ROMBLON, October 2, 2024 – After pausing production due to the effects of El Niño, Jolyn’s Vegetables and Fruits Association (JVFA) in San Jose, Romblon, quickly recovered when the rainy season arrived. From July 18 to September, the group earned Php 42,521 by selling over 1,000 kilograms (kgs) of various vegetables under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2.
With the onset of the rainy season concurrent to the delivery of 2,030 packets of vegetable seeds in May, the group eagerly planted on their one-hectare communal farm. They initially used 110 packets, which included okra, cucumber, string beans, sponge gourd, bottle gourd, squash, bitter melon, water spinach, and green chili.
JVFA began harvesting their string beans and cucumbers on July 18, followed by more vegetable harvests from August through September. According to the association’s data, they successfully harvested 1,131.3kgs of vegetables and sold 1,013kgs in the local market. The prices ranged from Php 25 – 100/kg, depending on the market rates in San Jose. Overall, the association earned Php 42,471 (Table 1).
Table 1. JVFA’s production income from July to September 2024
| Commodity | Harvested
(kg) |
Sold
(kg) |
Price/kg
(Php) |
Sales
(Php) |
| Okra | 2.5 | 2.5 | 50.00 | 125.00 |
| Cucumber (Pipino) | 434 | 400 | 30.00 – 60.00 | 14,025.00 |
| String beans (sitao) | 126.2 | 110.7 | 40.00-80.00 | 6,086.00 |
| Patola (Sponge gourd) | 138 | 114 | 30.00-70.00 | 4,490.00 |
| Upo (Bottle gourd) | 182 | 179 | 30.00-40.00 | 5,390.00 |
| Squash | 47.5 | 47.5 | 25.00-40.00 | 1,340.00 |
| Bitter melon (Ampalaya) | 188 | 146.5 | 60.00-80.00 | 10,175.00 |
| Water spinach (Kangkong) | 9.5 | 9.5 | 50.00 | 475.00 |
| Green Chili (Siling Pansigang) | 3.6 | 3.6 | 100.00 | 365.00 |
| Total | 1131.3 | 1013.3 | 42,471.00 |
The association saved their earnings while continuing to harvest and produce more crops. Alongside the mentioned vegetables, they also grew tomatoes, red chili, and eggplant, which they hoped would further boost their profits.
Jolyn Oczon, JVFA’s vice president, expressed their gratitude to SAAD for allowing them to start their project. He shared that their association was established because of the program.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa SAAD, na kami po ‘yong napili na bigyan ng proyekto. Malaking tulong po ito sa tulad namin na magsasaka at nang dahil sa SAAD [ay] nakabuo kami ng grupo na handang magtulungan para mapaunlad namin ‘yong ibinigay na proyekto ng SAAD,” he said.
(We are thankful to SAAD for choosing us to be given this project. This is a big help for farmers like us, and because of SAAD, we were able to form a group that is ready to work together to improve the project given to us by SAAD.)
Despite losing production during the El Niño months, the association remained determined, especially since the arrival of seeds from SAAD perfectly coincided with the planting season. They expanded their planting area to make the most of the seeds they received. In addition to these interventions, they were provided with essential farm tools that greatly supported their planting efforts.
Meanwhile, in preparation for possible extreme heat next year, they took early steps to store water using plastic drums given by the program. As of September, JVFA had received over Php 213,000 worth of support for the year, including plastic mulch and seedling trays. ###
Writer: Melissa F. Lingco, DA-SAAD Information Officer II
Source: Engr. Maiden M. Segui, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Association Project Officer II, Jercel N. Catubig – DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Community Development Officer II
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