Roderick Capalongan constructed a dynamic profession in promoting, mastering mission administration, below-the-line communications, and sophisticated marketing campaign operations. However what began as a aspect hustle quickly become his true ardour—mushroom farming.
Impressed by a fellow farming fanatic, Roderick initially ventured into mushroom manufacturing to generate additional earnings for his household. Nevertheless, what started as a small mission quickly grew to become his full-time calling.
In 2014, he left promoting behind to develop mushrooms on a 2-hectare farmland he inherited from his grandfather. Roderick named his personal farm “Mushroom Man” and used recycled agricultural waste, reminiscent of rice straw, as substrate to develop oyster mushrooms.
As demand grew, so did Roderick’s need to scale up the enterprise. In 2016, he discovered a dependable associate in Land Financial institution of the Philippines (LANDBANK) which stepped in with an preliminary mortgage of P300,000.00, giving Roderick the increase he wanted to increase his operations.
“Salamat sa LANDBANK dahil palagi silang handang sumuporta sa akin at sa initiatives ko. Sa tulong nila, nakapagpatayo ako ng services at nakapag-expand ng farm ko,” stated Roderick.
Through the years, LANDBANK has prolonged a complete of P6.25 million to assist Roderick’s mushroom manufacturing, which lined the acquisition of kit and the development of mushroom housing, and even the enlargement to tilapia and catfish manufacturing.
The Mushroom Man at the moment delivers contemporary produce day by day to market shops in Nueva Vizcaya and Manila, in addition to within the provinces of Isabela, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite and Cagayan Valley.
Innovation meets sustainability
Roderick adopted an built-in farming enterprise mannequin that mixes mushroom manufacturing with tilapia fish farming to reduce farm waste, cut back operational prices, and promote useful resource effectivity.
Certainly one of his sustainable farm strategies contain recycling mushroom spent—a byproduct of his mushroom manufacturing—to domesticate duckweeds as an alternative choice to synthetic business fish feeds.
This recycling follow diminished the price of his tilapia manufacturing by half and considerably elevated his earnings.
“Sa panahon ngayon, tumataas na ang presyo ng farm inputs, tulad ng tilapia feeds. Kaya kailangan maging resourceful para gumanda ang kita,” stated Roderick.
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, Roderick additionally expanded his product line to incorporate processed mushroom merchandise, which embody siomai, crispy mushroom, mushroom unfold, and chili paste, alongside natural fertilizers.
A trailblazer in mushroom and built-in farming
In recognition of his modern practices and contributions to the native mushroom trade, LANDBANK conferred to Roderick the “Ulirang Magsasaka – Particular Award for Built-in Farming” on the Financial institution’s Fashions of Excellence Recognition Initiative for High Financial institution Shoppers (MERIT) Awards.
The MERIT Awards celebrated the Financial institution’s prime growth companions within the supply of important monetary and assist companies in native communities nationwide.
Roderick’s farm has change into the mannequin mushroom farm in Nueva Vizcaya, attracting native and overseas guests, together with college students, cooperatives and associations, to study from his experience about mushroom and built-in farming.
Nationwide companies like Division of Science and Expertise (DOST), Division of Agriculture (DA), Division of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and state universities additionally work carefully with the farm to advertise sustainable farming practices and improve agricultural schooling.
Wanting forward, Roderick plans to construct a farm faculty to coach aspiring agri-entrepreneurs in mushroom manufacturing and elevate Nueva Vizcaya as a hub for oyster mushroom manufacturing.
He likewise plans to coach overseas to refine his expertise and study finest international practices to assist increase the native trade.
“We’re planning to coach sa ibang bansa para mag-uwi ng superior know-how at matuto ng trendy practices for mushroom manufacturing. Naniniwala ako na kaya natin magkaroon ng globally aggressive mushroom trade,” stated Roderick.
A Journey from Campaigns to Cultivation
Roderick Capalongan’s journey from the promoting world to agriculture is a testomony to his adaptability to embrace change and keenness to pursue his calling. With LANDBANK as his trusted associate, he continues to thrive—proving that success grows the place ardour and innovation meet.
Via partnerships like these, LANDBANK is empowering farmers and Filipinos nationwide for a greater future.
About LANDBANK
LANDBANK is the biggest growth monetary establishment within the Philippines with the biggest portfolio in assist of agriculture, fisheries, and rural growth. Selling monetary inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable nationwide growth, the Financial institution is current in all 82 provinces within the county and is dedicated to supply accessible and responsive monetary options to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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