Problem: the Covid 19 pandemic resulted not only in the loss of a good-paying salaried job but also in the loss of all savings due to the hospital costs of a family member. What does this young man do?
Outcomes: The young man along with his mother determined to grow vegetables on the small land area owned by the family with financial loans from SPSI’s partner in Negros the Philippines. As a result, amazing crops sold at good prices. All 3 loans repaid and the family back in a good financial position as well as helping neighboring families giving them daily labor opportunities.
Chavez Cañal is a 32-year old former Business Process Outsourcing representative who went home when the pandemic started. At home in Compound, Barangay Pula, Canlaon City, he was about to help his parents grow vegetables using his small savings. At the same time, a member of the family was hospitalized and all his savings paid the cost. His optimism had turned to discouragement. He felt that as if his world has turned upside down and stopped. He does not know where to go and how would he support the financial needs of his family. He heard about the outstanding reputation of Potato Systems Research and Training Center (PSRTC). A friend told him that the PSRTC is in the business of helping farmers by providing them with new improved agronomic technologies and loans for the inputs with minimal interest. He decided to avail of an agricultural loan, which allowed for the purchase of the needed inputs to grow excellent vegetable crops including carrots, eggplant, tomatoes, cabbage, and cucumbers.
As of July 2020, he had borrowed 3 times with loans of CA$ 250, 210 & 860 and used the funds to purchase the inputs needed from PSRTC including planting material, fertilizer, and pesticides. He was allowed to borrow more the third time because he was a good loan repayer and there were bigger needs on their farm. Chavez’s mother sold their harvest herself during the lockdown in Bacolod City. Chavez states: “I believe God has abundantly blest the works of our hands.” So they regained what they have lost with a total income of CA$ 7,700 from their vegetable crop sales.
Chavez gratefully acknowledges that "It’s a huge blessing to avail of PSRTC’s loan for agricultural inputs as it provided them an opportunity to earn, help others, and expand their farm production.” Chavez has provided jobs to their neighbors by allowing them to work in their fields. They were able to buy a small reconditioned pickup truck to transport their products easily. They are no longer dependent on one market. They are able to transport and sell their vegetables to Dumaguete City, Bacolod City, and to other parts of Negros Island.
Finally, Chavez joyously stated: “it is a glorious blessing to be a recipient of the programs of PSRTC. It provided tremendous help for their financial needs, lifted them, and expanded their farm success beyond their wildest imagination. To God be the glory!”
