Purino Integrated Farm: From orchard to multi-income agri land
Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Long before it developed into the thriving integrated farm it is today, Purino Integrated Farm, located in Barangay Villaflor, Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte, used to be a peaceful retreat orchard shaded by abundant mango trees for nearly three decades.
In 2022, Georgette P. Purino, the passionate co-owner and hands-on manager of Purino Integrated Farm, together with son Jose Alexander Purino, a drone farming specialist and licensed agricultural pilot, along with daughter-in-law, embraced the responsibility of upholding the legacy of the mango orchard and embraced innovation that could thrive amid the challenges of modern agriculture while prioritizing sustainability.
From this vision, the Purino Integrated Farm emerged. The once unadorned mango orchard has now transformed into a diversified agricultural ecosystem, flourishing with egg-laying poultry, tilapia ponds, goats, dragon fruit, calamansi, and, of course, the original mango trees. Future plans include incorporating dairy operations with milking cows and a piggery, reinforcing their self-sustaining approach.
In alignment with circular farming practices, the Purinos optimize every resource on their land. They produce organic fertilizers from chicken manure, ensuring that the soil remains rich and productive. From this fertile creativity arose their signature product—Tierra Verde, a mango-flavored rum liqueur that beautifully marries local tradition with modern craftsmanship. This celebrated creation has gained acclaim at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-initiated trade fairs, showcasing the innovative spirit behind the farm.
Also, Purino Integrated Farm gained significant momentum through its participation in the DTI’s program on Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprise – Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME). It was recognized as the Best Business Improvement Plan (BIP) award among participants from Surigao del Norte, a testament to the farm’s potential for growth.
Today, Purino Integrated Farm stands proud as an accredited Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) under the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). It serves as a model farm and a training ground for farmers, students, and agri-entrepreneurs eager to learn about integrated farming, sustainable practices, and value-adding innovations.
The Purinos’ commitment to modernization extends into the realm of smart farming, as they became the first in the Caraga region to offer agricultural drone services. These include direct seeding for rice, crop monitoring, and tree counting, empowering farmers to enhance productivity and efficiency through innovative, data-driven solutions.
Additionally, the farm provides comprehensive mango contractor services—encompassing financing, crop management, flowering, harvesting, and post-harvest handling—ensuring fellow farmers achieve optimal yields and market-ready produce.
From fresh eggs and vibrant mangoes to calamansi, calamansi juice, dragon fruit, and the celebrated Tierra Verde mango rum liqueur, each product from Purino Integrated Farm embodies a story of dedication, creativity, and sustainability. At its core, Purino Integrated Farm is more than just a business; it is a living legacy of growth, innovation, and transformation. It stands as a proud symbol of what is possible when tradition meets technology, when passion fuels purpose, and when a family’s love for the land blossoms into a vision for a smarter, more resilient agricultural future. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DTI-SDN)