LAKBAYAN: Costales Organic Farm


Farming. It's more fun in the Philippines!

When was the last time you have been on a trip to nature far from the city. To smell the fresh air, the clean water, and the rich soil of the earth. And though this may be a dream to many, it is actually just a province away. In Majayjay Laguna, just beside the mythical Banahaw mountain, is where you can find a unconventional yet sustainable farm, Costales Nature Farm.

Though maybe just a province away, you would really feel that the urban landscape fades away to the rural yet sustainable living. Costales Nature Farm dedicates itself to the te practice of Organic Farming. Yes, the farming that uses natural fertilizers, no chemicals which nature intended it to be. We got the chance to go and experience organic farming which is a promising way of sustainable agriculture minus the harmful insecticides and yeilds bountiful and high quality produce.

And tasting the fruits, vegetable and livestock from the farm definitely far more different and far more delicious than the regular meat and vegetables.


To thinks that in the early days, we did not really rely on pesticides and chemicals to produce them, organic farming is like going back to the basics. Although the only downside to this type of farming is the higher cost due to labor and also producing their own fertilizers and animal feeds.

We got to know the man behind the Costales nature Farm, He is Mr. Ronald C. Costales, Vice-President of Costales Nature Farms is also the 2012 Most Outstanding Organic Farmer of Region 4A. Mr. Costales bagged the same award last year (2011). The Costales Family also won the FARM FAMILY category for the regional level 2012. He was also known to leave his high ranking corporate position to start the organic farm. He is now known as a Farmer-Scientist (Magsaksakang Siyentipiko). 

They also supply organic produce to several restaurants and supermarket in the metro. As a fustrated urban farmer, I do want this kind of agriculture to flourish especially with the growing population and industries. Plus the fact that it is more nutritous tastes better and yeilds high quality produce.
 

We also took a tour around the farm to see how organic farming is done. First we saw the composting pit with earthworms helping in breaking down the compost into nutrient rich soil. Then we saw their livestock like the free range chicken, organic pigs (and wald boars), rabbits, and ducks. I also marveled at their nursery containing a lot of plants and learned about stivia (with sweet leaves) and spearmint plants (which felt like you also had a mouthwash). And with all of these, it was like a farmer's paradise! Actually I noticed that there are  almost no flies and mosquitoes around due to the insect repellant plants that also protect the plants. 




Indeed, if there will be more organic farms in the Philippines, we might solve most of the farm produce demands and also provide sustainable farming to many places. If you are interested with organic farming you may want to inquire about their seminars which has been attended by many local and international farmers and agriculturists. Also visit their facebook page, and also their website at http://www.costalesnaturefarms.com/. More pictures found at Manual To Lyf facebook page.

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