Cultivating Success: The Inspirational Journeys of Two "Bida Magsasaka" Who Flourished Through Vegetable Farming
As we celebrate Vegetable Farmers' Month this August 2023, East-West Seed, a global tropical vegetable seed company, is excited to share the inspiring stories of two exceptional farmers: Johnny Gatuz and Eden Arquero. These "Bida Magsasaka" demonstrate the incredible impact of hard work, dedication, and passion in achieving success as vegetable farmers.
As the saying goes, "Farming is a profession of hope," and these farmers embody that spirit in every way.
Johnny Gatuz: From OFW to Thriving Farmer-Influencer
Johnny Gatuz, a proud farmer's son from Bulacan, is a former Overseas Filipino Worker
(OFW) who is now a thriving vegetable farmer and Youtube influencer.
After five years of working abroad, Johnny felt the tug of his farming roots and decided to
return home to the Philippines, driven by a desire to reconnect with his agricultural roots and
seek better opportunities. He took a leap of faith by renting a one-hectare farm.
"I borrowed P50,000 to rent a land and started planting squash, okra, and yard-long beans,"
Johnny shared.
With limited knowledge of vegetable farming, his initial attempts yielded inconsistent results,
Johnny said: "Sometimes I made a small profit, other times just broke even."
Unfazed, he dedicated himself to learning, studying the ins and outs of vegetable growing. "I
became studious; I studied everything I could about growing vegetables," he recounted.
He emphasized the importance of practical application, saying, "I apply what I learn
immediately to my crops. I also experiment with my own crops, where I see which
practices work well for my farm."
Johnny shared that learning from experienced farmers, reading books, attending seminars,
and using East-West Seed's vegetable seeds were key factors that contributed to his
journey's success.
Today, Johnny reaps the rewards of years of hard work. He manages an impressive
3.5-hectare vegetable farm, and was able to invest in farm machineries, residential
properties, and vehicles. His farming income even supported his daughter's education,
enabling her to graduate with a degree in Education.
"Dedication, determination, and a genuine passion for farming -these are the keys to
success," Johnny emphasized. He also highlighted the significance of a positive attitude in overcoming challenges in farming, saying, "Even when there's a storm or when things aren't successful, you should always think of finding a solution. Just keep planting," added Johnny.
Not content with personal success, Johnny pays it forward to his community by sharing his agricultural knowledge and uplifting fellow farmers. His passion transcended the fields as he ventured into social media, launching "Tata Johnny TV" on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic. His channel, driven by his dedication to sharing valuable agricultural insights, quickly gained traction. His second video, a tutorial on papaya farming, achieved viral status, accumulating over a million views.
Today, "Tata Johnny TV" boasts an
impressive f2/000 subscribers, earning Johnny the prestigious Youtube Silver Play Button
in September 2022
.
farming. "I always tell them to learn about growing vegetables. But don't just learn -try it out
Many of Johnny's viewers are OFWs who want to come back to the Philippines and start as soon as they can. That's when you'll learn the most. Start small, but make sure you start. And before you start planting a lot, make sure you have a market for your produce," Johnny advised.
Farming is a Dream: The Story of Eden
Eden Arquero's journey from a backyard hobbyist to a dynamic 5-hectare farmer in Nueva
Vizcaya showcases the power of starting small and dreaming big.
"It started when my husband retired from duty. We were living uphill and had a small
backyard vegetable farm. But later we realized that there is a potential income from it so we
decided to expand", shared Eden when asked how they started.
Eden and her husband decided to convert the land that was once a rice field into a vegetable farm. And they started working for their dreams in that half-hectare of land they own. "Since the beginning, we really wanted to be successful. We sought help from people who are
knowledgeable in this field."
Eden's farm became known to their town when they started planting East-West Seed
Orange Delight watermelon because they were the first in their town to produce that type of watermelon. Their farm became even more popular when they started their "pick and pay" activities. "It's a trend. People want to experience picking so we let them. And we sell
whatever they pick at a relatively lower price," said Eden.
From 2015 up to the present, the success of their vegetable farm is outstanding. From a
small land, they are now tiling up to around 5 hectares and plan to convert their farm into an agrotourism site. They were also able to invest in more land, and machineries, and build up their savings.
Family members and other farmers in their town draw inspiration from their journey.
"Every time the Department of Agriculture conducts a demo on our farm, we invite others to come. We want them to learn what we are learning. We want them to be successful like us Asked what's their secret, she excitedly said "STD - Sipag, Tiyaga at Diskarte". One must work hard and be wise to be able to succeed.
Despite being recognized as one of the most outstanding lowland farmers in Nueva Vizcaya many times, Eden wants to continuously inspire farmers not to stop dreaming and work that dream.
I will never stop dreaming. What we have achieved is just the start of a much bigger plan".proudly exclaimed Eden. They are geared to establish the first agri-tourism in their town. It might seem impossible, but for Eden, it is always important to take that first step.
The stories of Johnny Gatuz and Eden Arquero epitomize the potential of vegetable farming to transform lives. For over 40 years, East-West Seed has been committed to improving the lives of farmers through high-quality vegetable seeds and by sharing knowledge on better farming practices.
As part of the Vegetable Farmers' Month celebration, East-West Seed invites everyone to join in honoring and expressing gratitude to our vegetable farmers by sharing their inspiring#BidaMagsasaka stories. To leam more about this celebration, visit East-West Seed's
Facebook page at .
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