A salesman turned farmer, 59-year-old Ireneo S. Olaes, president of Federation of Tigaon High Value Crops Farmers Association Agriculture Inc. is proof that reinventing oneself in any season of life could lead to better paths.
Back in the ‘90s, Olaes had a thriving career in a private company in Metro Manila. But to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband to her Bicolana wife, Evelyn, a public school teacher, and as a father to his growing family, at 37, he decided to resign from his job and build a new life in Tigaon, Camarines Sur.
“Pabalik-balik ako ng Manila, sabi ni Misis, tumigil ka na sa pagta-trabaho, dito ka na lang sa Bicol. Sabi ko ano ang magiging hanap-buhay ko dyan? Ang ginawa ko po primero, bumili po ako ng jeep, pampasada, mahina po ang kita, mahirap din pala. Hanggang sa nagtayo ako ng bakery, puyat, mahirap. Sabi ko, pag-aaralan ko po ang farming,” he related.
A Batangueño, he started learning the ropes of farming from his friends and relatives who worked in the agriculture sector. To begin his farming venture, he planted sweet corn and tomatoes in a 7,000-square meter land owned by his wife.
“Palibhasa maganda ang kita, nagtuloy-tuloy po ako hanggang sa lahat ng pananim sa bahay-kubo itinanim ko na po,” he said.
He then established the Caraycayon Vegetable Growers Association and participated in seminars and trainings conducted by the Local Government Unit of Tigaon Municipal Agriculture Office and the DA High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) to master his new craft. Later on, he was elected as the chairman of the Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC) where he served for eight years from 2012 to 2020.
In March 2022, Olaes became the first president of the Federation of Tigaon High Value Crops Farmers Association Agriculture Inc., a vegetable cluster consists of 10 primary organizations. The cluster is cultivating a total area of 212.92 hectares.
This opened more opportunities for Olaes to develop not only his own farm but those of his cluster farmer-members.’ According to Olaes, with their engagement in the DA HVCDP and the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2), they received various interventions including vegetable seeds, plastic mulch, UV plastic, grass cutter, multi-cultivator, and fuel subsidy.
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat at talagang napakalaking pakinabang po namin sa mga suporta po sa amin ng DA Regional Field Office 5,” he said.
From his income and savings in his 7,000-square meter farm, Olaes and his wife were able to buy a 1.5-hectare farm and rent another two-hectare farm planted with sweet corn, chili peppers and assorted vegetables like bitter gourd, pole sitao, eggplant, cucumber and okra. Likewise, they were able to employ three regular and two on-call laborers.
Between April and July 2025, he harvested 2,315 kilograms of chili peppers, earning P107,200. Additionally, he earned P173,331.50 from planting radish, cucumber, pole sitao, squash, okra, eggplant, and bitter gourd between January and July 2025. He is also expecting big yields from his 7,000-square meter sweet corn farm this year.
His buyers from Tigaon, Pili and Naga pick up his produce from his farm making it easier for him to market his products.
“Pagka talaga kayo’y masipag lang talaga at may dalang panalangin, talagang tinutulungan kayo, gumaganda ang kita ninyo,” he said.
His farm profits enabled Olaes to finance the improvement of his family’s dream house, kitchen, and garage. His eldest daughter, Ivy Jane, is now a licensed private school teacher while his youngest daughter Jillian is a second year college student taking up Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology.
His triumphs anchored on faith, love, and perseverance, encouraged and inspired more farmers in his area to join the vegetable cluster. From having 15 members in his association, he is now leading 238 active members of the Federation of Tigaon High Value Crops Farmers Association Agriculture Inc. ensuring that each of them will reap a bountiful harvest and increased income.
Olaes has this advice to his fellow farmers to guarantee success in farming, “Wag kayong magsawa sa pagtatanim. Sadyang sa pagtatanim mayroong panahon na nalulugi, may panahon namang kumikita. Wag kayong matakot na lagi kayong malulugi, mas lamang po ang kita sa pagtatanim.” (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS 5)
Photo Credits:
Hermito Antonio T. Privaldos and Zandra G. Abogado, DA RAFIS 5 Ireneo S. Olaes
