One Woman’s Journey from the Fields to a Greener Future

Alarlaa Joy Cagata, founder of ABANSE NPK Agricultural Supply and a young farmer from San Geronimo, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, is quietly changing the landscape of farming—one handful of soil at a time. At an age when many are still figuring out what path to take, Alarlaa has already planted hers firmly in the fields, with a clear goal: to make farming more affordable, sustainable, and appealing to the next generation.

As a former Farmer Coordinator of the PATANOM Cooperative, Alarlaa’s introduction to the world of agriculture came not from textbooks, but from experience—days under the sun, boots in the mud, and conversations with farmers who, despite their vital role in food production, often struggle to make ends meet. It was in those conversations that she found her calling.

“When I was working in the field, I realized how vital farmers are to our daily needs. They provide us food and support our survival,” she recalls.

That awakening didn’t just stir empathy—it sparked action. Witnessing how high the cost of farm inputs burdened smallholder farmers, she began to think of ways to ease that load. Her solution came in the form of a business built not just to profit, but to help.

In 2022, Alarlaa founded ABANSE NPK Agricultural Supply, a homegrown enterprise producing natural fertilizers from raw and locally available materials such as mudpress, chicken dung, and carbonized rice hull. The idea was simple: to provide an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers that both nourishes crops and restores soil health. She started small, blending and packing the fertilizers herself, while juggling her job in the Department of Education (DepEd) and finishing her degree in management. What she lacked in capital and manpower, she made up for in grit.

Her parents—farmers themselves—became her earliest inspiration. She called them her “farmer heroes,” a title borne not out of sentimentality, but out of genuine respect for their hard work and unrecognized contributions. The farmers she worked with during her time with the cooperative only deepened that respect. Their stories of perseverance amid adversity fueled her desire to make a tangible difference.

That opportunity came through the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program. When Alarlaa learned about the competition, she took a leap of faith, submitting a business model canvas for her fertilizer enterprise. She had the idea but no funding, and the YFC turned out to be the spark she needed. Not only was she selected as a regional winner—she also emerged as one of the national awardees, securing her initial capital and opening doors for further growth.

“When I first heard of the YFC Program, I knew it was the answer to my dreams. I had the idea, but I didn’t know where to get the capital,” she says. The support didn’t just validate her vision—it gave her the resources to sustain and professionalize her operations.

In 2024, she took another bold step and joined the YFC Upscale Program, where she was again selected as a regional awardee and granted ₱300,000 in additional capital. This funding allowed her to expand production, improve packaging, and extend her reach to more communities beyond Barotac Viejo. The business, now steadily growing, has formed contract farming partnerships with three farms cultivating rice and corn. But Alarlaa’s approach goes beyond simply supplying fertilizers. She enters into agreements with the farmers, ensuring a buy-back of their produce— providing them with income security and building long-term trust.

“We don’t just supply fertilizers—we also enter into agreements where we commit to buying their produce. This ensures a steady income for them,” she says. True to its tagline, “Love thy soil, the natural way,” ABANSE NPK does more than restore nutrients to the land—it restores dignity to the hands that farm it.

Determined to spark broader change, Alarlaa also founded a youth organization called HIMATA or “Hugpong sang mga Ilonggo nga Mangungumang Kabataan Association.” Registered with the Department of Labor and Employment and accredited by their local government, HIMATA serves as a platform for young farmers to collaborate, share knowledge, and see farming not just as labor, but as livelihood. Her goal is to inspire the youth to take up agriculture—not as a last resort, but as a proud and promising choice.

“I wanted to inspire the youth to farm. We need the younger generation to continue planting so that food will be available for future families,” she says.

Her academic background in management has been instrumental in running the enterprise. What she learned from her course—planning, organizing, controlling—she now applies in day-to-day operations. As a public servant working in education, she also makes it a point to give back. During the annual Brigada Eskwela, she donates fertilizers to schools. She even extends discounts to students and educational institutions, understanding the value of agricultural literacy.

Like most entrepreneurs, she faced her share of hurdles. In the beginning, she had no staff, no marketing team, and no established customer base. It was a lonely start, she admitted. Marketing the product was a challenge—until she turned to social media. Through consistent posts, stories, and customer feedback, she slowly gained traction. Orders started to come in. Farmers began to take notice. And just as importantly, her confidence grew.

Balancing public service and agribusiness is not easy, but Alarlaa thrives on time management and a deep sense of mission. The rewards, she said, are worth it. She now earns her own income, supports her family, and reconnects with farmers she used to serve as a coordinator. What started as a solo endeavor has blossomed into a business with impact—and a future that looks just as fertile as the fields she helps nourish.

Looking ahead, Alarlaa hopes to scale ABANSE NPK even further—partnering with more farmer cooperatives across the region, entering new provinces, and expanding product lines to meet more farming needs. But at the heart of it all remains her commitment to serve.

“My dream is for this enterprise to thrive financially—not for personal gain, but to open doors to sustainable and meaningful livelihoods for others,” she reflects.

For her, agriculture is the backbone of the country. She believes it’s time young people returned to the land—not just to work it, but to lead it into the future.

“No young farmer, no food, no future,” she declares.

To others who may be thinking of starting from scratch, she offers this: “Don’t be afraid of failure. Failures are the foundation of success. I started from scratch, but now I am proud to be someone others look up to.”

In the quiet town of Barotac Viejo, a young woman is proving that the future of farming isn’t just in technology or machinery—it’s in the courage of those who dare to plant differently. Through her enterprise and advocacy, Alarlaa Joy Cagata continues to sow seeds of hope, leading with heart, rooted in purpose, and growing change where it matters most: the ground beneath our feet.###

Text by Myleen S. Subang & Photos by Cristine F. Lauresta & Georgia Mae M. Cordova / DA-RAFIS 6