Having migrated from Ilocos to Ifugao, Joseph had no experience whatsoever because he is a commerce and combustion engineer undergraduate.
According to Gerry Banawa, regional corn coordinator, Joseph was chosen as National Quality Corn Farmer winner due to his wide area of corn plantation; with 12 hectares in Busilac and four hectares in Sta. Maria, and other vegetable crops such as sitao, squash, eggplant, tomato and rice which is for home consumption. He also raises livestock and poultry.
Joseph used the Bioseed, Pioneer corn seed brands which are resistant to insect pests and corn borers, weed resistant and yields much more than other brands.
Joseph personally attends to his crops. Due to his income in corn farming, he was able to acquire farm equipment namely threshers, dryers, and tractors. He also built a warehouse where he puts his harvested corn ready for postharvest activities.
Joseph revealed that in his 10 years in farming corn, he experiences losses when typhoons occur, but normally he has a P7,000 to P8,000 return on investment, while his average expense is P35,000 per hectare.
He likewise tried to plant the Bt Corn which gave him higher yield. The Bt Corn has undergone biotechnology procedures. It is a corn variety which is resistant to all corn pests especially the corn borer and weeds.
One thing which made Joseph exceptional is his willingness to try all the new technologies and interventions given by the Department of Agriculture (DA) which made his corn production better.
One is the use of Bio-N which is a very effective nitrogen fixing agent and the proper use of organic fertilizer, chicken dung and in combination with commercial fertilizers.
Joseph said he harvests 140 to 150 sacks of corn seeds per hectare per planting season.
He admitted with the high buying price of corn, he had acquired farmlands from his corn production activities including a business enterprise being managed by his wife.
He is a well-rounded individual, being a religious church leader; Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council Chairman of Ifugao; Regional Corn Cluster Officer; and treasurer of the Market Vendors Association in Alfonso Lista.
Joseph is a person with strong determination and willingness to learn which easily made him the National Awardee.
By being this year's national winner, Benemerito will receive P50,000 as cash prize and a trophy to be awarded on November 20 at the DA Central office.
