Philippines -- How Our Low-Level Farmers Can Have High-Level Incomes Without Billions Of Pesos Of Government Support!

Former PH Economic Chief Cielito F Habito writes about disappointing national news on jobs (“Our Educated Jobless,” opinion.inquirer.net). rather inspired, I want to write about uplifting news on farmers even without government support in terms of financing! (image from Bigstock, biostock)

Also, in his 11 Feb 2025 No Free Lunch above, Mr Habito says:

“Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have increased by 319,000 since 2020, reflected in the increase in employers in own family farm or business. This is less than ideal because entrepreneurship could arguably be superior to wage employment, as it is about creating jobs, rather than merely finding a job.”

I am now re/thinking of farming as entrepreneurship, with a different perspective of being “recreating a job.” Read on!

“Entrepreneurship is the ability and readiness to develop, organize and run a business enterprise, along with any of its uncertainties in order to make a profit” (undated, Karthik, BYJU’S). With that definition, I am now singularly looking at farming as entrepreneurship: running an enterprise, meeting uncertainties, going after profit – that describes ideal farming perfectly!

Now, I’m thinking of any farmer cultivating his field, planting his crop, caring for the plants – all for family income beyond bare necessities. I say:

In the Philippines, if the farmer can save thousands of pesos growing his crop, already he is a winner, an entrepreneur extraordinary!

But how? My 2-word answer is: “Regenerative Agriculture.” RA begins and ends without those expensive chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides – as of my last count, totalling PH10,000 plus!

Here is my list of RA:

(1) Cover Cropping, (2) Crop Rotation, (3) Farm Crops + Tree Crops (Agroforestry), (4) Green Manuring, (5) Intercropping, (6) Multiple Cropping, (7) No-Till Farming, (8) Organic Fertilization, (9) Ratooning, (10) Rotational Grazing, (11) “Three Sisters” Planting, (12) Trap Cropping, and (13) Trash Mulching.

How do you like that? You begin your farming saving thousands of pesos while you are still beginning to cultivate your field. Any of the 13 RA practices above will assure you that! 13? My favorite Internet source says 13 is a “prime and lucky number” (Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org).

I love the image from Bigstock above; it is as if it is trying to tell me: “Small beginnings are great beginnings!” (Thank you, Bigstock!)

Yes, any of the 13 in the RA list above is a small beginning, but each is perfect for a farmer who starts little but dreams big. Man is all dust, which underscores his potential for greatness.

From Bible Hub (biblehub.com):

Creation and Humanity: The Bible begins with the creation narrative, where God forms man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). This humble beginning of humanity underscores the potential for greatness when infused with the breath of God.

So, why not man begin to create his own “potential for greatness” by infusing his farming with the breath of just a little innovation?

Calling all farmers! Especially in my country the Philippines – minus chemical fertilizers & pesticides, Regenerative Agriculture is your huge potential for profit!@517