LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Denver Biang, a 25-year-old young farmer from Bineng in this town has a passion for agriculture that goes beyond growing crops. He is the owner of SayMayat Vegetable Farming, an agricultural enterprise that specializes in producing and selling lettuce seedlings to other farmers.
Denver’s story is a testament to determination, resilience, and the invaluable support of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR), particularly the Young Farmers’ Challenge competition and the High Value Crops Development Program.
Denver’s journey began with a simple yet ingenious idea. He recognized that many farmers found the process of sprouting their own seeds and nurturing seedlings to be time-consuming. Determined to make life easier for his fellow farmers, Denver decided to specialize in lettuce seedling production, offering ready-to-plant seedlings to those who wished to outsource this labor-intensive task.
The lush greenhouses of SayMayat Vegetable Farming are brimming with lettuce seedlings. Denver and his family dedicate themselves day in and day out to propagate seedlings. They work tirelessly, from pricking out sprouts and transferring them to seedling trays, to carefully controlling the temperature within the greenhouses. In a single day, they can complete up to 130 trays of seedlings.
Denver’s commitment doesn’t stop there; he also employs local students, paying them P350 per day with meals on the house as they assist in various farm activities.
“Isurok no kasano nga agtrabaho, adda kadagiti estudyante nga kayat da nga tumulong. Uray dagiti uubing nga adda ayan mi, isurwan mi isuda. Tapno doble met lang ti maisurok kanya da, may part-time nga pagswelduhan da,” Denver shares.
(There are students who want to help. I also employ even the children from our hometown so that they would have a side hustle. I also teach them how to farm.)
He also extends his hand to elderly relatives who, despite their age, are eager to contribute. Denver’s kindness and sense of community shine through as he welcomes their help and empowers those around him.
A passion for farming
Growing up in Kapangan, Benguet, Denver was exposed to farming from an early age, as this is his family’s main livelihood. Inspired by the success stories of local farmers, he eagerly embraced agriculture as his path to making a difference in his community.
Denver is not only a dedicated farmer but also a supportive older brother. He imparts his farming knowledge to his siblings while encouraging them to pursue their interests and dreams. When they come to assist on the farm, he ensures they receive a fair allowance.
While Denver initially aspired to become a civil engineer, his enduring passion for agriculture led him to pursue a degree in agriculture major in soil science from Benguet State University, graduating in 2019. During his studies, he honed his skills in lettuce seedling propagation and gained hands-on experience at a local garden for five months. After graduation, he furthered his knowledge through various jobs, ultimately dedicating his time to perfecting the art of seed production when the pandemic struck in early 2020.
As Denver focuses on his farm and agri-enterprise, he temporarily set aside his agriculturist licensure examination. Still, he remains determined to return to it one day, driven by his passion for seedling production and farming.
Young Farmers’ Challenge
In 2021, he discovered the Young Farmers’ Challenge (YFC) competition. Denver’s determination paid off as he became one of the seven winners in Benguet during the YFC provincial-level competition, earning him a well-deserved cash prize of P50,000. He used this prize to expand his seedling farm further.
With the additional resources, Denver returned to Bineng, where a larger land area and a continuous water supply provided an ideal environment for mass-producing seedlings. Eager to take on new challenges, he revealed his plans to enter the YFC upscale competition, expanding his agri-enterprise even more.
The High Value Crops Development Program played a crucial role in Denver’s success as well. He received two rolls of cellophane and 25 crates, and he couldn’t be more pleased with the quality of the interventions.
“Amin nga sumamsampet diyay farm supply dagidiay cellophane nga ordinary. Nu piman magapo diyay DA, mayat, napuskol,” he said.
(The farming materials from the store, especially cellophane, are quite ordinary. In contrast, the ones provided by DA are of superior quality.)
Ways forward
Denver did not share how much he earns from this enterprise. Still, his vision is simple but profound – he hopes that through his enterprise, more farmers will appreciate the convenience of outsourcing seedling production. According to Denver, the cost of growing and buying seedlings is nearly identical, making his services an attractive option for fellow farmers.
Denver’s lettuce seedlings, priced at just 80 centavos each, have quickly become a popular choice among local growers. His customers appreciate the high-quality products and the personal touch he adds to every transaction.
He began with seedling production due to its quick turnaround and income potential. However, Denver envisions expanding into farming and selling fully-grown produce, including cucumbers and fully-grown lettuce, as part of his plans. His goal is to create a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem that benefits both farmers and consumers.
Denver’s aspirations extend to owning land to further expand his enterprise. The larger vision is to develop his farm as a learning site for aspiring agriculturists. In 2022, the Agriculture Training Institute-Cordillera recognized SayMayat Vegetable Farming as one of the best-performing learning sites for agriculture in Benguet. Denver is committed to sharing his knowledge with those who seek it.
Because of this recognition, Denver attracted many rookie farmers looking for hands-on experience with seedling production and proper lettuce planting techniques. Denver enjoys helping them gain practical knowledge, and his doors are always open to those interested in the world of farming.
Denver’s thriving agri-enterprise now has ten regular patrons who appreciate his dedication and high-quality products.
“Basta nu mayat nga customer, talaga nga al-alagaak,” he proudly states. (I make sure to provide excellent service to all my loyal customers.)
Opportunities in farming
Understanding the changing landscape of agriculture, Denver emphasizes the importance of the younger generation’s involvement in farming. He encourages his peers to embrace agricultural enterprises as opportunities to make a difference in their communities.
“Adda ti opportunity iti farming. Diyay challenge gamin haan nga i-value ti consumers diay product nga magatgatang da. Maymayat gamin nu suruten da nga nagrigat diay ar-aramiden mi [nga farmer]. Isu nga first, habang bumassiten ti agmula, ada ti opportunity,” Denver passionately advocates.
(There are opportunities in farming. Yet, one challenge is that customers often fail to recognize the value of the products they purchase. It’s crucial for them to understand the hardships faced by farmers. This underscores the importance of seizing farming opportunities, especially as the number of farmers dwindles.)
“Second, kitaen da nga ti tao ket mangmangan. Isu nga kailangan da ti food. Third, dagidiay practices. Nu idi ket amin maaramid manually, tatta met ket adda ti technologies. So dakkel diay nga katulungan,” he added
(Additionally, the youth should acknowledge the essential role of agriculture in providing food for society. Lastly, modern farming practices have become more efficient and accessible due to technological advancements, making it an even more attractive prospect.)
For young individuals with limited capital, Denver advises them to begin by learning and seeking employment to save up for their own agricultural endeavors. His message is clear – agricultural opportunities are abundant, and the future belongs to those who seize them.
As he continues to nurture his farm and dreams, Denver Biang embodies the spirit of the modern farmer: Dedicated, innovative, and committed to making a difference. With the unwavering support of the DA-CAR, Denver’s SayMayat Vegetable Farming is a beacon of hope and inspiration for the future of agriculture in Benguet and beyond. By JBPeralta
