MAKILALA, Cotabato Province — A single sweet orange seedling entrusted to Hernan Cordero more than two decades ago was all it took to root a lifelong career in agriculture.
Today, that solitary plant has expanded into a 6.7-hectare diversified farm, exemplifying how perseverance, continuous learning, and strategic partnerships can transform a modest opportunity into a thriving agricultural enterprise.
Before owning a farm, Cordero worked as a propagator in a Davao City plant nursery. There, he learned the trade under his mentor, the late Alfredo Rivera.
"My boss told me: 'Plant this. Take care of it because it is known as the sweet orange,'" Cordero said. "He was the one who inspired us to establish a nursery and showed us that we could supply planting materials to the government."
Starting on just one hectare, Cordero gradually built his orchard and nursery. Today, four hectares are dedicated to sweet oranges and over one hectare to durian, alongside crops of coconut and jackfruit, a fishpond, and native livestock.
His nursery supplies planting materials to regional farmers—including one family now harvesting 200 metric tons of durian from his stock—and creates seasonal jobs for local residents.
Cordero attributes much of his scaling success to his partnership with the Department of Agriculture. Through government programs, he attended trainings across the country, adopting eco-friendly solutions like Trichoderma, a beneficial fungus that improves soil health.
About 40% of his operations now use organic practices, with a long-term goal of producing fully organic durian.
The DA also provided market linkages, enabling Cordero to display his produce at major events, including the 17th Philippine Food Expo in Pasay in April 2025.
Financed by farm proceeds, Cordero funded his children’s higher education and built a stable future. Looking ahead, he aims to upgrade his farm’s irrigation system.
"I believe we will continue to move forward," Cordero said. "There is still progress ahead."
0 Comments