Yolanda Riguer of Munting Paraiso ni Yoly converted to organic farming after realizing the health benefits it offers at a time when her husband fell sick, and discovered it was clean and good food that helped him recover. Health is still wealth, and she believes the community can truly benefit from organic farming. Munting Paraiso ni Yoly currently caters to two organizations: Sta. Cruz Farmers Association and Bulacan Association of Natural Farming. She has also extended her advocacy to Angat, Bulacan with the intention of helping farmers improve their income beyond the conventional way of farming. She hopes farmers will realize “hindi pala mahirap mag-organikong pagsasaka (organic farming is not difficult).”
Through Farmers’ Produce, a collaboration between SM, the Department of Agriculture and RestoPH, she gets to connect with other members of the farming community, resulting in wider exposure for her farm. She is proud of her farm’s products especially the organic rice, which comes in three different colors. With lesser sugar content compared to others, her farm’s produce is packed with health benefits. She understands that this is a growing trend among restaurants. As she plans to expand further, “Mahalagang-mahalaga po itong market na ‘to sa pagpapaunlad sa organikong pagsasaka (This market is very important in bringing more attention to organic farming).”
