The musings of a wandergeselle about faith, literature, music, dancing, culture, food, travels, art, fashion, photography, life experiences, and everything in-between from journée to journée.
I’ll be temporarily lifting my #everyFridayblogpost rule for now because there are a lot of things that I’d like to share with you. I am no longer following my own editorial calendar because there are some topics that I need to insert in-between. I need to share these topics asap otherwise the thought will “expire.” 😉
Today, I’ll be sharing with you what I gathered from my research when it comes to land titles and business registration paperwork. If you’ve been browsing my previous articles, my family and I are on to this new project which is utilizing a piece of property on a wider scale for agribusiness. We are currently preparing the paperwork requirements for legalities’ purposes and equipping ourselves with all the information and knowledge we can gather about agribusiness.
I have high hopes that even if this family project will not push through (if God wills it), may this help you prepare if God has called you to venture into this endeavor. So while waiting, I thought it best to write this article. 🙂
“Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:6
Land Titles and Business Registration in the Philippines
1. Land Titles: Transfer and Registration
Whether you have acquired a piece of land by inheritance or you’re planning to buy one, these resources are very helpful to guide you in managing your land assets. I won’t include a step-by-step guide as these reliable sources will explain everything in detail. The online resources are as follows:
The next step is registering your business. If opportunities don’t allow you to purchase a piece of land, you still have the option to lease a property. You may check out the following links on how to register your business with the Security and Exchange Commission as well as with the Bureau of Internal Revenue:
These land titles and business registration resources may provide varying information and some may not be applicable in your case. But you may further conduct due diligence or seek professional advice with an expert. They can properly address your situation and give you the appropriate help. If you also wish to get in touch with me for other business-related concerns, you may contact me on my social media channels located on the sidebar or footer of this website. 🙂
Lastly, I am praying for God’s leading over this endeavor that I believe will impact the community for the better in the coming years. ❤
“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” – Proverbs 19:21
With all the skyscrapers being built all around us, we can also expect a higher demand in commodities within the metro. When there is a high demand but limited supply, we can then expect an increase in the prices of goods.
What we can ask ourselves at this point is why is it that there is a limited supply? When I go to the provinces, I see a lot of idle lands that are not being utilized. If we are going to utilize them for crop production, this will then increase the number of supply and there’s a possibility the prices of the commodities and goods will also decrease once they reach the city where the demand is high.
This is easier said than done though because there are a lot of factors that are preventing farmers from utilizing agricultural lands on a wider scale. These factors are what my siblings and I are currently addressing in our endeavor now.
Photo courtesy: Unsplash
Agribusiness Venture
My family’s engaged in palay and copra production for how many decades already, and yet there are a lot of things that we still don’t know about agriculture and farming.
So I searched through the web what I can learn about agribusiness and farming. I was able to dig out a lot of online resources, and I’m actually enrolled in these online courses now. One of them is DA’s e-learning portal and this is how it looks like:
This is what currently preoccupies me most of the time and probably the reason why God was firm in telling me I can’t have a full-time job at the moment. For a more comprehensive free online course, you can check this one out:
My family and I are currently in this season of gathering all the necessary information we need to make sure the project will push through. Our long-term goal is for the project to be sustainable enough and can be passed on from generation to generation.
It is the project’s mission to promote sustainable agriculture and support the local food movement. The following are the definitions lifted from Wikipedia:
Sustainable Agriculture
“Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways based on an understanding of ecosystem services, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment.
It has been defined as “an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will last over the long term”, for example to satisfy human food and fiber needs, to enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends, to make the most efficient use of non-renewable and on-farm resources and integrate natural biological cycles and controls, to sustain the economic viability of farm operations, and to enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.[4]
Key Principles
There are several key principles associated with sustainability in agriculture[5]:
The incorporation of biological and ecological processes into agricultural and food production practices. For example, these processes could include nutrient cycling, soil regeneration, and nitrogen fixation.
Using decreased amounts of non-renewable and unsustainable inputs, particularly the ones that are environmentally harmful.
Using the expertise of farmers to both productively work the land as well as to promote the self-reliance and self-sufficiency of farmers.
Solving agricultural and natural resource problems through the cooperation and collaboration of people with different skills. The problems tackled include pest management and irrigation.”
Local Food Movement
“Local food (local food movement or locavore) is a movement of people who prefer to eat foods which are grown or farmed relatively close to the places of sale and preparation.
Local food movements aim to connect food producers and food consumers in the same geographic region, in order to develop more self-reliant and resilient food networks; improve local economies; or to affect the health, environment, community, or society of a particular place.[1] The term has also been extended to include not only the geographic location of supplier and consumer but can also be “defined in terms of social and supply chain characteristics.”[2] For example, local food initiatives often promote sustainable and organic farming practices, although these are not explicitly related to the geographic proximity of producer and consumer.
Local food represents an alternative to the global food model, a model which often sees food traveling long distances before it reaches the consumer. A local food network involves relationships between food producers, distributors, retailers, and consumers in a particular place, where they work together to increase food security and ensure economic, ecological and social sustainability of a community.[3]”
Aside from conducting our own research, the season demands we also look for mentors. As they say, if you are looking for mentors, seek for thought leaders who have been in the industry for a long time. And thank God for giving us the right ones at exactly the right time.
My brother, sister-in-law, and I are attending a “Farm For Profit” seminar by Semilya sa Kinabuhi founder, Sir Dodong Cacanando, tomorrow. Then next Saturday, I am attending an online seminar entitled “Money Machines: How To Create Passive And Active Income At The Same Time” by Bro. Bo Sanchez.
Ah yes, all I can say is that God has been so faithful to us during this season. He has prepared everything we needed at this point and I know He’ll be with us all the way. 🙂
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
I believe, too, that this is not just a plan that He reserved for me and my family alone. This might be the start of collective efforts among the body of Christ (every one of us) in addressing some of the social issues that we’re currently facing such as the recent price increase in commodities.
In this regard, I would like to encourage everyone reading this to consider venturing into the agribusiness sector. And I hope that you will also be able to get a lot of ideas and insights from the opportunities and what I have learned, which I will be sharing in my future blog posts (including our future failures, if there will be any). 🙂
Always Learning
What is constant in every season is that God always provides us with new opportunities to learn all about this new endeavor. When I graduated from college back in 2008, I was able to get a job as a communications assistant for the deaf and mute. Through this job, I learned all about the struggles that persons with disabilities (PWDs) face every day.
It was such an eye opener for me. So when I resigned in 2010, I had a new goal – learn more about how I can help alleviate the challenges of PWDs and hopefully put up my own foundation in the future for special children who can’t afford expensive therapies.
I took a master’s degree in Special Education that focuses on catering to the needs of children with disabilities. This season introduced me to the field of teaching but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to finish my master’s degree because God brought me to a new season yet again in 2015 – married life.
Before I quit my graduate studies, I used the teaching units I got from the classes I took to get my professional license. I do love teaching but after contemplating whether it is the career for me or not, I felt it in my heart to pursue my first love instead, which is writing.
I found an opportunity in the digital marketing industry. It was in 2017 when my writing career started. Everything was new to me, but I was eager to learn because I love what I am doing.
After a year, I have decided to let it go because God brought me to yet another season – focus on the family project which is the agribusiness.
God’s Plans
We really can’t see what God’s plans are and only God can tell. I have assumptions, but I can’t claim that these are God’s plans as well. What are my assumptions?
God gifted me with a talent in writing. From grade school until college, it was all a preparation. So, why take SpEd? It will satisfy some of the objectives of the family project which will include putting up a social enterprise that will teach young entrepreneurs and a foundation to help those in need (special children, orphans, etc.). The main objective of our project is for other people to benefit more.
As a licensed teacher, I can teach young students and it might not be in the area of my expertise which is English. But, it can be in the field of agriculture, farming, and entrepreneurship applying everything I will learn on our farm.
Why digital marketing? That is the trajectory of the future of businesses. Marketing using the traditional way can benefit a lot alongside digital marketing. The latter can boost the growth and development of a company not just in finance but in terms of creating partnerships and remaining competitive in the global market.
Writing plays a huge role when establishing the company’s online presence in the digital world. Businesses have to be at par with the rapidly evolving digital technology and storytelling is just one of the ways.
My brother’s comment before when it comes to my writing is this – you have such a flair for the dramatic. I told him that well, I was created to be a poet. 😉
My writing appeals to the emotions. This appeal is the reason why I love persuasive writing. I persuade my readers to know the Truth. But if they can’t find out what the Truth is after reading my posts, then I believe I haven’t persuaded them enough. 😀
Going back to God’s will and plans over my family’s endeavor, hubby and I were having thoughts to transfer homes back in 2017. We already have plans to start investing in our own home even if it is a small one. I shared it with my brother who then suggested we stay at my sister’s condo instead. He said that we can save more this way and get a house later on that is located in a place that we love.
We agreed that we will pay the association dues since my sister waived the rental fee (thank you so muchos, Ate Ayn!). At the same time, we will look out after the place for her since she and her husband live in Norway.
God’s Favors
I am extremely grateful for all of these because they were all favors from the Lord. Yes, my brother is right that this new season of us living in yet another new home will help us save a little. But we can do it even if I don’t have a full-time job. This means I can concentrate on learning all that I need to learn for our farm projects.
My other siblings don’t have the time to learn them all so it is my task to fill them in with all the info I can gather from my research. My other sister in the province will be my partner in applying what we have learned from the e-courses when I go back home. And yet our other siblings’ careers are important, too, in helping fund the project’s expenses.
My other sister and I have the time to learn so much but we don’t have well-paying careers and our other siblings have high-paying careers but they don’t have enough time. Combined together is now a perfect team to make the project work. I bet God is really the best project manager ever He knows the best persons to delegate certain tasks with. 😀
But then again, 5 heads are better than 1 or 2. So yes, I need all of my siblings’ wisdom in this endeavor. And I am glad I have their full support and cooperation. (Love you, my dear sibs!)
Put God First
With all the info overload I gathered from my research, I am estimating that it’ll take about more than a year to study all the business concepts when it comes to agriculture and farming. I am always seeking for God’s wisdom though on what to do with all the collated info.
As we all know, learning how to do something is actually very different from doing exactly what you learned a.k.a. theories vs. application. I realized we have a lot to learn in this endeavor and if we want our projects to be sustainable, we need to be equipped with the right business and farming concepts and be able to apply them well.
If you are to ask me why should we pursue this endeavor, it is because of this: how we build the world today is how we set the course of the future. That is, I don’t want the future generations to eat very pricey vegetables due to the high demand and low supply. Even if I don’t have kids, I still have high hopes that what we do now will impact the world later on for the better. That is, with God’s guidance as our “chiefest” CEO. 😉
To end this article, here’s a very inspiring message (the best commencement speech for me) from none other than one of the Academy Award-winning and most acclaimed actors, Denzel Washington:
P.S.
Please don’t blame me if ever you ventured into agribusiness and failed. 😀 Endeavors like this require consulting with God first and foremost because we all have our own God-given purposes.
Writing this postscript actually made me realize that pursuing the things that we don’t have can become only that – an endless pursuit. But if we pursue an endeavor by making good use of what God has already given us, we might actually find our purpose in and through them. 🙂
*Update as of 9/15/2018: “Farm for Profit” seminar was cancelled due to typhoon Ompong.
Thank God yet again for the grace to finish all the tasks set for today. 🙂 First off, I am only running a free domain for this blog so when I finally worked on our family project’s official website, I didn’t expect there’s A LOT to learn. 😀
I am all passionate when it comes to learning though. So I can say I’ve enjoyed every minute I spent putting it together from logo-making to choosing the layout to content organizing. We’re only using the premium plan because I told my siblings I just needed to make my way around building a professional website. When the family project’s fully operational, I plan to upgrade it to the business plan if God wills it.
The entire web designing/developing took me three days to set up. The website’s already live but it still is under construction. You may take a peek though if you’re curious. 😉
I’ll be sharing the developments here on my personal blog first then migrate them there later on. If you’re wondering what this family project is all about, you can check out this article but it’s written in the vernacular. Don’t worry, you can still read it by clicking “Google Translate” which you can find at the sidebar of this site (desktop view) and at the lower portion of the site (mobile view). I just hope Google will do a fine work of translating it exactly as what the gist of the story is all about. 😉
Business Aspects
Now let’s get down to business, technically. 😀 For the technical aspects of the land, it is a 13.5-hectare property divided into two. One half belongs to my Aunt (Mom’s sister) and the other half to my Mom. The opportunity already came to tell my Aunt who’s living in the U.S. about the project. She shared to me a video about a discovery of one consumer on a lettuce that’s made of plastic. I told my Aunt all the more we should pursue organic farming on our property for healthier products.
Organic Farming
Speaking of organic farming, I asked Dad what are the other crops aside from coconut and rice suitable to plant at the farm. I already conducted my research on the consistent top-selling agricultural products for the last 3-4 consecutive years. These products are high-selling due to a high demand. Currently, it’s the same demand (and a dilemma) in our town – the lack of options when it comes to vegetables.
Dad said the majority of the vegetables sold in our local public market came from Manila. This means these vegetables are sold at a relatively high price because it will include the careful packaging, handling, and delivery fees. It takes 17 hours to travel by land from Manila to our town. So by the time it reaches our town, you can expect the vegetables are all in poor condition and of low quality but sold at an expensive price.
I shared with Dad this will be the goal of the project, to supply the demands in our town and sell our products for a fraction of the usual market price but still meet the targeted ROI. How can we achieve that? It’s definitely going to be a trial and error. Release a couple of products in the market and then monitor the generated income on a monthly basis and see if there’s a consistency in the demand and a need to up the supply. If there are higher purchases, it means the market price we have set is fair enough for the consumers. But, easier said than done always. 😉
Down to Early Stages
My siblings and I already have this urge that time is of the essence. The earlier we start, the sooner we can make these plans materialize. But when I asked my Dad how long it’ll take for all the paperwork to be processed for the titling of all his land possessions (current status) including the Oyango Ridge, he said, “Just relax.” lol 😀 This is needed for transferring ownership of land possessions to heirs.
Okay, I get it now. I believe this is why the Bible stated receiving the inheritance at an older age. Why? With older age comes greater wisdom brought by experiences. Even if we think we know it all how to run and manage the company smoothly and successfully, nothing still beats experience as the best teacher.
This is where our parents come in. They don’t make decisions based on impulse and act hastily but make them through guided wisdom. That’s what I am learning now, too. I believe the spiritual gift of the family is more on the gift of prophecy. Mom calls it as foresight. She saw it from our late grandpa who would always act on something when the timing is right. That action will then fulfill an even greater purpose and will only have relevance several years after just like now.
I could still remember my Mom a few years back when she sat me and my sister down to have this “serious” talk about the last will and testament and how the properties will be divided among me and my siblings. My sister and I laughed it off telling her it is still too early to do it, they’re still young and they won’t die yet. Mom was furious and said, “Why are you taking all of these as a joke? This is not a laughing matter because we will never know when the inevitable (dying) will happen. So you all listen because this is a serious topic.” 😀
I believe during that time my Mom already received the prophecy, the foresight. Mom already felt it in her heart that 4 years after, here we are, siblings, actively pursuing our interest to utilize the property. We never got to hear from her that time though how exactly the land will be divided among her 5 children because she reiterated about why the land is important to them and to the family instead. But I believe Mom and Dad prepared what needs to be prepared already.
This is what I am praying for in this endeavor. I pray that may we all be guided by Godly wisdom in pursuing this purpose that God has set in our hearts. May our families have undivided interests and will continue to seek the greater good of everyone. This is actually what I am grateful for now – the active participation of all my siblings to make this project come true. Now, it’s all about waiting for God’s perfect time to execute them one by one and His grace to resolve all challenges we meet along the way.
Challenges and Setbacks
We’ve already had some setbacks and cited several challenges during the business planning. I broke them down into several categories depending on a particular area of the land. We plan to utilize only half of the farm (Mom’s share) and we will still consult with my Aunt’s family what their plans are on their portion of the land. For now, a little portion of the property is being utilized for copra production. We don’t have an estimate yet about the total number of coconut trees (hubby and I were tasked to count and mark them all down one by one on our next visit next month) but we can gather a truckload of produce every 45 days. We already have a team of farmers (I call them our “coco” heroes. 😉 ) helping us with the entire production.
At this point, Mom would like to buy a truck and we can’t see the advantage yet of acquiring one as early as now but I do have hints. Dad is also managing other land assets which are now being utilized as rice fields. They are located in different parts of the town and I think my Mom believes we can cut down on transport fees if we own the truck instead of hiring one to transport all of our produce.
Yes, I know Mom can see the picture pretty clearly already. For us, it’s all a scattered plan. But for her, it’s already one solid project. When Mom decides on something, it usually turns out for the greater good because she’s a very good planner. This is probably the result of having foresight as I mentioned earlier. I am praying I’ll have the same spiritual gift. Mom’s wisdom, come on to me now. 😀
Seriously though, I am praying for God’s wisdom, grace, provision, and timing over all the challenges in this early stage of the project’s development such as what I’ll discuss below.
Technical aspects:
Secure a permanent perimeter fence on the entire property.
Establish water and electric supply.
Facilitate road improvements.
Hire a farm help to live at the farm 24/7 just to make sure there are no security breaches or trespassers.
Organic Farming (as per Dad’s advice):
Needs to conduct soil analysis to determine the soil type.
The soil is made of clay, not perfect for planting any kind of crops.
There is an option to plant crops, but the soil analysis will determine the proportion of fertilizers needed for the crops to produce a higher yield.
Due to the climate change, the farming calendar has also shifted.
The soil analysis will be conducted at the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (3 hrs travel time).
Marketing:
Identify the clientele.
Select the suitable marketing channels.
In-depth study of the ratio of supply and demand.
Packaging, handling, and transport measures.
Analyze if the ROI in all selected crops including palay and copra is feasible enough to sustain the project’s operations.
That is just stage 1 and we haven’t even started yet because it’s rainy season already. We need dry land for dredging to set up a water source and determine how deep it should go. The same goes for establishing electricity and making road improvements.
Also, Mom suggested there must be a farm help first to make sure no one will tamper with any of the equipment or construction materials brought inside the farm. But, we are still screening the best applicant who is willing, who is reliable, and whom we can trust.
The farm help will be receiving a regular income though with all the mandated government benefits and a monthly allowance of 1 sack of rice. Methinks that is already a suitable offer I am even willing to grab it, myself. But well, I am tied to other obligations for now. 😀
The reason why I am sharing these developments is to provide information about pursuing a business in the agricultural sector on a wider scale. I also wish to hear insights from you, my beloved readers, if you know anything about agribusiness. This season requires I have a mentor who shares the same passion and business goals that we have. I already found one and I am praying for God’s perfect time to conduct a business meeting/fellowship with him. 🙂
He’s none other than Bro. Bo Sanchez. It was only last month when I got to read one of his books and the book was like sitting on my siblings’ bookshelves for decades already. But God’s timing made it possible that I get to read it now at just the right season I’m in. I can relate to all of the experiences and insights he shared even the one which he calls as the “happy poverty.” I’ll touch more on that in the article scheduled two Fridays from now. But what captivated me most was Anawim. More of this, too, in said article.
Next Friday, I’ll be sharing a detailed history of the property and why the desire in our hearts to pursue this family project. But to set things straight, this is not for us because we’re all pursuing our chosen careers. To end this article, I’d like to write down this prayer because I know this endeavor isn’t something that can be done overnight. It’ll require so much from us in all aspects (spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, & financial) and at this point, we would like to ask for your prayers, too. ❤
“Lord, may Your will be done for You, alone, direct our steps. We are seeking for your guiding light in every step of the way and may you give us protection from anything that the enemy will strike against us. I am praying that in this season, on this particular journey, may Your name be glorified through all the testimonies in our lives.”
Verse of the day (as of 8/11/2018):
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19
I am trying to post this asap before the clock strikes 12 midnight because this is supposedly an #everyFridayblogpost. 😀 But I had so little time to rest in between tasks because I also cooked “lechon paksiw” for our dinner. My rest time is my only writing time so I got to write this only now. Do leave a comment if you’d like to know the recipe for this popular Filipino dish. 😉
The Journeyman's Moments 