Redefining farming

Christian Humphrey Lapeciros Agriculturist

“Farming is really hard, and we still have a stigma that if you don’t study hard, you’ll become a farmer.”

CHRISTIAN Humphrey Lapeciros, a young farmer from Paranas, Samar, witnessed the harsh realities of farm life — days under the scorching sun, unpredictable harvests and the perception that farming was a dead-end profession.

“Mahirap talaga ang pagsasaka, tapos may stigma pa tayo na kapag hindi ka mag-aral ng mabuti, magiging magsasaka ka (Farming is really hard, and we still have a stigma that if you don’t study hard, you’ll become a farmer),” he recalled.

He added that his childhood friends and cousins were reluctant to enter the agricultural sector, with many leaving to work as construction workers, call center agents, or moving to Manila to look for the proverbial greener pasture. For them, farming was a sign of failure rather than success, often associated with poverty or a lack of educational achievement.

Lapeciros’ claims align with findings from a 2020 research by anthropologist Florencia Palis, which revealed that Filipino rice farmers are aging and often discourage their children from following in their footsteps due to physical, psychological and financial challenges.

Additionally, rice farming is labor- and capital-intensive, with low and uncertain incomes, making it a last resort for many. As a result, these parents hope their children will seek nonfarm jobs in urban areas or abroad for better stability and to escape poverty.

“Nakikita talaga na isa itong katotohanan na kumakaunti na lang ang nagkaka-interes sa pagsasaka. Kung hindi ako ang papasok, sino? (It’s really clear that fewer people are interested in farming. If I’m not the one to get involved, who will?),” Lapeciros said.

Driven by this reality, Lapeciros made a choice: he pursued a degree in Agribusiness at Visayas State University (VSU), graduating magna cum laude in 2024. He studied not to escape farming, but to redefine the farming narrative in Samar.

“So, ‘yan ang naging inspirasyon ko upang tahakin ang kursong BS Agribusiness, upang patunayan hindi lamang sa komunidad, kundi patunayan na rin sa sarili ko na may pera sa agrikultura at maraming oportunidad ang naghihintay sa ganitong larangan (So, that was my inspiration to pursue the BS Agribusiness course, to prove not only to the community but also to myself that there is money in agriculture and that many opportunities are waiting in this field),” he explained, highlighting that for him, education was not an escape from farming — it was the key to elevating it.

Through his recent initiative, Project Faith (Food Always In The House), he has transformed his community and is shaping the future of agriculture. His hard work has secured him a place in the regional selection for the 2024 Young Farmer Challenge (YFC) program in the Department of Agriculture (DA) startup production category.

Project Faith began during the Covid-19 pandemic as a family initiative for food security and has evolved into a community empowerment effort. It focuses on upgraded native chicken farming, involving a crossbreeding of Parawakan Native Chicken and Black Australorp to produce resilient, fast-growing and high-yield poultry.

“Nakitaan namin ng potential ang Project Faith, pwede siya maging adbokasiya at ibahagi sa komunidad upang makatulong at makapagbigay ng hanapbuhay para sa ibang pamilya sa Samar (We saw the potential of Project Faith; it can be an advocacy and shared with the community to help and provide employment for other families in Samar),” he said.

Lapeciros aims to incubate 150 eggs weekly, targeting an 80-percent hatching rate. The eggs hatch every 21 days and are then transferred to the brooder house for a month.

The farm now focuses on producing day-old and three-month-old upgraded native chickens, which are sold to backyard raisers and aspiring farmers, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The cycle repeats with new incubation. Prices are P100 for day-old to week-old chicks and P300 per kilo for three-month-old upgraded native chickens.

His farm project stands out for its mission to uplift marginalized individuals, including former rebels, drug users, parolees, violence survivors and out-of-school youth.

Through training and resource support, Lapeciros helps them not only receive aid but also become part of a sustainable agriculture ecosystem.

“Binibigyan naming sila ng oportunidad na maging produktibong miyembro ng komunidad, makapag-hanapbuhay sa pagpaparami nang upgraded native chicken (We’re giving them the opportunity to become productive members of the community, earning a living by breeding upgraded native chickens),” he said.

Christian Humphrey Lapeciros pursues a degree in Agribusiness at the Visayas State University, graduating magna cum laude in 2024. He studied not to escape farming, but to redefine the farming narrative in Samar. Contributed photos

He reported that the project benefited about 500 individuals from Jiabong, Paranas, San Jose de Buan, Tagapul-an, Calbiga, Catbalogan City and Matuguinao, Samar.

“Ang Project Faith ay napaka gandang proyekto lalong-lalo sa katulad kung may hilig sa pagmamanok. Natulungan ako nitong palaguin ang aking manokan, at kung paanong pamamaraan ang dapat kong gawin sa aking manokan. Nakatulong din ito sa aming komunidad para mahikayat ang mga kabataan na pumasok din sa ganitong larangan at mailayo ang kanilang interes sa mga masasamang gawain o bisyo (Project Faith is a very good project, especially for those interested in chicken farming. It helped me grow my chicken farm and taught me how I should manage it. It also helped our community encourage young people to enter this field and keep their interest away from bad activities or vices),” said Ronel Llano, a beneficiary of the project from Jiabong, Samar.

Lapeciros’ early challenges in chicken breeding, marked by high mortality rates, were addressed with guidance from his former VSU professors and DA technical staff, leading to improved methods and a stronger business model.

“Remember that farming is not just about cultivating crops. Don’t be afraid to take risks and challenges. Every seed you plant, every crop you harvest and every decision you make has the potential to create positive change,” said Francisco Rosaroso, chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8, during the Enterprise Development Training.

With funds earned from the provincial (P80,000) and regional (P150,000) levels of the YFC program, Lapeciros has expanded his farm’s infrastructure by building breeder houses, incubators, brooder houses and a 400-meter free-range grazing area. He also plans to build a feed and concoction formulation room, and a water system, and purchase an electric generator, adding more production to the farm.

“Sa budget na nakuha ko sa Young Farmers Challenge, mas napaganda ang produksyon at mas madali na naming na mo-monitor ang aming manokan (With the budget I got from the Young Farmers Challenge, production has improved, and it is now easier for us to monitor our chicken farm),” he expressed.

Lapeciros’ next big dream is the Project Faith Farm-to-Table Kitchenette, a social enterprise that will serve dishes made from locally raised native chickens by his beneficiaries. He acknowledged the support of the DA, VSU and the Samar Police Provincial Office, who trusted in him as a visionary youth farmer and contributed to his achievements.

A visionary youth farmer like Christian Lapeciros is changing the narrative around farming by combining academic excellence, grassroots empathy and entrepreneurial vision. With Project Faith, he proves agriculture can be dignified and profitable, raising hope and empowering a new generation of farmers. PIA

Key takeaways

– Challenging the stigma of farming: Christian Lapeciros directly confronts the negative perception that farming is a profession of last resort. His story proves that with education and a business mindset, agriculture can be a dignified, profitable and respected career path for the youth.

– Education as a tool for agricultural innovation: Rather than seeing education as an escape from farming, Lapeciros used his Agribusiness degree to revolutionize it. He leveraged academic knowledge to develop a more resilient and profitable chicken farming model, highlighting the importance of formal education in modernizing the agricultural sector.

– Empowering the marginalized through agri-entrepreneurship: Project Faith is not just a business; it’s a social enterprise. By focusing on training and providing resources to marginalized individuals like former rebels, drug users and out-of-school youth, Lapeciros demonstrates how farming can serve as a powerful tool for community rehabilitation and economic empowerment.

– The crucial role of government support: The Department of Agriculture’s Young Farmer Challenge program was a vital catalyst for Lapeciros’ success. The financial grants (P80,000 and P150,000) allowed him to build essential infrastructure, scale up production and improve farm monitoring, proving that government backing is essential for young agri-entrepreneurs.

– Visionary leadership and sustainable growth: Lapeciros’ vision extends beyond his farm’s borders. His plans for a “Project Faith Farm-to-Table Kitchenette” show a commitment to creating a sustainable, value-added ecosystem. This approach creates more income opportunities for his beneficiaries and solidifies the project’s long-term impact on the community.

Mentorship and collaboration: Lapeciros’ ability to overcome early challenges, such as high chicken mortality rates, was a result of seeking guidance from his former VSU professors and DA staff. This underscores the importance of mentorship and collaborative networks in developing a successful business model.