It was my parents, Jose Gaudencio “Denny Boy” Realiza and Ma. Erna Realiza, who influenced me in farming and taught me how to raise poultry, livestock, and rabbits, among other things. Before me and my siblings go to our newly opened rice fields in Labrador (Prinda), Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte due to the government irritation project. My mother is the one managing it, from planting to rice milling.

Reminiscing Trials

I have so many trials in my garden, especially in converting it from conventional, expensive organic technology to a low-cost scientific organic technology called JADAM. The number one problem is actually capital in establishing a farm since so many government agencies, such as our local DTI, didn’t approve my small loan just for the expansion of my self-made Carlu’s Garden Nature Integrated Farm, even if they knew I was capable of paying it. Maybe they look at my small agribusiness enterprise as not profitable despite the fact that my farm is actually duly registered with their agency, DTI, Mayor’s Permit, and BIR with an official receipt for my high-end restaurants, where I supplied herbs such as garlic cloves, flower buds, aromatic coriander, peppermint, Persian limes, and Persian mini cucumbers from Known-You Seed.

JADAM isn’t a secret. In fact, JADAM has tens of thousands of farmers employing its practices in the world. However, in the Philippines, there aren’t a lot of people who practice JADAM, much less know about it.

No One Left Behind

Realiza was trained in JADAM by attending a seminar held by the president and founder himself, Youngsang Cho. However, that kind of opportunity won’t always come by, so Realiza has taken it upon himself to teach others about the advantages of JADAM. 

In this industry, you need to be more innovative, resourceful, and expand your connections. My advice for young people who love farming is don’t rely to much on government programs because most of the time they are not sustainable.

My vision is that no one is left behind in Philippine agriculture, especially in organic agriculture and urban/pre-Urban agriculture. By providing safe, healthy, and delicious foods for our special markets.