Dale Hodgins wrote:For people to be interested in farming, they have to see some future in it. And for that they need imagination, something that is sorely lacking. I look at people who've been doing the same thing for generations, and wonder have you not looked on the internet, have you not looked around in other towns? It seems that everyone who has hopes and dreams, chooses to leave the farm. I don't see people Tuesday to go in the other direction. I met numerous people born in the city of Cebu, which I certainly don't count as a nice place. Even amongst those who have saved a bit of money, none of the ones I talk to have dreams of moving to the countryside and farming. I think it's a class thing, and their society has determined that farming is low class.
Hey Dale, have really enjoyed reading your adventures so far. I'm living in the Philippines but just south of Manila. The organic food movement has gained a lot of traction up here in Manila, and I'm sure it's just a matter of time before a city like Cebu catches up. In fact, I'd bet on it that there's a lot of organic farms already there. Just look at the likes of farms like "Holy Carabou", "Down to Earth", etc. They're doing really well and charge good prices for really good food. I have a feeling that some of them are set up as cooperatives. Say you could have farmers grow produce with your methods (you could train them up) and then buy off them at better rates than the vegetable dealers and market in the city at high end malls.
Farmers get really horrible deals. Where we are living, for instance, they have Dalandan fruit (like a lemon/orange). The vegetable dealer will only pay me P2 / kilo but in the markets I see them for well over ten times that price. I have heard horror stories though, of not messing with this current "vegetable dealer" system though, in some remote places the access roads etc, have all been built and paid for by the vegetable dealers, and if you mess with that then they may mess with you!
Organic produce is very abundant. You will learn that most rice farmers know very well the horrors of all the chemicals and pesticides they spray on their crops. They often have a small plot that they produce for their own family, free of any nasty stuff.
Anyway, I'm enjoying your adventures and look forward to hearing what you will start. You seemed to have learnt a lot about the culture very quickly. Just a bit of advice, always walk away from any verbal conflicts with aggressive males, never make a Filipino lose face in an argument. It is not worth it.
Regarding good power tools - a lot available here in Manila - you could always do a trip and send a crate back down to Cebu. I've been buying stuff from a place called Goldpeaks, they have a good selection. Also Lazada but sometimes they can have ridiculous prices. Please don't buy any 110V tools. I know you said you can just get a transformer, but it will always be someone else, not you, that inadvertently plugs it into 240V and there goes your tool...
