In the heart of Barangay Calubian, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, where the lush landscapes meet the boundless resilience of rural life, one woman stands out as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Edna G. Deypalubos, the 2024 Regional Winner of the Gawad Parangal sa Katangi-tanging Kababaihan sa Kanayunan, embodies the spirit of Filipino farmers and the transformative power of integrated farming.
With support from the Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Training Institute, Edna established the Deypalubos Rice-based Integrated Farm in 2020. This farm has since become a hub of learning and empowerment, nurturing a new generation of farmers. Through her mentorship, countless individuals have acquired not just technical knowledge, but a renewed passion for agriculture.
But Edna’s farm is more than just a classroom. It is a testament to her creativity and dedication. Alongside her verdant rice fields, a freshwater fishpond thrives, brimming with bangus and tilapia. She has also expanded into brackish water culture, raising milkfish, catfish, and mudfish in a neighboring fishpond she rents.
Her farm is alive with diversity—rows of herbs, ornamental plants, and vegetables grow alongside her livestock, which include swine, native chickens, and ducks. Every corner of her property reflects her commitment to sustainable and integrated farming, ensuring no resource goes to waste.
What sets Edna apart is her willingness to share. Her farm is not just her livelihood—it is a learning site, a destination for visitors from across the country eager to witness and learn from her holistic approach to agriculture. By embracing integrated and diversified farming, she proves that traditional methods can coexist with innovation, offering both sustainability and profitability.
For Edna, this recognition is more than a personal milestone. It is a celebration of her tireless efforts to uplift rural communities, her unwavering dedication to empowering fellow farmers, and her role as a trailblazer in sustainable agriculture.
As she humbly accepts this award, Edna Deypalubos shines as a true face of the modern Filipino farmer—a woman of the soil, a steward of the land, and a champion of change. Her story reminds us all that with hard work, ingenuity, and a heart for others, the seeds we sow today can grow into a future of abundance and hope.
