Every time I see open spaces where only shrubs or weeds grow, I could only shake my head and rue over the food production opportunities that we squander.
I always refer to Israel, although my knowledge of that country’s agricultural advancements was just through my readings, as the best example of how determined, patient and industrious people turned desert areas into a food production oasis.
Maximum utilization of every available land space is an advocacy I have long embraced ever since I returned to the farm in North Cotabato in 1993 after working for over two decades as a full-time journalist in Manila.
When I acquired my farm in Kidapawan City in 1993, many of my friends told me that the piece of land was useless because there was barely a flat area.
The ravines were deep and the only flat area of over one hectare was swampy.
Unperturbed, I planted fruit trees, mainly Longkong Lanzones in the sloping and treacherously steep areas.
I built ponds in the swampy and depresed areas where at one time I raised freshwater Bangus and where I am now raising Black and Red Tilapia.
In the peripheries and boundaries of the farm I planted Mahogany and Rubber trees.
Leguminous plants like Trichantera, indigofera, Moringa and others were also planted for the goats, native pigs and chicken.
I also planted Oil Palm, coconut, Abaca and about 1,000 hills of the Abuyog Sweet variety of Jack Fruit.
In other vacant spaces, Turmeric and the medicinal Mayana were planted.
Lately, I planted Ginger under the Lanzones and Rubber Trees.
Today, we are cultivating other open spaces for Garlic and Onion production.
What I am trying to show people is that the open spaces under the Coconuts commonly seen in many areas if the country could produce another product which could be a source of additional food or earnigs.
Even in the urban centers, residents could grow their own vegetables using pots and discarded plastic containers.
If Filipinos all over the country would embrace this advocacy, no one in this country will ever go hungry.
God has given us the blessings of fertile land, wide seas, abundant water and plenty of sun to produce.
Squandering and ignoring these God-given resources is not only a display of tragic indolence but more so a sign of disrespect and blasphemy for the Great Creator.
(Photos taken in my farm to show intensive utilization of all available space.)
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