The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) and the DA Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Regulations recently visited Ouan’s Worth Farm, a proud beneficiary of the Composting Facility for Biodegradable Wastes (CFBW) in Lucena City, Quezon Province. The visit aimed to capture their inspiring story through an on-site feature and video documentation.

This initiative was made possible through the collaboration of the DA Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Regulations, led by Undersecretary Atty. Asis G. Perez, represented by Ms. Nwynn Vrenely Faith Bulusan, and the DA-BSWM team, under the leadership of Director Gina Parde-Nilo, Ph.D. and Assistant Director Denise A. Solano, through Engr. Alresty S. Mationg, Mr. Mario S. Acosta Jr., and Mr. Sandro Von M. Sabornido of the Compost Production Implementation Team (CPIT), Mr. Julus Enoch Fechalin and Ms. China Anao from the Information Unit.

Ouan’s Worth Farm, owned by Retired General Ricardo Sarmiento II and managed by Mr. Glenn S. Gabales, shared their inspiring journey of revitalizing the land and improving the community’s well-being through organic farming. Under the leadership of General Sarmiento, the farm has become a model of sustainability. Thanks to the composting facility, local barangays can exchange 10 kilograms of biodegradable waste for a pack of compost and two seedlings, empowering residents to actively participate in sustainable waste management while enhancing soil health.

Mr. Sarmiento recalled the challenges the farm faced in the past when the soil quality declined due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. After learning about the support offered by DA-BSWM through the composting facility, it marked the start of their transformative shift toward a more sustainable and organic farming practices — they became a beneficiary in 2023.

“In terms of money ay mga 50 percent ang natipid namin, but in terms sa kalusugan namin, palagay ang aking kalooban na yung aming katawan ay hindi nasisira at bagkos ay pinagaganda pa ang health o kalusugan, hindi lamang sa amin, sa mga bumibili din ng produkto namin” he shared.

This powerful initiative not only supports sustainable farming but also fosters a healthier environment and community. The activity is part of a larger effort to inspire other farmers to adopt similar technologies that promote sustainable waste management and improve soil health, making a significant impact on both the economy and the environment.Let’s continue to support and spread the word about innovative farming solutions like Ouan’s Worth Farm! 🌿🌍

#BagongPilipinas

#ParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas

#DABSWM

#BSWMBagongPilipinas

#Composting