This Farmer's Prototype Garden Shows How You Can Grow Different Plants in a Small Lot
If you’ve ever dreamed of developing your own farm, chances are, you must have thought that you needed hectares of property to get started.
With permaculture, however, you can cultivate crops without the need for spending much on farmland.
“’Pag sinabi pong permaculture, isang form siya ng agriculture na kung saan mini-mimic niya po yung creation,” Al Linsangan III, owner of Coron Natural Farms, tells the OG team.
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Al explains: “Sa permaculture, gusto naming bigyan kayo ng example na you don't need that much. Ang kailangan mo 1,000 square meters lang. Sa 1,000 square meters, meron kang bahay, meron kang garden, meron kang livestock, meron kang tinatawag na 'a bit of everything'.”
The 15:30 method
Al, who grew up in Coron, Palawan, initially started Coron Natural Farms using traditional farming methods, but in 2016 transitioned to natural farming using permaculture, applying what he calls the 15:30 model. The farm has been recognized as the first farm tourism destination in Coron, Palawan, by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
“Ang Coron Natural Farms po ay isang learning site for agriculture,” Al says. “Isa po sa mga initiative ng Coron Natural Farms ay mag-develop ng mga prototypes or working models na puwede pong kopyahin o gawin ng ating mga viewers o ng ating mga kaibigan.”
Under the 15:30 approach, one can cultivate as many as 30 different plants and vegetables on 15 square meters of untouched soil.
Open pollination and the beauty of Palaweño culture
Another method that Coron Natural Farms uses is open pollination, wherein they don’t consume or use all the seeds from produce. It also allows them to save on expenses when it comes to buying seeds from suppliers.
“Sometimes, yung iba isa-sacrifice mo para siya yung gagamitin mo na susunod na binhi,” Al notes.
Another fascinating feature of Coron Natural Farms is a traditional house called tigbaboy of the Tagbanwas, an ethnic group located in north and central Palawan.
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The tigbaboy, made of natural materials such as bamboo and nipa palm, has a unique triangular shape, which Al says is resilient especially against storms.
“Sabi po ng matatanda naming Tagbanwa na kapag tuwing darating yung malakas na bagyo nung unang panahon, they have to hide sa kanilang tigbaoy or tigbaboy,” Al shares.
Always a bountiful harvest
Currently living in the tigbaboy is a Tagbanwa, Neneng, who works as a caretaker on the farm. Neneng, well-versed in the art of permaculture, shares how the farming method provides a generous harvest each time.
“Sa tuwing magtatanim po ako ay ibinubudbod ko po ito dito sa aming paligid,” Neneng says. “Ito po ay hinarvest ko para po sa susunod na mga pagtatanim ako ay dito na lang po ako kumukuha ng pananim na panibago dito sa aming paligid. Tuwing may nalalaglag diyan, hinahayaan namin. Kusa po siyang tumutubo.”
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If you’re visiting Coron anytime soon, make sure to stop by Coron Natural Farms so you can learn all about organic farming, conservation agriculture, and permaculture. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Learn more when you watch the video below:
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