ATOK, Benguet – In the cool highlands of Atok, Benguet, where fog kisses the fields and the earth yields some of the country’s freshest vegetables, a quiet revolution is taking root. Leading the charge is Johnny Butangen farmer, leader, and president of the Atok Good Practitioners Association (AGPA) Cluster.
Composed of members from the barangays of Cattubo and Paoay, the AGPA Cluster has grown to include 1,053 members, with around 60–70% actively engaged in farming. Johnny recalls the early days when certified Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) farmers in Atok were a rare breed, only three of them, including himself. But with a shared vision and purpose, they connected with 15 other GAP practitioners and laid the foundation for an association focused on consolidation and marketing.
“Our usual crops include high-value produce like potato, cabbage, strawberry, bell pepper, and lettuce,” Johnny shares. Among these, romaine lettuce has become a cluster staple, thanks to established market demand.
Though the cluster delivers produce directly to the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) and local trading posts, the exact production volume is still a challenge to pinpoint. What’s certain, however, is that the combined farmland of the 2 barangays spans 75 hectares, yielding an average of 15 tons of crops per hectare.
The journey toward sustainable and safe agriculture has been boosted by partnerships with non-government organizations like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC). Through the Safe Vegetable from Rich Soil (SAVERS) Program, they’ve been introduced to environmentally-friendly practices such as the use of wood vinegar and charcoal. Meanwhile, the Japan Overseas Cooperative Association (JOCA) supports pest management and crop production efforts.
“Our farmers are learning a lot from the trainings and seminars by the Department of Agriculture,” Johnny adds. “These are a big help, especially as we face challenges like the rainy season, when most of us don’t have nurseries for seedlings.” To cope, farmers improvise by covering seedling areas, but survival rates remain at around 60%.
Competing with large, high-tech farms like Golden Acre is another uphill battle. “They have hydroponics, advanced machinery, complete facilities,” Johnny explains. “We’re still behind but with more support, we hope individual farmers can one day level the playing field.”
One of their most pressing concerns is logistics. “We don’t have trucks to transport our produce, especially for deliveries to Manila, where refrigerated trucks are essential.” For now, their workaround involves delivering produce to BAPTC, from where private trucks take over. Cold storage in Wangal, La Trinidad, helps extend the shelf life of their products.
Still, progress is visible. The cluster has already received 5 greenhouses, 5 tractors, and power sprayers. By 2025, they’re set to receive another greenhouse, two additional tractors, and storage facilities for potato seeds.
The impact of GAP has also grown significantly in Atok. “At first, fellow farmers were hesitant to attend the seminars and training. But when they saw the benefits of GAP practices, many followed.” From just 3 GAP-certified farm owners in 2022, the number has now jumped to 43.
Johnny encourages others to embrace GAP, not just for profit but for safety and sustainability. “These practices benefit everyone from the farm workers to the consumers. It’s about safe food, environmental protection, and improving lives.”
In the misty mountain fields of Benguet, Johnny Butangen and the AGPA Cluster are planting more than just crops they’re cultivating hope, resilience, and a future where farmers rise together. By Alyssa Dawn Alalag
