I. CARABAO MULTIPLIER FARM
Delegates from the Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA) and Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Forum steering committee went on a learning visit to Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s (LMPC) various enterprises and initiatives on 19 December 2019 as part of the series of activities by AFA dovetailed to the UNDFF strategizing session with its members.
Their first stop is the LMPC’s carabao multiplier farm, where the delegates were shown how carabao feed is made. The coop makes their own feed from stalks of corn harvested from the village and mixed with molasses. These are processed manually and with the help of machines. After the demo on feed-making, the delegates experienced feeding the carabaos.
In the area is also the coop’s organic fertilizer composting area. The coop makes organic fertilizer for their farms.
II. DAIRY, COCO SUGAR, CARA DELIGHTS AND TABLEA PROCESSING
The next stop was the coop’s dairy and coco sugar processing area. LMPC explained the process of making coco sugar, which is referred to as the healthy sugar. Because coco sugar has a low glycemic index, it is safe for people with diabetes. LMPC uses solar dryers and machines to dry their coco sugar.
Additionally, the coop organizes training on coco sugar production for groups of women wanting to learn the process. These women are taught with the entire process and have their practicum in the processing center as well. The coop believes that through initiatives such as this, they can help the vulnerable sector and at the same time, attract more members. At the moment, LMPC is not engaged in large scale coco sugar production.
Just beside the coco sugar processing area is the coop’s souvenir shop where their products including ice cream, cookies, coco sugar, cocoa, tablea, bath soaps, detergent soaps, etc. are sold. AFA delegates snacked on ice cream and cookies before moving to the next stop of the field visit.
III. COCO COIR PRODUCTION
The participants also dropped by the coco coir production area of LMPC, which is run mostly by young women. They were allowed to try twirling coco coir, while the coop staff explained the process of making the products and how much the workers get paid. Coco coir is made into nets used in strengthening roads to avoid erosion. Around the entire resort, coco coir has various uses including hanging plants, curtains, decorations, etc. LMPC tries to maximize all the products they can generate from coconuts.
IV. ORGANIC FARM AND CATTLE PRODUCTION
From the coco coir production area, the participants moved to the organic farm and cattle production area to see the coop’s “white” carabaos. LMPC breeds albino carabaos that are mainly for milking and for promoting their farm tourism.
V. AGRICULTURAL TRAINING CENTER
Assisted by the staff of the organic farm, AFA delegates were taught how to make Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), an organic fertilizer used in Lamac MPC’s farms. Various overripe fruits and other plants are sliced thinly, mixed with molasses, and then fermented for weeks to make organic fertilizer.
VI. CACAO DEMO FARM
The next stop was the cacao demo farm, where the farm’s workers showed a demonstration on grafting cacao seedlings. Grafting is a technique where tissues of plants are joined so as to continue their growth together. In LMPC cacao farm, cacao seedlings are grafted with mature cacao plants. This process is done for the cacao trees to bear fruits in a shorter period of time. Cacao trees usually take years to bear fruits, but for drafted trees, it takes only several months.
VII. GARMENTS CENTER, DESIGN, AND PRINTS
The delegates also visited the coop’s garments center. This initiative is aimed at women and youth in the community. The coop partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry, which provided them with high-speed sewing machines, and the workers were trained in dressmaking through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Instead of going to the city to find a job, women and youth residents of the village can opt to just stay because there are jobs available for them in the coop’s garments center. The coop has also partnered with various institutions including schools in making their PE (physical education) uniforms. Moreover, they also sell ready to wear shirts, rugs, and other clothing items.
VIII. CONSUMER STORE AND SAVINGS AND CREDIT SERVICES
The delegates preceded LMPC’s building which houses their consumer store and savings and credit center. LMPC offers savings facilities that are simple, affordable, and accessible to its members. Their services are also extended to individuals, children/youth, and organizations and institutions outside the coop’s membership. The coop also offers credit and loan services to assist its members in times of need. It is notable that all of the staff in their financial service office are women.
Before leaving for the next site, the delegates were greeted by the women from the community and the village’s parish priest who offered them a prayer for their safety.
IX. BRGY. SUDLON, CEBU CITY
The AFA delegates then traveled for a couple of hours to meet with farmers in Sudlon, Cebu City, who are partners of LMPC. These farmers produce vegetables, fruits, as well as flowers.
Lettuce and spring onions are intercropped at Ligaya Miras’ farm in Sudlon. Ligaya Miras owns a small plot of land she inherited from her parents. Before, she couldn’t make any profits out of this land, until Lamac MPC intervened. With the help of LMPC, Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) and other development partners, the farmers in the area were given training on agripreneurship. Smallholder farmers were gathered and grouped into clusters to grow specific produce. Ligaya was included in the cluster that produces lettuce. After harvesting, all produce of the same kind is gathered and sold to the market as a whole. This way, the goods will fetch a higher price. At the moment, they supply vegetables to JFC.
Ligaya recounted that in the past, her family was so poor that if a drunk man would stumble into their house, it would fall to the ground. “Mahipan lang ng hangin, matutumba na,” she said in the Cebuano language. But once her farm became productive, she was able to build a concrete house for her family.
The farmers of Sudlon served this sumptuous spread of raw and cooked vegetables and fruits, some of which are their produce themselves.
Some of the farmers shared their stories, which are truly inspiring. Before leaving, the AFA members gifted the farmers with their products.
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