“Naranasan ko pong hindi kumain noon bata ako.”
This was what 49-year-old Ilocana farmer and community leader Arlene Lopez said when she recalled her challenging childhood, growing up and losing their farm in a land dispute. As the eldest child in their family, she was determined to help change their fate by working abroad. "Talagang pinangako ko sa sarili ko noon na pag lumaki na ako, gawin ko yung paraan para magkaroon po ako ng lupa," she said.
After years of hard work in Malaysia and Lebanon, Arlene saved enough to buy a piece of land with her sister. This land would later become the Lopez Integrated Farm School, a beacon of hope and learning for her community. "Hindi ko po inaasahan talaga na bilang isang simple magsasaka is maabot ko po yung kung saan ako ngayon," she shared.
Arlene's transition from OFW to farmer was not without its struggles. She faced depression after losing her bid for a barangay council position in 2018. "Nag-focus talaga ako sa farming para mawala po yung sa akin yung depression," she said. Farming became her solace, and she poured her energy into it, eventually turning her farm into an accredited learning site for agriculture.
Her farm, spanning two hectares, is a model of integrated farming. The farm produces a variety of crops, including vegetables, bananas, and rice, and raises livestock like pigs, goats, and poultry.
Technology has played a crucial role in Arlene's success. Through the Scaling Up Sustainability Project, an initiative led by the Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA) in collaboration with PLDT Inc. (PLDT), and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), she learned to use modern machinery and internet resources to enhance her farming practices. Social media has also been instrumental in marketing her products. "Ipo-post mo lang sa Facebook, nandyan na, delivery na lang po yung gagawin mo," she added.
With funding support through a GlobalGiving grant in partnership with Corteva, this project aims to train 100 Filipino farmers on climate-smart practices and entrepreneurship, to enhance productivity and resilience. The project will unfold in two phases: Phase 1 will focus on mentorship, and Phase 2 will focus on cascading. The proposed mentorship activities will allow women farmer champions to interact with key experts from PPSA’s network to build the farmers' individual expertise on a chosen topic at the same time help build the skills, tools and materials needed for cascading activities. Phase 2 then will also consist of cascading activities of the farmers through organized training sessions where farmer champions will serve as resource persons.
At present, Arlene is currently undergoing a three-month mentorship program on digital entrepreneurship facilitated by PLDT and Smart so that she can teach other traditional farmers in Isabela and encourage them to embrace technology.
PLDT and Smart’s support for this project builds upon their long-standing efforts to promote digital inclusion in agriculture. As part of their broader commitment, the Group has been actively supporting Filipino farmers through digital literacy and technology-driven programs. This includes the Digital Farmers Program, being implemented since 2019 in partnership with the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute.
Arlene's farm school offers training programs funded by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), providing scholarships and allowances to trainees. "Tina-tap po nila itong Lopez Integrated Farm School na maghanap ng mga trainees," she explained. These programs have empowered many in her community, teaching them modern farming techniques and the importance of sustainable practices.
Despite the challenges, Arlene remains optimistic and dedicated to her mission. The support that she receives from her husband has also been vital in managing the farm and training activities. "Sabi niya, kung masaya ka, kung gusto mo pumunta, sige, okay lang ako dito," she shared.
She encouraged other farmers, especially women, to enjoy every moment in the farm. “Manage your time, because every single second is gold.”
PLDT and Smart's support for PPSA's Scaling Up Sustainability Project to benefit women farmer leaders like Arlene is part of its broader goal, together with its partners, to boost livelihood productivity and efficiencies in agriculture. This also supports PLDT and Smart’s efforts to bridge the digital divide and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), specifically UNSDG No. 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
