Kawa-Kawa Hill, KOPPA Farm and ATI Learning Site in Bicol

Bicol is known for its beautiful sceneries and delicious spicy food. Sightseeing in Daraga, visiting the Cagsawa Ruins for a perfect view of Mayon volcano and cruising at Sumlang lake. These are just few of the many things to do in Bicol. Another interesting destination is the Kawa-Kawa Nature Park in Ligao. The park is surrounded with organic plantation spearheaded by KOPPA farmers.

Kawa-Kawa Hills is located in Tuburan, Ligao City, 2 kilometers from the heart of the city. Kawa-kawa park features huge statues of the 14 stations of the cross. To view this nature beauty, you will enjoy a leisure walk to reach Kawa-Kawa hilltop. We were supposed to visit Kawa-Kawa but it was raining hard when we arrived in Ligao. 

KOPPA and ATI Learning Site

The Kawa-kawa Organic Planters Processors Association (KOPPA) nurtures a farm which has been converted a learning site of ATI. Farmers' field schools are being conducted here as experts and farmers share thoughts and experiences in farming.

Dexter Mendoza

with Michael Villezar and Dexter Mendoza

my cowgirl outfit from Wear Mossimo :)

OA Bloggers and ATI friends

KOPPA farm is a 12 hectare farm maintained by the city LGU. It is home to organic products and practices. Farmers and those who are interested in farming should inquire about the KOPPA's hand-on classes, training and modules. 

KOPPA farm practices what they call "communal garden". This means that crops are shared by members of the community. In fact, anyone can come here and ask for produce especially those who are in need and the less fortunate. They are also invited to join in the training courses and learn the benefits of organic farming.

We met some of the members or KOPPA lead by Dexter Mendoza. Gino Morillo and Cheryl Requisa gave us a brief introduction about the farm.

Organic Eggplant

Growing Organic Lettuce

vermicast

Just like other organic farms we visited, KOPPA promotes integrated and diversified organic farming system. The grow African Night Crawler, a farmer's companion that works 24 hours, 7 days a week. The worm's manure (vermicast) are used as a fertilizer to the crops.

How to make Natural Insect Attractant and Oriental Herbal Nutrients

Major crops at Kawa-kawa are cacao, pili, sweet potato, sunflower, strawberries, lettuce and different types of herbs.

Agricultural Training Institute Central Office

ATI Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman

Quezon City 1100 Philippines

Trunkline: (63-2) 9298541 to 49

Fax no. (63-2) 9209792

http://ati.da.gov.ph/

Here's a photo taken with a pili tree, "the next tree of life". Our farm tour in Bicol region has taught me additional information on organic farming. It's nice to know that Bicol's finest such as pili and cacao are still abundant in the region. We missed the Kawa-Kawa hilltop tour but I will definitely come back, maybe this summer 2018. Until next farm tour. I hope you'll visit other featured farms - Sonrisa, Dacara, and Kalikasan Organic Farm.