“The quality of our produce is linked to every aspect of our farm,” said 56 years old Pastor Jerry Dionson, a farmer – minister from Bago City, Negros Occidental. Pastor Dionson started his farming activities two decades ago and was convinced to go into organic farming by his mentors from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and technicians from the Department of Agriculture(DA). Establishing the Grace Organic Farm at Barangay Tabunan, Bago City in 2001, he started his advocacy on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and totally coverted to organic- non use of pesticides and insecticides that he learned from his mentors wherein he employs integration of different commodities and crops.
He was raising native chicken and producing varying vegetables such as lettuce, eggplant, okra, patola, ampalaya, mungbean, and other PAKBET vegetables. Some of his areas were also planted with rice and corn integrated with tilapia production technology.
His vermicomposting facility and the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) incorporation complemented his requirement for the organic technology practices in the farm. One of the IPM practitioners, Mr. Arsenio de la Torre, who imparted the technology, said that chemical-based control measures could improve natural soil conditions. They were able to produce six tons of vermicompost every month, and these are used mainly in the establishment of the vegetable nursery and training center for organic practitioners.
Dionson on the otherhand received the first ever organic certification for rice producers in Negros Occidental under Nicert in 2011-2015 and followed by Organic Center Certification of the Philippines (OCCP) until 2019.
His membership to the Tabunan Small Farmers Irrigators Association paved the way to extend help to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic. They were able to donate 20 bags of rice for food packs distribution to the affected residents. Their 111 members tilled an average area of 473 hectares, mainly planted to rice. They have also availed of the training on Integrated Diversified Organic Systems (IDOFS). The IDOFS is a soil-based organic practice utilizing the African nightcrawler.
Maximizing his entrepreneurial skills, Pastor Dionson directly marketed his farm produce through direct selling and sometimes in Burgos Public Market in Bacolod City. With the consolidation of their farm products, Grace Organic Farm was able to earn an average net income of P42,000.00 per hectare planted of vegetables, rice, sorghum, and other crops. Pastor Jerry Dionson symbolizes the viability and sustainability of organic farming, specifically good agricultural practices. This is accompanied by faith and religious services, which proved that being an entrepreneur, farmer-leader, organic resource person, and spiritual leader could develop a wholistic community service. His four children also exemplify success in their chosen field of education and career in crop science, civil engineering, and architecture.
“My children are trained on the farm. They were brought up and finished their education with our land produce. Whatever career path they choose, still the experience, knowledge, and wisdom I handed over to them will be their treasure”, said Dionson.
“ Ang duta indi naton pagkabigon nga panubli-on kundi utang naton sa ulihi nga henerasyon kun indi naton pagtipigan karon,” he affirmed. #JCapaciete(DA-RAFIS6)
