The resilience of Mae Reyes and the journey of success with AMIA

This is the inspiring journey of Mae Reyes, a 51-year-old farmer leader from Banga, Aklan, whose unwavering dedication and resilient spirit have made her a beacon of hope in her farming community. Known for her warm smile and generous heart, Mae has spent her life not only cultivating her land but also serving fellow farmers through the AMIA program, bringing positive change and resilience to those around her.

Mae’s early exposure to agriculture began with her parents, who owned a small farmland. Growing up, she spent her elementary days in the fields, learning the essentials of seedling preparation and rice farming alongside her father and mother. While her parents instilled in her the value of hard work, it was her mother who inspired her passion for community service, as she volunteered actively to support local farmers.

Despite her family’s financial struggles, which limited her siblings’ educational opportunities, Mae was determined to continue her studies. With her mother’s encouragement and her father’s influence, she persevered to obtain scholarships and eventually enrolled in an agriculture program, setting aside her dream of accountancy. Although life took her down a different path, agriculture became the foundation of her life’s mission.

In 1998, Mae married, but life was far from stable. As her husband moved from one job to another, they led a transient life, never establishing a permanent home. The challenges deepened when, in 2002, her father passed away, and in 2020, her mother followed. Despite her own grief, Mae felt a profound responsibility to honor her parents’ legacy by managing the family farm that her siblings had entrusted to her. This was her turning point—a decision to transform her family’s land into something that would benefit not only herself but her community.

Mae’s journey with the AMIA program began in 2019, and it was here that her leadership truly blossomed. Although she had already gained experience as a local farmer technician, AMIA’s training opened new doors. The program introduced her to climate-resilient agricultural practices and the vital role of communal gardens, which proved life-saving during the pandemic. As food shortages loomed, the vegetables grown in their AMIA-initiated communal garden became a lifeline, sustaining the community and reinforcing Mae’s belief in the power of unity and shared effort.

In 2021, Mae’s dedication was further recognized when she participated in a comprehensive training program at Aklan State University, a privilege she actively encouraged her fellow farmers to join. Through the AMIA program, she learned new technologies for climate adaptation, sustainable farming, and poultry management, all of which she would bring back to her community.

Mae’s leadership style is consultative and inclusive, embodying the spirit of “bayanihan,” a Filipino value that champions communal unity. She became the chairperson of her local farmers’ association, a position she embraced wholeheartedly. Her mission was clear: to bring farmers together, implement climate-resilient farming practices, and foster a supportive network where everyone could thrive.

Under her leadership, the association achieved several milestones:

• Bayanihan Communal Garden: Their communal garden not only provided food but also became a model of community resilience and collaboration.
• Trade Fair Participation: May led her association to participate in the local trade fair, giving them an avenue to showcase their produce and connect with a broader market.
• Poultry Project: Starting with just 50 chickens, the association’s poultry project has since expanded to over 200, providing a sustainable source of income through AMIA’s rollover scheme. Farmers learned to make their own poultry feed, cutting costs and creating a self-reliant system.

Through AMIA, May also secured support for an egg incubator machine to sustain and grow their poultry initiative. This technology will help the association scale up, allowing each member to benefit from higher productivity and greater financial stability.

Mae’s success would not have been possible without her family’s support. Her husband and children have stood by her, understanding the value of her mission and the joy she finds in farming and serving her community. They work together on the farm, fully invested in the growth of their family’s legacy and the empowerment of their community.

Mae Reyes’s story is one of resilience, community, and the transformative power of agriculture. Her journey shows that success isn’t just measured in yields or profits; it’s found in the relationships she’s built, the skills she’s shared, and the lives she’s touched. Her story inspires every farmer, young or old, to see the potential of agriculture not only as a livelihood but as a vehicle for community transformation.

Mae’s life is a testament to what can be achieved when a farmer leads with a compassionate heart, a clear vision, and the support of a program like AMIA. For Mae, farming isn’t just work; it’s a calling, and through it, she has found purpose, strength, and a sense of fulfillment that she joyfully shares with others.###