Gerry’s thrill

Lessons from Dumingag's Thrill Building Sustainable Agriculture

As professionals in epidemiology, we can learn valuable lessons from Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, which is striving to become the Organic Capital of the Philippines. Under the visionary leadership of Mayor Gerry Paglinawan, this town has embarked on a journey to pivot toward high-yield, low-cost organic practices. Here are 5 key takeaways

Lesson 1 Setting Ambitious Goals
Dumingag's pursuit of being the Organic Capital serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of setting ambitious goals and committing to sustainable development. This commitment can drive positive change in communities and inspire others to follow suit.

Lesson 2 Visionary Leadership
Mayor Paglinawan's dedication to sustainable agriculture is truly inspiring, demonstrating that visionary leadership can have a profound impact on communities. His commitment to this cause serves as a shining example of the difference that effective leadership can make.

Lesson 3 Learning from Others
The mayor's experience in Vietnam, which influenced his commitment to organic farming, highlights the value of learning from others and adapting best practices to local contexts. This approach allows for the incorporation of innovative ideas and techniques, ultimately leading to more effective sustainable agriculture initiatives.

Lesson 4 Empowering Communities
Mayor Paglinawan's emphasis on freedom of choice for farmers underscores the importance of empowering communities and allowing them to make informed decisions about their agricultural practices. By giving farmers the autonomy to choose their own path, we can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to more sustainable outcomes.

Lesson 5 Supporting Initiatives
The provision of resources, infrastructure, and skill transfer initiatives in Dumingag highlights the need for support systems that enable sustainable agriculture practices to thrive. By providing the necessary tools and expertise, we can help ensure the success of these initiatives and promote long-term sustainability.

Through Dumingag's journey, we are reminded of the importance of setting ambitious goals, embracing visionary leadership, learning from others, empowering communities, and supporting initiatives in building a more sustainable future for agriculture.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.