Young Ibaloi farmer adapts to climate change through integrated farming

However, it practiced conventional farming and used synthetic inputs. It changed in 2016 when Laguitao’s parents shifted to organic farming.

Oh Wangan Integrated Farm naturally cultivates leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, pechay, and more.

“We also have coffee and lemon planted around the steep portion of the farm, and we produce different upland seedlings, which we sell to farmers,” the agripreneur said. Despite Laguitao’s efforts, he still faces problems regarding the productivity of his farm, especially during extreme weather conditions. During typhoons, some of the farm’s products get damaged from excessive rain or flooding.

While Filipinos are no strangers to typhoons and their impact, many agree that recent weather patterns have become more intense.

Fortunately, Laguitao faces the impact of climate change prepared. As the name of their family farm suggests, the agripreneur applies integrated farming on their land.

“We practice integrated production wherein we try to produce and raise vegetables, coffee, lemon, vegetable seedlings, and swine,” he said. “This practice has been beneficial to us because there is still a possible source of income whenever other crops are damaged by the adverse effects of climate change.”

He added that they share this knowledge with other farmers, young and old, who sometimes work with them on the farm.

The farm uses natural farming methods to grow leafy vegetables

Laguitao ensures that farmers, regardless of age, working on the farm learn some of the practices they implement

Laguitao and the Oh Wangan Integrated Farm continuously encour- age and employ the youth to generate jobs and to help assure food security for their community and the nation. Although the agripreneur and other farmers have yet to adapt to the impact of climate change, they set an exam- ple, especially within their Indigenous community, that Filipinos are not helpless in this global crisis. If anything, it proves that they work together and inspires future generations to play their role in protecting the planet.