Author name: RAFIS DA6

Nimfa Ballarta’s story is quiet but fierce; the kind that grows from daily labor and one small opportunity that turned into a livelihood for an entire family. Born and raised in Brgy. Pis-anan, Sibalom, Antique, Nimfa learned the rhythms of farm life from her parents such as planting, weeding, drying palay, carrying sacks of rice.

Mandurriao, Iloilo City—The Department of Agriculture- Western Visayas through the YFC Regional Program Management Team (RPMT) and the Regional Panel of Judges together with the technical experts officially awards on December 11, 2025, the 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟕 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢-𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬 (𝐁𝐌𝐂) 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬: Production: – 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 (Province of Guimaras) – 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐚 (Province of

Rooted from a research study formulated by a create duo, paragis, a type that pester the fields, was transformed into an eco-friendly and sustainable product. While others see paragis as a mere weed, a pair of youthful initiatives hailing from the mountains of Aklan saw a great potential within palagtiki. All around abundant, and a

At 65, Teresa “Teray” Basinag of Brgy. Iloco, San Rafael, Iloilo, carries a life’s worth of lessons in her hands, the calluses from planting, a laugh seasoned by hardship, and a quiet pride in a family shaped by agriculture. Her story moves from survival to stewardship; and it’s a portrait of how training, grit, and

In Talisay City, Negros Occidental, a group of five Mechanical Engineering students from the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) Visayas developed a comprehensive technological solution to the predicament faced by small-scale fishermen, providing stakeholders with access to smart, real-time monitoring systems. The agri-tech initiative of Erick Joshua Castor, Melvin Mark Grandia, Rhys Ryan Gimay,

For years, Prince Christian Nervez and his fellow farmers in Barangay Masalting, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, lived with quiet frustration. They tilled their lands with faith but saw little favor, often watching government support bypass their community. Assistance frequently went to those with connections, leaving ordinary farmers skeptical that help from above would ever reach them.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas received four awards during the 2025 Western Visayas Regional Information Officers’ Summit, hosted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region VI, on December 18 in Bacolod City.  Kaumahan, the agency’s official news magazine, secured first place in the Best News Magazine category. This semestral publication features news and

In Banate, Iloilo, the Abante Banate AMIA Village Farmers Association(ABAVFA)  is reclaiming its place as a thriving model of resilience and cooperation. Their 1.4-hectare communal garden is now brimming with eggplant, cucumber, kangkong, and pechay has become a symbol of revival for the community. With steady production and good harvests, the farmers have been able to

In the AMIA Village of Pontevedra, Capiz, one farmer stands out for his courage to challenge old habits and introduce a new way of farming. Ronilo S. Esquillo, 52, from Jolongajog, began his livelihood as a fishpond worker. But when he embraced rice farming and later became part of the AMIA Program, he discovered a