In farming, timing can mean the difference between profit and loss.
For Keyward Gendrano, a member of the Villa Esperanza Farmers Association (VEFA) in Alabat, Quezon, growing chili is not simply about planting and harvesting, it is about making careful decisions amid uncertainty. Every production cycle involves weighing risks, anticipating market shifts, and preparing for challenges that can wipe out months of labor in a matter of weeks.
His days revolve around farm work, a routine he has embraced for years. Though he has no family of his own yet and still lives with his parents, Keyward has long learned to stand on his own. Through farming and seasonal fishing, he earns for himself while also helping support his household.
When fishing season comes, particularly in September and from February to March, he heads to the sea. But from March onward, his focus shifts back to the land.
Among the crops he has tried, chili remains his primary choice. He once planted string beans, but production became difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over time, he found chili to be more practical and profitable because of its strong market demand and favorable pricing, especially during off-season months.
Currently, Keyward has planted nearly 2,000 chili plants, though his land can accommodate as many as 3,000.
But before a single seedling reaches the soil, significant investment is already required. Keyward purchases his own seeds, with one can costing around Php 2,100 containing approximately 5,000 to 6,000 seeds, enough for an entire production cycle. Additional expenses include land preparation, irrigation, labor, and fuel.
Land preparation alone requires renting a tractor at Php 1,500 per hour, taking around three and a half hours to complete. Afterward, two workers are hired at Php 500 each to perform hilling-up, creating furrows for water distribution across the farm, a process that takes about a week.
Water also remains one of the most pressing challenges. During dry months, irrigation becomes increasingly costly. Keyward uses a diesel-powered water pump, spending around Php 150 every three days. When natural water sources become insufficient, farmers are forced to spend more on fuel or purchased water just to keep crops alive.
Despite these expenses, farming remains a worthwhile venture—if conditions remain favorable.
“Nakadepende pa rin yan sa panahon. Kapag hindi siya tinamaan ng bagyo, hindi siya tinamaan ng sakit, sigurado naman na kikita talaga. Ang inaabangan namin ay iyong off-season na presyo lalo na pag ber months,” Keyward shared.
[It still depends on the weather. If the crops are spared from typhoons and disease, we can be confident that we’ll earn well. What we really look forward to are the off-season prices, especially during the ber months.]
At present, chili sells for around Php 100 per kilogram. However, prices significantly rise during the “ber” months. From September to November, prices may reach Php 200 per kilogram, and by December, they can soar to Php 400 to Php 500 per kilogram.
This is why planting schedules matter. For Keyward, chili farming is partly about reading the market and taking calculated risks. Farmers intentionally schedule production so harvests coincide with months when supply is low and demand is high.
But even the best timing cannot eliminate all risks.
One of Keyward’s most difficult experiences came when fungal disease struck his crops. He encountered anthracnose twice, first in 2019 and again in 2024.
The disease causes dark, sunken lesions on chili fruits, beginning as small circular black spots before developing into severe rot. Once it appears, infection can spread rapidly across an entire field.
“Ang bilis lang kumalat, tapos wala na, lahat na nagkasakit. Wala pang isang buwan, lahat affected na, weeks lang,” he recalled.
What began as damage affecting half of his plants soon spread to nearly all of them. Though he still earned something from the harvest, the returns fell far below expectations.
“Kumita naman kahit papaano pero hindi siguro iyong ini-expect naming kita sa dami ng tanim. Pambawi lang, kahit papaano may pangmeryenda,” he joked.
Behind his humor, however, was visible disappointment, a farmer confronting the painful reality of seeing months of hard work diminished by circumstances beyond his control.
In 2019, Keyward recorded one of his biggest harvests, producing around 400 kilograms of chili. By 2024, yields had declined due to prolonged rains and fungal disease. Excessive moisture significantly affects chili crops, making them more vulnerable to disease and reducing productivity.
Instead of giving up, Keyward searched for solutions. He researched disease management practices and applied fungicides, including inputs provided through the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) CALABARZON Program. His initiative reflects not only resourcefulness but also a willingness to continuously improve.
This year, Keyward resumed planting in May after taking a break in 2025 to recover from losses and secure suitable land for another production cycle.
Through DA-SAAD, Keyward received production support such as fertilizers, pesticides, water drums, sprayers, sprinklers, plastic mulch, sickles, and a grass cutter, along with specialized training on vegetable production. These interventions helped ease both operational costs and production challenges.
The water drums, sprayers, and sprinklers became especially useful during dry periods. By collecting rainwater when available, he can better manage limited water resources. By his estimate, SAAD assistance reduces nearly 30 percent of his farming expenses.
Beyond material support, Keyward emphasized the value of training. Among the most important lessons he gained were proper record-keeping and financial literacy, particularly in budgeting farm expenses. He also learned the correct fertilizer application rates and recommended plant spacing, technical knowledge that improves productivity and resource efficiency.
During a recent input distribution in Villa Esperanza, chili seeds were included among the assistance. Since Keyward had already planted for the season, he plans to use the seeds in his next production cycle.
Outside farming, Keyward is also among local farmers engaged in sahing collection, a high-value resin found in their barangay. Although he knows he can manage both activities through proper time management, he has chosen to focus on chili farming for now.
For Keyward, farming has become more than a livelihood. It has become a purpose.
“Ang pagsasaka para sa akin ay passion ko na. Masaya ang pagsasaka kahit may risks talaga. Kumikita, minsan hindi, pero masaya. Sabi nga ni Nanay, nakakatulong sa katawan, maganda ang health benefits dahil nakakapag-exercise, at syempre in time, malaki ang possibility na kumita,” he shared with a smile.
[For me, farming has already become my passion. Farming brings me joy even though it comes with risks. Sometimes it earns well, sometimes it doesn’t, but it still makes me happy. As my mother says, it is good for the body, it has health benefits because it keeps you active. And of course, in time, there is always a big possibility of earning well.]
His harvest comes twice a week, or roughly every four days. During early harvests, he sells produce at the public market in Atimonan. For larger volumes, he transports his chili to Procy, a major vegetable trading hub in Sariaya, Quezon, shouldering transport costs himself.
Like many farmers, Keyward works within a reality where uncertainty is constant. Weather changes, disease outbreaks, fluctuating prices, and rising production costs all shape the outcome of every season.
Yet he continues, not because farming guarantees success, but because he understands both its risks and possibilities. For farmers like Keyward, agriculture is rarely a matter of certainty. It is a continuous exercise in timing, adaptation, and informed decision-making.
And perhaps that is what defines modern farming most, not the absence of risk, but the courage to plant despite it. ###
