An idyllic community located in the Mayon cluster area is emerging as the Vegetable Bowl of Ligao City, a third class city in the province of Albay. The Amtic Integrated Farmers Association (AIFA) Inc., vegetable cluster registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is now reaping the benefits of its partnership with the Department of Agriculture Bicol High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2).

“After pandemic po, doon po kami nabigyan ng mga inputs and interventions from DA Region 5 tulad ng mga organic fertilizers, seedling trays, plastic mulch, at UV plastic. Meron din po kaming natanggap na multi-cultivator, at hand tractor. Every year din po nakakatanggap kami ng seeds from DA Region 5,”  Ananelle B. Orpiana, Chairman of AIFA Inc. said.

She added that the DA HVCDP interventions contributed to an increase in the production and income of their cluster. As of December 2024, AIFA Inc. recorded a total gross income amounting to P9.47 million.

Composed of two high value crops farmers associations, namely Amtic Integrated Farmers Association Inc. and Masaraga Organic Farmer Association (MOFA) the cluster was established in January 2021 with 117 members cultivating a total area of 189.5 hectares. Based on AIFA Inc.’s HVCDP Cluster Development Plan 2024 to 2029, the cluster aims to be recognized as influential producers, supplier, and competent market leaders of high value crops. About 106.5 hectares of AIFA Inc. members’ land area are devoted to vegetable production while the rest are planted with corn, rice, abaca, and coconut.

“Malaking tulong po ito sa amin lalo na po pag malapit na kami magtaniman. Lalo na po ‘yung libreng seeds, malaking tulong po sa amin na hindi na kami bibili o kung bibili man kami, konti na lang po. Maganda din po na may natatanggap din kaming fertilizers, malaking kabawasan po sa gastusin namin sa pagtatanim,” she said.

Since 2021, AIFA has been a recipient of various interventions from DA Bicol HVCDP. These include one unit hand tractor with trailer, one pair spiral plow, one pair cage wheel, one pair of pneumatic tire, one piece mud rake, one unit of greenhouse tunnel type with anteroom, two units of Pump Irrigation System for Open Source (PISOS), one unit multi- cultivator, plastic crates, UV plastic, plastic mulch, tunneling film, twine, organic Fertilizer, soil conditioner, plastic drum, three rolls hose, seeds, and seedlings. They also received one unit brush cutter, one unit power sprayer, one unit mist blower, and one set of Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) solar panel. DA Bicol HVCDP also provided them with a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Starter Kit consisting of one set two two-burner gas stove with regulator, hose and tank, and various kitchen utensils. In 2024, they received eight units of  grass cutter, 25 kilograms of assorted seeds, 50 pieces plastic crates, 10 rolls of plastic mulch, 20 packs of soil conditioner, and 40 pieces foliar fertilizer.

MOFA President Noel B. Buenavente also shared the positive impact of the cluster’s engagement with the DA HVCDP and F2C2 saying “Marami po dito ang nagkaroon na ng kani-kanila pong magagandang bahay dahil po sa pagtatanim ng mga libreng seeds galing sa DA at mga kagamitan na ibinigay ng DA tulad po ng rain shelter, grass cutter, at sprayer. ‘Yun po ay malaking tulong sa amin dahil nababawasan po ang aming labor cost.” He added that most farmers have already acquired more land to expand the area that they can cultivate. Some have even managed to send their children to reputable schools and buy their own vehicles.   

AIFA Inc. supplies fruits, rootcrops, and vegetables including hot pepper, beans, okra, petchay, squash, radish, gabi, upo, pole sitao, eggplant, ampalaya, cucumber, sweet potato, sweet corn, and tomato to the Ligao Public Market as well as to the public markets of neighboring cities like Tabaco, Legazpi, and Iriga and municipalities like Daraga, Camalig, and Oas. Their produce also reaches Nabua and Naga City in Camarines Sur, Sorsogon City, Samar, Cavite, Divisioria, and Balintawak in Metro Manila.  In addition, they also participate in the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at the Albay Provincial Agricultural Office (APAO) in Camalig, Albay.

These emerging benefits encouraged more farmers to join the cluster. According to Orpiana, from 117 in 2021, AIFA Inc.’s membership increased to 127 in 2025. Likewise, the land area they cultivate expanded from 189.5 hectares to 204.2 hectares.

“Malaki po ‘yung naging impact sa barangay namin kasi na-inspire po sila na marami po palang natatanggap kaya sumali na rin po sila sa association,” she said.

In addition to their increased income and production, Orpiana and Buenavente intend to grow their cluster by requesting support in transporting their goods. They also plan to engage in value-adding activities. Nevertheless, they thank the DA HVCDP for enabling them to ensure the food security in their community.

Orpiana expressed gratitude, saying, “Malaking pasasalamat po namin kami po ay natutulungan ng government lalo na po sa aming pagtatanim.” In agreement, Buenavente said, “Na-aapreciate po namin ang tulong po ninyo at sisikapin po namin na maging matagumpay po ang aming pagsasaka.” (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS 5 with reports from Mark Asor, DA HVCDP 5 and Jean Marlo Medes, DA F2C2 5)

Photo Credits: Hermito Antonio T. Privaldos, DA RAFIS 5