Young Farmers Open Letter Entry #11: Roland L. Zolas, Philippines

I’m Roland Lesiñana Zolas, a young farmer and member of the Golden Parauma Agriculture Cooperative in the Philippines. Our family is tied up to farming—from my parents’ generation until mine. I am the 14th child out of 17 children, and I grew up stepping on the green field, digging my dreams, hope, and planting for the future. My family does not hold a land certificate so there is always a threat that the land we are farming will be taken back from us by the landowner.

Joining the Cooperative gave me a deeper meaning of what really agriculture is. For farmers to have a better future, Golden Parauma introduced Organic Agriculture. I now hold a national certificate in organic agriculture, and I am aiming to take up an Agriculture course. As a youth in this generation, I want to promote and prove that engaging in this field can bring hope to everyone. Organic agriculture is the fundamental heart of farming. It is the way to treat the polluted environment that brings many diseases to people, like the current pandemic.

To our honorable legislators, please ensure the effective and efficient implementation of RA 11511 or the amended Organic Agriculture Act. As a young leader, I do believe that organic agriculture is synonymous with good governance and implementation of the law will rejuvenate the sector of agriculture.

Roland L. Zolas
Philippines