The Impact of DAR Foreign-Assisted Projects (FAPs)

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), in fulfilling its mandate to uplift the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and their organizations (ARBOs), has long recognized the importance of forging partnerships with international development agencies. Through Foreign-Assisted Projects (FAPs), DAR is able to access financial resources, technical expertise, and innovative approaches that complement national programs. These collaborations have significantly enhanced the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), bringing lasting improvements to land tenure, productivity, and the overall well-being of rural communities.

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Strengthening Land Tenure Security

At the heart of agrarian reform is the principle of land-to-the-tiller. Several FAPs directly support the DAR in accelerating the distribution of agricultural lands to ARBs. A prime example is the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, funded by the World Bank. This initiative addresses long-standing issues of collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) by subdividing them into individual titles. The project not only empowers ARBs with secure and transferable land ownership. 

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Institutional Capacity Building and Social Infrastructure

Foreign-assisted initiatives go beyond land distribution by strengthening the capacity of ARBOs. Trainings, organizational development activities, and institutional strengthening programs enable ARBs to become effective managers of their lands and enterprises. By investing in human capital, these projects foster self-reliance, responsible leadership, and community solidarity. Institutional building also helps ARBOs transition from small, loosely organized groups into stable and credible partners of government and private institutions.

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Infrastructure Development and Support Services

Another major contribution of FAPs is the construction and rehabilitation of rural infrastructure. Farm-to-market roads, bridges, irrigation systems, potable water facilities, and post-harvest facilities funded through foreign partnerships have drastically improved agricultural productivity and reduced post-harvest losses. These infrastructures lower transportation costs, increase farm efficiency, and open new market opportunities. The multiplier effects of such investments extend to entire communities, enhancing mobility, trade, and access to basic services.

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Enterprise Development and Market Linkages

Foreign-assisted projects also support the establishment of agribusiness ventures and enterprise development initiatives. By integrating ARBOs into value chains, farmers gain access to larger markets and enjoy better bargaining positions. Many projects facilitate direct linkages with institutional buyers, ensuring stable income sources and long-term sustainability. Technical assistance in areas such as financial management, product development, and marketing further enables ARBs to compete in both local and regional markets.

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Access to Credit and Capital

With secure land tenure and organizational strengthening, FAPs also open doors for ARBs to access financial capital. Many projects provide grant support, microfinance facilities, and capacity-building on financial literacy. These mechanisms reduce dependency on informal lenders and empower farmers to invest in farm inputs, equipment, and income-generating activities. Improved credit access ultimately leads to higher productivity and rural economic growth.

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Promoting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

Foreign-assisted initiatives often mainstream gender and social inclusion frameworks. Women, youth, and other marginalized groups are actively included in decision-making, leadership, and enterprise opportunities. This ensures that development benefits are equitably distributed and that agrarian reform outcomes foster inclusivity. Such practices also contribute to the empowerment of rural women, who play critical roles in both farming and community development.

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Climate Resilience and Environmental Stewardship

With the Philippines highly vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change, FAPs also support climate-resilient agriculture. Sustainable farming technologies, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and capacity-building on environmental management are introduced to ARBs and ARBOs. By integrating climate-smart practices, these projects enhance food security and reduce the risks associated with typhoons, floods, and droughts.

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Transformative Impact on Rural Communities

The overall impact of DAR’s foreign-assisted projects is transformative. Beyond the immediate economic gains, they foster inclusive growth, reduce poverty, and strengthen rural communities. With land tenure security, stronger institutions, improved infrastructure, and sustainable livelihoods, ARBs gain dignity, confidence, and hope for a better future. These outcomes are aligned with the broader goals of rural development, social justice, and national food security.

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Conclusion

DAR’s partnership with international development institutions through foreign-assisted projects has been instrumental in advancing agrarian reform. By complementing government resources with global expertise and funding, these projects address critical gaps in land distribution, organizational development, infrastructure, market access, and climate resilience. More importantly, they empower ARBs and ARBOs to become self-reliant, competitive, and resilient players in the agricultural sector. The cumulative effect of these efforts is a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable rural economy that fulfills the vision of agrarian reform.

DAR Turns Over P15-Million Farm-to-Market Road to ARBs in Sitio Dammang, Pamplona, Cagayan

Sitio Dammang, Barangay Bagu, Pamplona, Cagayan, June 17, 2025 - In a milestone event for rural development in Cagayan, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) formally turned over a newly completed 1.1-kilometer concrete farm-to-market road (FMR) to 261 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Sitio Dammang, Barangay Bagu.

The road project, which cost ₱15 million, was funded under the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), the government’s dedicated resource for supporting infrastructure and other development needs of agrarian reform communities. The turnover ceremony was witnessed by DAR officials, local government unit (LGU) representatives headed by Pamplona Mayor Digna Puzon-Antonio and members of the Santa Cruz Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the lead ARB organization of the CURBASTA Agrarian Reform Community (ARC), which includes the barangays of Curva, Bagu, Santa Maria, and surrounding areas.

Regional Director of DAR-Cagayan Valley, Primo C. Lara, emphasized the significance of the infrastructure in his message: “This road is more than just concrete and gravel — it is a symbol of connectivity, opportunity, and progress. It empowers our farmers by bringing their produce closer to markets, reducing transportation costs, and improving their income potential.”

The FMR, which links the agricultural fields of Sitio Dammang to the main barangay roads and nearby trading posts, is expected to boost the mobility of agricultural goods such as rice, corn, root crops, and high-value vegetables. Before its construction, ARBs in the area endured long and difficult trips over muddy and impassable trails, especially during the rainy season.

“For many years, it was a struggle to transport our harvests. Sometimes we would lose part of our crops because we couldn’t deliver on time,” said a farmer-member of the Santa Cruz MPC. “Now, we can reach the market faster, and that means better prices and fewer losses.”

The road project is one of the major interventions under DAR’s Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program (ARBDSP), which seeks to sustain land reform gains through infrastructure, livelihood, and institutional support.

CURBASTA Agrarian Reform Community: Nestled in the upland barangays of Cagayan province, CURBASTA ARC is a vibrant and growing cluster of agrarian reform areas composed of the barangays Curva, Bagu, and Santa Maria, hence the name “CURBASTA.” Established as a consolidated agrarian reform community in the mid-2000s, continues to thrive with the Santa Cruz MPC at the helm of collective efforts to strengthen agri-enterprise and cooperative operations. With the completion of the FMR, the community is optimistic that young people will also be encouraged to stay and engage in farming.

Formed under the Department of Agrarian Reform's community-based rural development approach, CURBASTA ARC brings together agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) who were awarded lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and organized into cooperatives and farmers’ associations.

At the heart of CURBASTA’s development is the Santa Cruz Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC),  the lead ARB organization that has played a crucial role in uniting farmers and spearheading livelihood activities. Over the years, the community has evolved from subsistence farming to more market-oriented agriculture, producing rice, corn, root crops, bananas, and native delicacies. With support from DAR and partner agencies, CURBASTA ARC has benefited from infrastructure projects, farm inputs, capacity building, and livelihood support. 

The recent completion of the 1.1-kilometer concrete farm-to-market road in Sitio Dammang marks another step forward in CURBASTA’s continuing journey toward inclusive rural development and agricultural sustainability. Today, the community stands as a testament to the impact of collective action, government support, and grassroots leadership.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Val M. Cristobal reiterated DAR’s commitment to supporting rural communities beyond land distribution. “Infrastructure like this farm-to-market road is critical to making agrarian reform truly transformative. We will continue to work with our ARBOs to ensure inclusive and sustainable rural development.”

The project forms part of the government’s strategy to climate-proof and economically empower agrarian communities, aligning with the broader goals of poverty reduction and agricultural modernization in Region 2.

As the sun set on Sitio Dammang that day, the newly paved road gleamed with promise, not just of faster travel, but of a brighter, more hopeful future for the farmers who till the land.

Photos: DARPO Cagayan-Batanes

DAR leads ground-breaking for CARP-funded FMR in Santa Praxedes, Cagayan

SANTA PRAXEDS - The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Cagayan (DARPO-Cagayan) held a groundbreaking ceremony on February 18, 2025 for a new farm-to-market road (FMR) in Barangay San Juan, Santa Praxedes, Cagayan. This initiative aims to enhance the transportation of agricultural products, thereby boosting the local economy and improving the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

The project involves the construction of an almost one-kilometer concrete road that will eventually connect the farming communities of San Juan to the main highway. The FMR, which was funded with an allocation of ₱15 million from the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), is expected to be completed by June 2025. Once operational, it will significantly reduce farmers' travel time and transportation costs, facilitate easier access to larger markets, and minimize post-harvest losses.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Val M. Cristobal emphasized that the FMR aims to empower ARBs towards increased productivity and income which will eventually spur economic growth in the community.

Local farmers have expressed optimism about the project's potential impact. With this new road, harvests can be transported more efficiently, ensuring that fresher produce reaches the market. This development will undoubtedly improve the income and quality of life of ARBs in the community.

The collaboration between DAR and the local government of Santa Praxedes highlights a shared commitment to rural development. Investing in infrastructure projects like this FMR is crucial for the sustainable development of the community. It not only benefits the farmers but also stimulates local commerce and attracts potential investors.

This initiative aligns with DAR's broader mission to support agrarian reform communities (ARCs) by providing essential infrastructure that fosters economic resilience and food security. Similar projects have been implemented nationwide, such as the recent completion of farm-to-market roads in Abulug, Cagayan, which have significantly enhanced local trade and agricultural productivity. As the construction of the San Juan FMR progresses, the community eagerly anticipates the positive changes it will bring.

Farm-to-market roads (FMRs) are a regular program of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) as part of their rural development initiatives. These roads are crucial for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) as they improve access to markets, reduce transportation costs, and enhance agricultural productivity.

DAR implements FMR projects in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Local Government Unit/s (LGU) to ensure better road connectivity in agrarian reform communities (ARCs). These projects are often funded through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) or foreign-assisted programs. FMRs are part of DAR’s commitment to sustainable rural development by providing better infrastructure that supports farmers in remote and underserved areas.

Meeting about FMRs by PARPO II Val M. Cristobal with Mayor Esterlina A. Aguinaldo and MARPO Santiago Mabborang  

AGAPIT-BAVA: A National Convergence Initiative (NCI) area in Cagayan

The AGAPIT-BAVA National Convergence Initiative (NCI) area is a multi-agency rural 

development program focused on Northwestern Cagayan Province in Region II (Cagayan Valley), Philippines. The name AGAPIT-BAVA is an acronym formed from the municipalities it covers:

• AGro-forestry 

• Abundance and 

• Productivity using 

• Integrated 

• Technologies through 

• Barangay-based Agricultural

• Ventures and Advancement 

Though acronyms may vary slightly depending on specific LGU naming conventions, the core municipalities included are:

• Abulug

• Pamplona

• Claveria

• Sta. Praxedes

• Sanchez Mira

• Ballesteros

These areas are part of a strategic rural development zone under the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD), a collaboration of:

• Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)

• Department of Agriculture (DA)

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

• Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

...along with LGUs, SUCs (like Cagayan State University), and other stakeholders. 

 Objectives of AGAPIT-BAVA as a Convergence Area:

1. Sustainable agriculture and agroforestry promotion

2. Integrated natural resource management (forests, uplands, and coastal zones)

3. Infrastructure development (farm-to-market roads, irrigation, bridges)

4. Poverty reduction through support to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), fishers, and upland communities

5. Enterprise development and market linkages

Climate-resilient farming and biodiversity conservation

 Unique Features of AGAPIT-BAVA:

• Coastal and upland ecosystems – The area includes parts of the Cordillera mountain foothills and the Babuyan Channel coast, making it ideal for integrated land-sea planning.

• Diverse livelihoods – From rice and corn farming to fisheries and agroforestry.

Conservation potential – Includes ecotourism and reforestation efforts, especially in Sta. Praxedes and Claveria.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) plays a pivotal role in the AGAPIT-BAVA Convergence Area within Cagayan Province, specifically targeting the municipalities of Abulug, Pamplona, Claveria, Sta. Praxedes, and Sanchez Mira. This initiative, known as Agro-Forestry Abundance and Productivity using Integrated Technologies through Barangay-based Agricultural Ventures and Advancement (AgAPIT-BAVA), is a collaborative effort under the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD).

DAR's Roles and Activities in AGAPIT-BAVA

1. Land Tenure Improvement

   • DAR is responsible for distributing land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), ensuring secure land tenure. This empowers farmers to invest in and sustainably manage their lands, fostering long-term agricultural productivity.

2. Support Services and Infrastructure Development

   • In collaboration with other agencies, DAR facilitates the construction of farm-to-market roads and bridges, enhancing access to markets and reducing transportation costs for farmers. For instance, in Cagayan Valley, DAR allocated ₱263.8 million for infrastructure projects, including a ₱15 million road project in Cagayan. 

3. Capacity Building and Organizational Strengthening

   • DAR provides training programs aimed at enhancing the organizational and technical skills of ARBs. These include financial literacy, bookkeeping, and strategic planning, enabling ARBs to manage their cooperatives effectively and engage in entrepreneurial activities. 

4. Climate Resilience and Farm Mechanization

   • Under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program, DAR has distributed farm machinery and equipment to ARB cooperatives. In Cagayan Valley, five cooperatives received ₱2.039 million worth of machinery, including tractors and hand tractors, to enhance productivity and mitigate climate change impacts. 

5. Market Linkages and Enterprise Development

   • Through the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP), DAR connects ARB organizations with institutional buyers, ensuring stable markets for their products. This initiative contributes to food security and poverty reduction in the region.

Collaborative Framework

The success of AGAPIT-BAVA hinges on the synergy between DAR and other government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). Local Government Units (LGUs) and academic institutions like Cagayan State University (CSU) also play crucial roles in this convergence initiative. 

This integrated approach aims to address challenges in agriculture and fisheries, promote sustainable natural resource management, conserve biodiversity, and foster community development. By pooling resources and expertise, the AGAPIT-BAVA initiative seeks to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers and ensure sustainable rural development in Cagayan Province.

Land use conversion exemptions

Here’s a comprehensive list of land and project categories that are exempt from land use conversion requirements in the Philippines, along with their corresponding legal bases:

I. Exempt Lands (No DAR Conversion Clearance Required)

1. Lands Already Classified as Non-Agricultural Before June 15, 1988

• If land was zoned as residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional before the effectivity of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), it is exempt.
• Legal Basis:
  
• Section 65, RA 6657 (CARL)
• DAR Administrative Order (AO) No. 1, Series of 2002, Section III(A)

2. Lands Reclassified by LGUs Under RA 7160 (Local Government Code)

• Land reclassified from agricultural to non-agricultural by LGUs, after consultation with DAR and approval by HLURB/DHSUD, is exempt from DAR conversion, provided:
  
• The reclassification was done within the limits of LGU authority; and
• DAR was notified within 30 days.
• Legal Basis:
  
• RA 7160, Sections 20 and 447
• DAR AO No. 1, Series of 2002, Section III(C)

II. Exempt Projects (Government or BOT Initiatives)

3. Government Infrastructure Projects

Includes:

• Roads, highways, and irrigation systems
• Public schools, hospitals, and government buildings
• Transmission and communication lines
• Disaster response or resettlement programs

Exempt from conversion if:

• Implemented by a government agency or LGU
• Located on land already acquired or owned by the government
• Legal Basis:
  
• DAR AO No. 1, Series of 2002, Section III(B)
• DAR Memo Circular No. 7, Series of 201

4. Projects Under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law

• Public infrastructure is undertaken by private entities under government partnership programs.
• Includes toll roads, power plants, water systems, etc.
• Legal Basis:
  
• RA 6957, as amended by RA 7718 (BOT Law)
• DAR Memo Circular No. 18, Series of 1999

III. Other Specific Exemptions

5. Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) Housing Projects

• ARBs may use awarded lands for housing purposes under DAR guidelines.
• Conversion may not be required if housing supports agrarian reform objectives and gets DAR clearance.
• Legal Basis:
  
• DAR AO No. 5, Series of 2006

6. Ecozones, Resettlement, and Special Government-Designated Areas

• Areas legally declared as economic zones, resettlement sites, or public development projects under national legislation or executive orders may be exempt.
• Legal Basis:
  
• Special laws (e.g., PEZA Law – RA 7916), proclamations, and Presidential Decrees

Summary Table of Exemptions and Legal Bases

Exempt Category	Legal Basis
Pre-1988 Non-Agricultural Zoning	RA 6657 §65; DAR AO 01-2002, Sec. III(A)
LGU Reclassification under RA 7160	RA 7160 §§20, 447; DAR AO 01-2002, Sec. III(C)
Government Infrastructure Projects	DAR AO 01-2002, Sec. III(B); DAR Memo Circular 7-2011
BOT and PPP Projects	RA 6957 as amended by RA 7718; DAR Memo Circular 18-1999
ARB Housing	DAR AO 05-2006
Ecozones or Legally Declared Public Projects	RA 7916 (PEZA Law); other enabling laws or proclamations

DAR turns over Php15M road to LGU-Iguig

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-Region 02) turned over the concreted farm-to-market (FMR) road in favor of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iguig, Cagayan on October 4, 2012. The project costs P15,400,643.22 funded by DAR-Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (DAR-ARISP), Phase III.

Ribbon cutting: L-R: Hon. Juditas Trinidad, DAR Regional Director Atty. Marjorie Ayson-Alzate, PARO Gil Acasili and DAR ASEC  Jose Z. Grajeda. 

The DAR-ARISP III project is funded jointly by the Government of the Philippines through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It involves a tripartite approach, a collaboration among the implementing agencies. It involves construction/rehabilitation of rural infrastructure such as irrigation facilities, farm-to-market roads, post harvest facilities, and rural water supply systems, agrarian reform information and marketing center building, development of coop-managed agri-business/rural enterprise/livelihood farmers’ organizations in the Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) through appropriate training and capacity building approaches.

The P15 million farm-to-market road (4.5 kms.) at Eastern Iguig Agrarian Reform Community. 

The 4.536-kilometer Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) traverses the barangays/villages of Minanga Sur, Sta. Barbara and San Esteban, which are also the component barangays of EASTERN IGUIG AGRARIAN REFORM COMMUNITY (Eastern Iguig ARC). An Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) is a barangay at the minimum or a cluster of contiguous barangays where there is a critical mass of farmers and farm workers awaiting the full implementation of agrarian reform. The farmers and the farm workers will anchor the integrated development of the area.

MARO Arthur Urata (speaking) and DF Edgar Cordova facilitated the realiztion of this DAR-ARISP project.  

The project was facilitated mainly by the DAR Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer, MARO Arthur Urata, presently assigned at DAR Municipal Office at Iguig, Cagayan and Edgar Cordova, the Development Facilitator (DF) at DARMO-Iguig. The project was strongly supported by the Local Government of Iguig led by the Mayor Hon. Juditas Trinidad and the Vice-Mayor, Hon. Ferdinand Trinidad as head of the Municipal Council.

Iguig town mayor, Hon. Juditas Trinidad

In the province of Cagayan, Farm-to-Market Roads are some of the support services being implemented under the agrarian reform program which traditionally serves to connect rural or agricultural areas to market towns, such as Tuguegarao City, where the major markets and distribution centers are located.

DAR Regional Director Atty. Marjorie Ayson-Alzate,

          The concrete farm-to-market road will provide the community with an all-weather barangay road and will also significantly help reduce the farmers’ costs of transporting their goods and reduce the travel time to the market and trading centers.

DAR ASEC Jose Z. Grajeda.

Project beneficiaries and stakeholders. 

The turn-over ceremony was attended by no less than DAR ASEC. Jose Z. Grajeda, DAR Regional Director, Atty. Marjorie Ayson-Alzate, PARO Virgilio Acasili, Mayor Juditas Trinidad, Vice-Mayor Ferdinand Trinidad, other public officials, members of the media, farmer-beneficiaries and other stakeholders. The event was facilitated by MARO Arthur Urata. cds/mtb
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San Mariano AR Coop starts operation of Project INSPIRE

In the heart of Lal-lo, Cagayan, the San Mariano Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SMARC) stands as a beacon of resilience and innovation in the agricultural sector. Established on May 10, 2021, SMARC has been unwavering in its commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of its members through sustainable farming practices. 

​The San Mariano Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SMARC) is recognized as an Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO). This designation indicates that SMARC comprises agrarian reform beneficiaries who collaborate to enhance their agricultural productivity and livelihoods. The cooperative has been a recipient of various support initiatives from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), among others. A significant milestone in their journey is the recent inauguration of a ₱5.5 million swine facility, a project realized in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Integrated National SwineProduction Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program.

A Timely Intervention Amidst Challenges. The swine industry in the region faced a severe setback due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak, which led to substantial economic losses among local farmers. In response, the DA launched the INSPIRE program to rejuvenate the swine industry by providing essential infrastructure and support to affected communities. SMARC emerged as a key beneficiary of this initiative, receiving a state-of-the-art swine facility designed to bolster their livestock operations and promote long-term agricultural sustainability.

State-of-the-Art Facilities for Sustainable Growth. The newly inaugurated facility is equipped with advanced features aimed at enhancing productivity and ensuring biosecurity. It includes a modern piggery with a ventilation system, a biogas facility for waste management, a caretaker shower room to maintain hygiene standards, and a perimeter fence for security. These features not only aim to increase production capacity but also ensure that operations adhere to environmental and health standards, setting a benchmark for sustainable livestock farming in the region.

Community and Leadership Endorsement. The project's significance was underscored during the turnover ceremony, where National Livestock Program Deputy Director Nover Lee Calub emphasized that the initiative transcends infrastructure development. He highlighted its role in shaping the future of families and the broader community, stating, "This is not just about a facility; it's about the future of your families and the future of your community." Local leaders echoed this sentiment. Vice Mayor Maria Olivia Pascual expressed gratitude for the timely support, acknowledging its potential to mitigate the adverse effects of the ASF crisis in the region. Ricky Cabañero, chairperson of SMARC, credited the project's success to collective effort, emphasizing that it represents a shared vision for a sustainable agricultural future.

A Vision for the Future. With the support of the INSPIRE program, SMARC is poised to make a significant impact on local agricultural practices and contribute to national food security efforts. The cooperative's proactive approach serves as an inspiring model for other agrarian communities, demonstrating that through collaboration, innovation, and resilience, it is possible to overcome challenges and pave the way for a prosperous and sustainable future in agriculture. Photos: Ricky Cabanero