TUBA, Benguet – Carmen’s Nature Garden opens its raspberry pick-and-pay farm to guests and festivalgoers in Badiwan, Poblacion as part of the fifth day of the community-led Kini-ing Festival.
Located inside Della Prime Ville, the 5,000-square-meter farm accommodates three raspberry varieties – Mysore, European red, and Honey Golden – among other plants and trees.
Awaya, the farm’s manager, noted that raspberries are pricey. There is no entrance fee, but the prices for raspberry-picking range from ₱150 for a small paper cup’s worth to as high as ₱1,200 for a box that could hold nearly one kilogram.
“Nung nabanggit nga sa akin itong raspberry, I never saw a raspberry farm before so I was so interested,” said Myrna, a visitor from Scout Barrio. “And when you say raspberry, other people immediately think of, you know, foreign fruit. Imported ‘yan.” Myrna went on explaining that raspberry planting could give farmers opportunities in the market.
Awaya shared the same sentiment. However, she explained that raspberries are considered an introduced species, and are not yet officially classified under the high-value crop list of the region’s Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR). “Maraming mga farms talaga na nagtatanim na ng mga ganito, that’s why we want to partner with DA sana para magkaroon ng trainings for this one. Pero inaaral pa siya, if it’s going to be included in the high-value crops. Kasi may listahan ang DA ng high-value crops eh. This is an introduced species kasi kaya hindi siya priority ng DA.”
Despite the lack of trainings and seminars, Awaya and her family were able to sustain the farm with the help of a relative who studied raspberry production. “We have a resident agriculturist who is an uncle … He used to be with the Bureau of Plant Industry and siya talaga yung nag-aral. Inaral niya talaga yung growing pattern ng ating raspberries. So, yeah. We can call him the raspberry expert.”
The farm management is planning to expand in another area in Tuba and Apugan, Sto. Tomas in order to keep up with the demands of both visitors and suppliers.
Initiated by the La-Diyang Haven Community, Inc., the Kini-ing Festival is a celebration of oneness and diversity. The inclusion of farm visitations in the festival gives people a glimpse of the lives of farmers as well as appreciation for their hard work. By Aiyra Marzan
