The freshly-harvested ginger neatly arranged at the Dumalneg Market may have looked ordinary to many buyers, but for the members of Riverside Greeners Association (RISGA) Inc., each kilogram carried a story of hardship, resilience, and perseverance.
Just a few years ago, the farmers feared they would lose not only their crops, but also the livelihood that sustained their families.
In 2023, RISGA received 2,000 kilograms of ginger rhizomes through the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 under its Cattle and Ginger Production Project. For the farmers, the intervention sparked optimism that ginger production could help improve their income and provide more opportunities for their community in the geographically isolated municipality of Dumalneg.
However, the promise of a good harvest was soon threatened.
Much of the association’s ginger crop suffered heavy damage during the reproductive stage due to rhizome rot — a disease commonly caused by excess moisture, poor drainage, or infected planting materials. The outbreak affected nearly the entire 2,000 kilograms of planted ginger, leaving many farmers discouraged after months of labor in the field.
For a while, uncertainty lingered among the members. Yet despite the losses, RISGA farmers chose not to surrender.
Instead, they slowly rebuilt their production while learning improved farming practices with the help of technical assistance from the DA-SAAD Program. Their determination was further strengthened when the association received another 1,500 kilograms of ginger rhizomes worth Php 351,000 in May 2025.
For many members, the support became more than just farm inputs. It became a reminder that they were not alone in their struggle.
With optimism and determination, RISGA members planted ginger on a 2,512 square meter area from May 30 to 31, 2025. This time, the farmers became more careful and attentive in managing their crops, applying lessons learned from previous production challenges.
Months later, their perseverance slowly bore fruit.
From May 3 to 15, 2026, the association harvested a total of 2,500 kilograms of ginger through three separate harvests. Their produce was sold at Php 120 per kilogram to buyers including the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), LGU-Dumalneg, and nearby markets.
Their first harvest, consisting of 550 kilograms of fresh ginger, was showcased and sold during the Kadiwa ng Pangulo market linkage activity held on May 7 at the Dumalneg Market.
The activity, organized by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 (DA RFO1), provided Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) direct access to consumers and market opportunities.
For RISGA President Wilfredo N. Nonesa, the successful harvest and market participation represented a major turning point for their association.
“Narikna mi ti rigat ken pannakapukaw idi immay ti sakit iti mula mi, ngem saan kami a nagtaltalaw. Babaen ti tulong ti DA-SAAD ken iti panagmaymaysa ti organisasion, nakabangon kami manen.”
(We experienced hardship and losses when disease affected our crops, but we did not give up. Through the support of DA-SAAD and the unity of the association, we were able to rise again.)
He added that seeing customers buy their ginger during the Kadiwa activity gave farmers stronger motivation to continue improving their livelihood.
Meanwhile, DA-SAAD Area Coordinator for Dumalneg Duan Joy B. Clemente-Binala emphasized that the resilience shown by RISGA farmers reflects the true purpose of the program.
“The success of RISGA farmers is not only about harvests or sales. It shows that despite hardships, communities can recover when there is support and cooperation.”
She further shared that initiatives like Kadiwa market linkages help empower farmers by giving them better market access while strengthening their confidence to continue agricultural production.
Aside from the income earned, the experience became deeply meaningful for RISGA members.
From once watching their ginger crops rot in the fields to finally selling fresh produce directly to consumers, the farmers now see proof that perseverance, combined with continuous support, can create new opportunities for rural communities.
Today, RISGA’s story is not only about ginger farming.
It is a story of farmers who endured losses but chose to continue planting. A story of a community that transformed setbacks into motivation. And most importantly, it is a reminder that behind every harvest are people whose resilience continues to inspire confidence — not only for their families, but for the future of agriculture in Dumalneg. ###
