By: Bettina Andrea B. Bordon
SAN JOSE, Camarines Sur — For nearly four decades, farming has not only sustained the life of 57-year-old Felizardo Ramos Jr. of Zone 4, Salogon, San Jose, Camarines Sur, it has transformed his family’s future.
What started as a simple means of survival has grown into a flourishing vegetable enterprise that now serves as an inspiration to fellow farmers across the province.
Ramos, President of the Saint Joseph Vegetable Growers Association, leads a cluster organization composed of ten member associations engaged in vegetable production. Together, they cultivate various lowland vegetables such as bitter gourd (ampalaya), eggplant, cucumber, chili, okra, string beans, and tomatoes.
“I started farming in 1986 because my wife and I had no jobs. We were given a small piece of land, and that became our source of livelihood,” Ramos recalled.
Initially, the couple planted only rice. However, as their five children grew older and household expenses increased, they realized that rice farming alone could no longer sustain the family’s needs. They ventured into vegetable farming, with ampalaya becoming their first high-value crop.
That decision changed everything.
According to Ramos, vegetable farming generates more than twice the income compared to rice production. Unlike rice, vegetables also require less water, allowing them to continue producing even during dry months and El Niño conditions.
Today, Ramos cultivates approximately 4.5 hectares of farmland, with two hectares dedicated to vegetables while the remaining area follows a rice-vegetable crop rotation. During the off-season, he prepares the land for the next planting cycle to ensure year-round production.
Beyond vegetable production, Ramos also established a family-managed seedling nursery that has become another reliable source of income.
The 5-by-18-meter nursery produces quality seedlings of eggplant, tomatoes, chili, cucumber, bitter gourd, and papaya. What began as a solution to help fellow association members avoid traveling long distances to purchase seedlings has now evolved into a thriving enterprise.
“We realized that instead of buying seedlings from faraway places, we could produce them ourselves using the seeds provided by the Department of Agriculture so more members could benefit,” he shared.
The nursery sells seedling trays for as much as ₱300 each, while individual seedlings retail at only ₱5. Unsold seedlings are simply transplanted into their production areas, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. During peak planting seasons, the nursery can generate around ₱40,000 per production cycle with expenses of only about ₱15,000.
More importantly, part of the nursery’s income is reinvested into the association to support its activities and members.
Ramos attributes much of their success to the continued support of the Department of Agriculture through the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).
Over the years, their association received numerous interventions, including assorted vegetable seeds, the Pump Irrigation System for Open Source (PISOS), plastic mulch, UV plastic, composting facilities, and most recently, a four-wheel-drive tractor that significantly reduced land preparation costs.
The group also benefited from a ₱400,000 worth of vegetable seedlings distributed under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., allowing members to save on production expenses while expanding their planting activities.
“These interventions made farming easier and more profitable. We no longer spend as much on seeds, fertilizers, and land preparation. Because of these savings, we are able to reserve our harvest and earnings for the next cropping season,” Ramos said.
One of the biggest changes brought about by the government’s assistance is the association’s shift toward sustainable farming. With the composting facility provided through government support, the group now produces its own organic fertilizer, helping reduce dependence on expensive synthetic fertilizers while restoring soil health.
“I always remind my fellow farmers not to destroy the soil by relying too much on inorganic fertilizers. Healthy soil means sustainable farming,” Ramos emphasized.
The Local Government Unit of San Jose has likewise remained a valuable partner by providing vegetable seeds, power sprayers, and marketing assistance. Through the municipal trading post, farmers are given space to sell unsold seedlings and harvested vegetables on a consignment basis, helping minimize losses while ensuring that more products reach consumers.
For Ramos, every intervention translated into real opportunities, not only for himself but also for his family.
Through farming, he successfully sent all five of his children to college, built their family home, purchased a secondhand vehicle, and earned national recognition as a National Farmer Hero.
Instead of keeping his knowledge to himself, he now trains fellow farmers in seedling production so they, too, can establish their own livelihood while strengthening the association.
His story stands as proof that when hardworking farmers are empowered through appropriate technologies, government support, and strong community partnerships, agriculture becomes more than a livelihood, it becomes a pathway toward lasting progress, food security, and a better future for the next generation.