[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’10’ heading=’ URBAN FARMER | Sheer determination and diligence can lead to success’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=”]
BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
Friday, June 2, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
A SOYA cultivator, who is also processing his crop, has started to gain recognition for his modest but valuable contribution to the local food industry.
Gadmer G. Layson, or “Mer” as he is fondly called, was first cited as one of the finalists in the 2016 TOFARM Awards, and recently, one of the finalists in the 2017 Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) Innovation Awards.
During the 2016 TOFARM ceremonies, Mer was awarded as one of the Most Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines in Agri-Entrepreneur category.
For the 2017 BCYF Innovation Awards, he was among the 11 finalists, and following the rigid interview and validation of the finalists, he was among the seven of those who survived for the different categories on agricultural innovation.
According to Mer, these achievements would not have been possible without the support of his family, including the assistance extended to him by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and Bureau of Agricultural Research of the Department of Agriculture (BAR-DA).
But Mer and his wife Mary Ann have to encounter a rough journey before they were able to establish their business as soya cultivator and soybean processor.
In September 2013, they started their KKK project with just a modest capital, and after completing a training session initiated by PhilMech, in partnership with the Pampanga office of the DA-Agricultural Training Institute.
This was the start of their business as processors of soya milk, soya coffee, and soya ice candy under the KKK brand name.
The couple can produce the products steadily because they now have a source of raw materials – from their own farm at Sitio Minangan, Barangay San Patricio in Mexico, Pampanga, which they call Layson Farms.
From their two-hectare farm, they organically produce about 120 sacks of soybeans per cropping – enough to supply the needs of the couple’s KKK venture.
During the initial months of their venture, they just peddled their products by foot – going around the neighborhood and in the nearby areas of Paco, Manila.
But above everything else, Mer says he owes his success to God, adding that he never fails to pray and to thank God each day.
Mer also said that without the timely assistance of PhilMech, they would not have the equipment they needed to produce soya milk and soya coffee, and now soya ice candy.
When asked as to why they have chosen to produce the products, Mer says that soya milk is a healthy alternative to other milk products like ice cream, especially when refrigerated to a desired temperature.
He says that soya milk is an ideal source of complete protein, and has the same amount of protein as cow’s milk which can replace animal protein and other sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Mer is continuously conducting free livelihood opportunity seminars where entrepreneurship and development programs are shared and discussed.
For those who would like to participate in the seminars, you may get in touch with Mer Layson through cellular phone number 09178675197. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
