Berry good!

Richard Eugenioand Mary Grace LamugOwners Enrique’s Great Mulberry Farm

” Mulberry is considered as a super fruit because of its many health benefits.”

FOR a budget-friendly fee of P100, a farm in Ilocos Norte is offering visitors the unique experience of harvesting mulberries.

Located in the rice farming village of Pasiocan in the town of Bacarra, the farm is owned by Richard Eugenio “Richie” Lamug, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who worked as an architect for five years in Dubai before settling home for good with his family.

Using a piece of land he and his siblings inherited from their parents, Lamug, together with wife Mary Grace, decided to set up a mulberry plantation in September 2023.

Named Enrique's Great Mulberry Farm after the late Lamug family patriarch, a retired police inspector who passed away in 2021, the farm became the first and largest mulberry farm in Ilocos Norte, with around 500 well-grown Illinois variety mulberries attracting curious tourists for “pick and pay” during harvest season.

Richard Eugenio and Mary Grace Lamug co-manage Enrique’s Great Mulberry Farm in Pasiocan, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. Set up in September 2023 using land inherited by Richard from his parents, the farm offers ‘pick and pay’ opportunity to visitors, and is expected to be accredited soon by the local government as a tourism site. PHOTO BY LEILANI ADRIANO VIA PNA

“Mulberry is considered as a super fruit because of its many health benefits,” Lamug said.

According to health experts, mulberries contain iron, vitamin C and compounds that help reduce cholesterol and blood sugar level, as well as lessen cancer risks. They have been used in Chinese herbal medicine to treat different ailments, although evidence of its potency is limited.

To ensure that nothing is wasted, Lamug said they also process the fruits into mulberry jam and use the extracted juice as a refreshing drink. Cuttings are also available for sale for those who want to have their own mulberry plant.

Award-winning

In the annual search for the best business concept spearheaded by the provincial government of Ilocos Norte's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Office in 2024, the farm's mulberry concentrate stood out as champion under the food category for its product innovativeness.

The Ilocos Norte government has initiated this program with cash incentives and mentoring program to encourage and inspire more MSMEs to come out with innovative products out of raw materials available in the province.

In support to promising farm enterprises such as Lamug's mulberry farm, Dina Afaga, municipal tourism officer of Bacarra, said they have started promoting the farm as one of the town's agro-tourism destination.

In partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the farm recently hosted participants of the “May-Kan: Find the Juan” in Region 1, a flagship program of the DOT Region 1 (Ilocos Region) to feature the heritage and diverse gastronomy of the Ilocos Region.

“This platform will allow travel operators to develop tour packages, further promoting sustainable tourism,” Afaga said.

To date, the farm is now on the process of securing its accreditation as a farm tourism site with more promising mulberry products to be unveiled soon.

Located near Lamug's residence, Enrique's Great Mulberry Farm is accessible to all types of vehicles and is just a 10-minute drive from downtown Laoag.

PNA

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Unique agri-tourism experience

The farm offers visitors a hands-on “pick and pay” experience for harvesting

mulberries, setting it apart.

Successful family enterprise

Founded by the Lamug family, demonstrating how a family initiative can create

a significant agricultural and tourism venture.

Focus on high-value crop

The farm specializes in mulberries, highlighting their nutritional benefits

and potential for diverse products (fruit, juice and cuttings).

Government recognition and support

The farm has received awards and ongoing support from local and national

tourism, and enterprise development agencies.

Strategic location

Its proximity to Laoag City makes it easily accessible to tourists, enhancing its potential as a destination.

Commitment to sustainability

The farm utilizes all parts of the mulberry plant, showcasing a focus on

minimizing waste and maximizing resources.

Growth and future potential

Having already become the largest mulberry farm in the region and being in the process of accreditation as a tourism site indicates significant growth and

future potential.

Diversification of income streams

The farm benefits from both agricultural sales (fruit, cuttings) and tourism

activities.