Sweet evolution of Lola Carmelita Farms in Cotabato
In the world of agriculture, the mulberry tree is celebrated for its exceptional resilience, thriving in challenging soil conditions, and recovering swiftly after being pruned.
At Lola Carmelita Farms in Barangay Camada, Magpet, Cotabato Province, the mulberry tree’s remarkable resilience is more than just a botanical concept – it embodies a tangible reality for the farm.
In 2014, the land was alive with the sounds of hogs. However, by 2019, profound silence replaced the farms’ lively atmosphere as Magpet became the first municipality in the province to be affected by African swine fever (ASF).
“Actually, itong (this) farm, it started as a piggery farm in 2014, then because of the challenges sa mahal masyado yung feeds, tapos pinakamalaki talaga na (the feeds are too expensive, and then the biggest) problem was in 2019 nagkaroon kami ng ASF dito sa (we had ASF here in) Magpet,” Jay C. Sumatra, owner of Lola Carmelita Farms, shared in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency.
However, a small “accident” had already been set in motion. Years earlier, Sumatra—a retired engineer with 18 years of experience in the hotel industry—had planted mulberry trees and madre de agua as alternative feed for his swine. When the pigs were gone, the mulberry trees remained.
“Actually itong mulberry farm, by accident lang ito, this is fully serendipity, hindi namin akalain na mapunta kami dito (Actually, this mulberry farm was just an accident; it’s fully serendipitous. We never thought we would end up here),” Sumatra recounted.
The owner discovered that the mulberry tree had a “superpower” that most fruit trees do not possess: the ability to produce fruit up to six times a year.
Enthralled by its potential and health benefits, he contacted a farm in San Fernando, Pampanga, to obtain a specific high-quality variety.
What started as just four rooted saplings has dramatically changed the landscape. Now, six years later, those four plants have multiplied into at least 2,000 hills spread across a two-hectare farm lot.
It is now considered the largest mulberry farm in the province, according to Sumatra.
Much like the mulberry tree, which provides shade and nourishment to its surroundings, the farm has become a valuable community resource.
The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region 12 has recently recognized it as one of the learning sites for agriculture (LSA) in the province. This designation helps Sumatra share his knowledge, teaching visitors everything from mulberry propagation to the harvest.
For a minimum fee of P50, guests can enjoy “mulberry picking” throughout the year. They are given a cup to fill with berries and can eat as many as they want while in the field.
The farm has evolved beyond a simple orchard; it now serves as a processing hub, transforming the perishable harvest into high-value products such as ready-to-drink mulberry juice, mulberry wine, mulberry jam, and concentrates.
In horticulture, pruning a mulberry tree encourages stronger growth. The owner is applying this same principle to his business.
With a recent request for assistance from the ATI, he plans to expand the farm by building a greenhouse to ensure a successful vineyard.
The retired engineer, who previously managed teams in luxury hotels, now focuses on managing the soil with a new goal in mind: creating jobs for his neighbors.
“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” Sumatra said, offering advice to aspiring investors. “I’m willing to share my practices so you won’t have to struggle. That is our commitment.”
In Barangay Camada, the mulberry trees stand tall—not merely as a source of fruit but as a symbol that, even after the harshest winter caused by ASF, a farm can flourish once more, stronger and sweeter than before. (CSH, PIA Cotabato Province)
