AEOA Communities

05/05/2026

The Philippines and the world are battling a double-edged sword: a volatile global market making farming inputs unaffordable, and an intensifying El Niño threatening our food source from the roots up. This isn't just an economic statistic—it’s a kitchen-table crisis.

We must shift our vulnerable communities away from expensive, imported chemical dependencies and toward community-driven, regenerative practices. While this work happens on the ground, we also call for legislation and good governance to protect our people. It is time for the government to intervene and help communities survive this global fatigue.

27/04/2026

27/04/2026

Our country has suffered so much—system failures, patronage politics, and rising fuel costs driven by geopolitical tensions. These are powerful forces that shape how our economy rises and falls, and how people respond to it. But what if the wrath of nature turns out to be the biggest challenge of all? When I say “biggest,” I’m not referring to a typical El Niño event. What’s possible is something more extreme—the so-called Super El Niño.

A “Super El Niño” refers to an unusually strong warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean—typically more than 2°C above average—which significantly disrupts global weather patterns. Instead of normal seasonal conditions, it brings prolonged droughts, extreme heat, and erratic rainfall across many regions.

In the Philippines, this translates to severe agricultural stress. Rainfall can drop drastically, leading to reduced water availability for irrigation and lower reservoir levels. As a result, farmers face delayed planting, reduced cropping areas, and a higher risk of crop failure. Major staples such as rice and corn are particularly vulnerable, with studies showing that strong El Niño events can reduce rice yields by up to around 20% due to heat stress and lack of water.

Livestock and fisheries are also affected, as high temperatures reduce animal productivity and water quality deteriorates in fishponds. These combined effects lead to lower food production, higher input costs, and ultimately rising food prices—placing pressure on both farmers and consumers.

The impact of a Super El Niño becomes even more complex on a global scale. This phenomenon creates contrasting climate extremes across regions. While Southeast Asia and parts of Africa experience drought and declining crop yields, parts of the Americas may face excessive rainfall and flooding, damaging crops such as corn and soybeans. This simultaneous disruption across major agricultural zones affects the global food supply chain, often resulting in tighter supply and higher commodity prices.

Water scarcity and rising energy costs can also limit fertilizer production and use, further reducing agricultural productivity worldwide. Unlike a regular El Niño, a Super El Niño creates system-wide stress on agriculture, exposing vulnerabilities in both local and global food systems.

The country must urgently strengthen irrigation systems, promote climate-resilient farming practices, and reinforce agricultural support systems. On a global level, this underscores the need to build more resilient and adaptive food systems capable of withstanding extreme climate events.

23/04/2026

Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz may feel far from home. However, the impact hits closer than we think.

This narrow shipping route carries a large portion of the world’s oil and fertilizer supply. When movement slows or becomes unstable, fuel prices increase.

It directly raises the cost of farming in the Philippines. From irrigation and mechanization to transport and post-harvest handling, higher fuel costs ripple across the entire agricultural system.

It doesn’t stop there. Fertilizer prices also rise, making it more expensive for farmers to produce crops like corn, rice, and vegetables. That increase eventually shows up in food prices—affecting both producers and consumers.

For a country that relies on imported fuel and agricultural inputs, global disruptions like this highlight one thing: the need for stronger, more resilient local systems. Efficient logistics, alternative energy in agriculture, and smarter input use are no longer optional—they’re necessary.

Understanding these connections helps us prepare better, respond faster, and protect both farmers and food security.

04/01/2026

01/01/2026

Pagbibigay pugay sa unang araw ng taon, sa mga taong unang gumising, bumangon, nagtanim, nag-ani at naghanda nito.

03/12/2025

03/12/2025

THE FARMER WHO NEVER STOPPED LEARNING: NOW A LICENSED AGRICULTURIST AT 71

For Diosdado G. Evangelista, Jr. of Barangay West, Candoni, Negros Occidental, learning never had an age limit. In 2019, at 65 years old, he returned to school determined to pursue a college diploma—a goal he believed would strengthen his confidence, enrich his knowledge, and keep his mind active. Inspired by the words of Henry Ford, “Anyone who keeps learning stays young,” Evangelista embraced education as his next great harvest, even after decades of working the land he inherited from his father.

A farmer since his youth, he had once dreamed of becoming a Mechanical Engineer. But when his father instead enrolled him in a vocational auto mechanic course, he set aside his personal aspirations and took the path available to him. After completing the course and attempting to practice the trade, he found himself returning to their farmland due to the lack of tools necessary for mechanical work. Over the years, he devoted 10 hectares of his land to endangered and endemic trees like apitong and narra, five hectares to rice and sugarcane, and another five hectares to cacao, gabi, and ginger—all grown using his own homemade organic fertilizers. From selling gabi, ginger, and cacao seedlings, he funded his allowance as a senior student.

Evangelista’s decision to go back to school surprised his family at first, as they questioned if it was still practical at his age. Yet he remained firm, determined to experience the same accomplishment his five siblings and four college-educated children had achieved. Soon, he enrolled at the Candoni Campus of the Central Philippines State University (CPSU), where he became the campus’ oldest student. His true passion was to earn a degree in Crop Science, but because the Candoni Campus lacked the space to offer agricultural programs, he pursued a course leading to a Bachelor’s Degree in Education instead. Still, his dedication to agriculture remained, even prompting him to plan the donation of around five hectares of his land to help CPSU eventually open more agri-related courses in Candoni. The proposal later entered formal documentation and awaits government approval.

CPSU administrators acknowledged that many Candoni residents—whether pregnant women, married students, out-of-school youth, or senior citizens—face significant challenges in accessing higher education due to the town’s remote location. Recognizing this, CPSU expanded opportunities through free tuition under Republic Act 10931 and by offering community-based training in agricultural skills. Their goal was to bring education directly to families who previously had no means to travel to major campuses. For Evangelista and many others, this allowed learning to become part of their lives regardless of age, circumstance, or economic standing.

The school leadership emphasized that senior citizens in particular benefit from structured learning, which keeps them mentally active, socially engaged, and aware of their personal potential. Evangelista embodied this vision fully: a farmer who wanted more than a livelihood—he wanted growth, fulfillment, and the chance to be a role model in his community. In Candoni, his story uplifted not only fellow elders but also younger residents, reminding them to seize the educational opportunities available to them today.

Although agricultural courses remain unavailable at the Candoni Campus due to limited space, CPSU continues to serve farming communities by offering extension programs and specialized training, ensuring that local residents, including Evangelista, receive relevant support in their chosen fields. And while the campus awaits expansion, Evangelista’s commitment and proposed land donation demonstrate how local initiatives can help shape a future where quality agricultural education becomes accessible in rural areas.

Fast forward to 2025, and Evangelista’s journey finds its most inspiring milestone yet. Congratulations, Tatay Diosdado! 🤍🌾 After returning to school at 65, he continued his studies with determination and perseverance. Now, at 71 years old, he has successfully passed the November 2025 Agriculturist Licensure Examination (ALE)—turning his long-awaited dream into a reality and proving that it is never too late to pursue growth, knowledge, and purpose.

This story originally appeared on Agriculture Online by Manila Bulletin. Graphics and edits by Destination PH. This appeared in Agriculture Monthly’s February 2019 issue.

08/11/2025