Benzone Kennedy F. Sepe needs no introduction. He is the Filipino counterpart of Johnny Appleseed (whose real name is John Chapman), an American pioneer nurseryman known for introducing apple trees cultivated from seeds rather than those propagated through grafting.
Benzone is credited with bringing apple cultivation to the Philippines. His inquisitive nature led him to discover that temperate apples can indeed thrive in tropical regions such as the Philippines.
As a child, he often pondered why he had never seen an apple tree in his hometown of Digos, Davao del Sur. He had observed various other fruit trees that adorned their tables during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
It was during his high school years that he discovered the truth. He decided to experiment with three seeds from an apple he bought at the public market. To his surprise, they sprouted, but only one seedling survived. He planted this seedling in their backyard.
To make the long story short, it bore several fruits. Based on this experience, he began to cultivate various exotic fruits. I think I have over 30 different varieties of fruit growing,” he remarked. “It’s a blend of tropical and temperate fruits, as I aimed to combine fruits from both tropical and temperate regions.”
Among the fruits he can recall, those flourishing on his farm include atemoya, blackberry, blueberry, cherimoya, cherry, fig, grapes, guava, guyabano, Hass avocado, jaboticaba, jackfruit, kiwi, lime, mango, mulberry, olive, orange, peach, pear, persimmon, plum, pomegranate, raspberry, and strawberry.
As part of his income stream, he sells planting materials for these fruits. Naturally, the apple planting materials remain the top seller. “Visitors to our farm are often surprised to find apples and other exotic fruits actually bearing fruits,” he remarks.
Recently, he has incorporated vegetables as an additional revenue source. “Given that our farm is classified as a diversified farm, I decided to grow a combination of fruit trees and vegetables,” he explains.
Time is also a crucial factor in implementing this idea. “While waiting for the fruits to be productive, I grow vegetables as my cash crops to ensure a steady income, provided the vegetable prices are favorable,” he states.
Rather than cultivating traditional vegetables, he opts for high-value crops or agricultural products that provide greater returns on investment due to market demand. “They are considered as cash crops,” he says. “When the price is favorable during the harvest, it becomes easier to generate income.”
Among the vegetables he cultivates are cabbages, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and Chinese cabbages. In addition, he grows root crops such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and potatoes, along with various herbs.
Benzone states that he has never faced any issues related to the cultivation of these crops. “My parents used to grow vegetables in our backyard when we were kids,” he remarks. “During my elementary years, I began growing vegetables myself.”
As he is also growing apples and fruit trees on his farms, which cover approximately two hectares in total (located in sitio Balatikan and Marawer, a few kilometers from his farm in Kapatagan Digos City Davao del Sur), he grows vegetables, root crops, and herbs as understorey crops.
“I need to maximize the use of those open spaces profitably,” he explains. He also observes that weeds tend to thrive if no crops are planted beneath the fruit trees.
Benzone buys the vegetable seeds from agricultural shops in Digos City, located approximately 30 kilometers from his farm. “I choose the best seeds for my farm,” he says.
To ensure a good harvest, he applies commercial fertilizers (like Triple 16, Triple 14 and other combinations) every 15 days. Additionally, he uses organic fertilizer, which he purchases from agricultural stores. “I also make my own organic spray, particularly foliar types such as fermented fruit juice and fish amino acids,” he notes.
Like most farmers, he views pests and diseases as the biggest problems in vegetable production. “I use pesticides in the correct dosage since there are some pests and diseases that are hard to control and eradicate,” he admits.
Benzone further points out that unpredictable weather conditions, including persistent rain and drought, significantly impact his crops.
He does not grow various vegetables at the same time. “I typically research which crops are appropriate for my region before I actually plant them,” he says. “It is essential for me to determine if they are compatible with my soil and whether they can thrive beneath the fruit trees.”
He conducts his research through reading books. Agricultural magazines serve as valuable sources of information, along with those available online.
In general, he harvests his vegetables every three to four months. He employs between 5 to 10 individuals to assist him in harvesting the crops. If the volume of produce is excessive, the workforce may increase to as many as 15 people.
Benzone encounters no difficulties in marketing, as there are buyers who visit the farm to purchase the produce. Occasionally, he personally delivers the vegetables to the public market, where customers are awaiting their arrival.
The challenge he faces when transporting his farm produce to the market is the unpaved farm-to-market road. During the rainy season, this road becomes muddy, resulting in delays in getting them to the market.
Another issue he faces is the pricing. He cites tomatoes, for example. The cost of a single crate weighing 27 kilograms is merely P150. The price for the crate itself is P60, which does not account for labor and transportation expenses. Ultimately, there is nothing remaining.
“There are times when the market is flooded with the same crop, leading to a decrease in price,” he decries.
He does not encounter any difficulties in growing vegetables beneath the apple and other fruit trees. “In fact, it is more advantageous since the fertilizer I apply to the vegetables also benefits the fruit trees as they are grown together,” he says.
While the vegetables currently provide his primary source of income, he is confident that vegetable farming remains a lucrative opportunity. “This can only be achieved if there are both price floors and price ceilings for our agricultural products,” he points out. “In addition, there must be price regulation for agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and chemicals.”
Benzone further recommends that the farm-to-market road be paved with cement “to facilitate easier access to the market.”
