Fi n g e r l i n g s P r o d u c t i o n i n S a n
Mateo, Isabela, is a recognized
entrepreneur who received the Gawad
Saka award in 2017 for her
contributions to aquaculture. She
started her business in 1995 with
edible frogs but shifted to tilapia
production due to its rapid growth and
m a n a g e a b i l i t y.
• ToF RpArD
oEdL
u cAeN Dh iSgP
h I- E
qSu a l i t y fi n g e r l i n g s ,
Vivian replaces breeders every two
years and uses deep well water,
regularly testing it for optimal
conditions. She addresses challenges
l i ke bird-related fi s h kills with
deterrents and nets.
• Vivian effectively markets her products through
social media and supports aspiring fish farmers with
free seminars to promote local entrepreneurship.
She plans to install a solar pump and expand her
fishponds to boost production capacity. Her journey
is a testament to resilience, innovation, and
commitment to her community, inspiring many
people
THANK YOU