In the heart of Barangay Salvacion, Tigaon, Camarines Sur, a quiet revolution is taking place, led by a determined farmer named Baldomero Paz. Once a traditional rice farmer struggling with rising input costs and meager returns, Baldomero faced the harsh reality that hard work in the fields alone was not enough to provide for his family.

“I often had to borrow money for my children’s education,” he recalled.

However, Baldomero’s story began to change six years ago. Through the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of the Department of Agriculture, Baldomero received essential support, including assorted vegetable seeds, plastic mulch, a grass cutter, and a rotavator. With these tools, he decided to venture into high-value crops farming—a choice that would ignite a new chapter in his life.

He decided to plant tomatoes, chili and pechay on his first try at planting high-value crops, however his first chili harvest was a revelation. Prices soared to ₱250 per kilogram, an occurrence that convinced him that chili would be his main crop. By using “native” as he calls an open-pollinated variety of chili found locally and organic concoctions he brews himself, Baldomero achieved robust yields while saving on expensive chemical fertilizers.

His sustainable approach, which includes enriching the soil with chicken manure and practicing proper crop rotation with sweet corn, pechay, and tomatoes, keeps his land healthy and productive.

However, farming is never without challenges. Baldomero faced numerous obstacles, from whiteflies curling the leaves to anthracnose fungus and unpredictable weather. He learned to use silver plastic mulch to repel pests and fungicides when necessary. Yet, nature was not his only adversary—infrastructure also posed significant challenges. During the rainy season, hauling his produce to the main road was nearly impossible due to unpaved pathways.

Embodying the spirit of bayanihan, he and fellow farmers took the initiative to construct a small pavement—just wide enough for motorcycles—to facilitate the transport of their harvests. It may be a modest road, but it was built with great hopes.

Today, Baldomero doesn’t just farm; he also leads. As the President of the Salvacion High Value Crops Farmers Association, he generously shares his knowledge and experiences, encouraging others to shift toward high-value crops. What has he achieved? The results extend beyond economic gains. From chili farming, Baldomero has transformed his simple bamboo warehouse into a sturdy concrete structure. More importantly, he is now supporting his granddaughter’s dream of becoming a civil engineer by funding her college education at a private school in Naga City.

“Una manalangin kayo sa panginoon. Pangalawa sipag, dapat kung ano ang dapat alamin alam ninyo.” his message to his fellow farmers. Baldomero Paz is proof that with the right support, innovation, and a resilient heart, Filipino farmers can thrive—and even inspire an entire community to grow alongside them.