Pangulong Gloria Scholar Finds Wealth in Agriculture

An ordinary farmer, JACINTO C. MABOLES fondly called as SINTO in his locality (Brgy. Balibayon, Surigao City), continuously dreams of developing a land into an agricultural enterprise. He widely ventures in several attempts of planting variety of crops in a tenanted land. However, no matter how intense he did in farming, his income was insufficient to meet the needs of the family. Among his four children, only one graduated from high school and pursued one semester in a college program; but then, his son quit because of financial constraint.

Luck Knocks at the Door         

Aware of his community, Sinto felt a need to establish a cooperative projecting pineapple production. Through a government loan the cooperative marched towards the goal. After the first fruitful harvest, an internal conflict among the members nipped the bud of agricultural enterprise. This situation did not hamper Sinto’s enthusiasm in the venture.

            On June 2006, Sinto opted to get assistance from the Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and Technology-Famers Information Technology Services (SNCAT-FITS). The Institution provided several proposals requesting other government linkages for commodity development particularly the Caraga Consortium for Agriculture and Research Development (CCARRD) incharge for the development of Magsasakang Siyentista nationwide.

Science and Technology Based Pineapple Farm

            A 0.25 hectare of land was granted to the hardworking farmer as well as a capital outlay amounting to Php 100,000.00 to defray input expenses in the said pineapple farm. Sinto used the 20 cm x 50 cm x 80 cm distance in planting equivalent to 8 suckers/sq.m., a total of 20,000 hills in staggered basis.

At present, there is an initial return of investment amounting to Php 40,000.00, more schedules for harvest and more suckers for the continuity of program.

Pangulong Gloria Scholarship

 Driven by his determination in agriculture enterprise, Sinto embraced the PGS program and graduated in HORTICULTURE NC II qualification at SNCAT-IMSF, Day-asan, Surigao City. Amazingly, his competencies in agriculture were multiplied. He has started with other crops such as banana, cassava, falcate and mango. Today, other interested Surigaonons topped his expertise and secure suckers from his pineapple farm as well as the technology. He works part time as a consultant and co-manager in a 10 ha. of land owned by an agriculture conscious Surigaonons.

A Dream Fulfilled

 With the blessings received, Sinto portrays tolerance against all odds, hard work against poverty and confidence against despair. A handful of soil tilled with love and joy is