A day in the life of a FarmKO worker

When Via Angelica Sadili was tasked to go to the FarmKO farm in Dolores, Quezon one day in 2022, she thought she would only be receiving coconut seedlings. At that time, she was working a clerical job at the Primex plant in Mangilag Sur, Candelaria, Quezon.

Little did she know it would be a turning point in her early career.

Now 26, Via is one of the mainstays in the Dolores farm, where she is able to apply her degree in agricultural technology to her everyday tasks. Initially she was assigned to the aquaculture and poultry departments. Now in farming, she makes her rounds to ensure that the farmers are performing their programmed tasks the sustainable way: planting, watering the crops and applying fertilizer, among them. When they stray from the prescribed schedule, she points it out and makes sure they do better the following day. In Dolores, given the unique topography, climate, and soil quality, they grow sun-loving crops like ampalaya, cucumber, coconut, mangoes, jackfruit, and passion fruit. They also have mulberry, herbs and spices for the resort.

Via also helps manage the daily challenges of farm life, specifically when the plants get sick due to the changing climate, strong winds, or insects coming from other farms around the FarmKO vicinity.

She is most proud of FarmKO’s integrated farming practices, specifically the systems and technologies that are in place.

“All this is part of being sustainable,” she says.

For instance, drip irrigation ensures there is no wastage in water, which in turn is sourced completely from the fishpond. They are also currently working on automating the application of fertilizer so that it is evenly, consistently, and efficiently applied to the crops.

In the next few days and months, as the resort is completed and begins welcoming the public, FarmKO will introduce the concept of farm to table to more people as it tells guests of the merits of sustainable farming. Via is currently working on her presentation deck and hopes the public will be receptive to sustainability, not just as a special weekend activity but as a way of life. The challenge is to offer farm produce at the same prices as traditional farms, but make people aware that what they are doing is different and is a step up from the usual methods.

At the end of every day, Via boards the farm shuttle to go home to Candelaria. She is happy and thankful for being part of the farm in its initial days, as she remains a part of it as the vision slowly comes to fruition, one step at a time.