I want to share my personal experience in sugarcane farming here in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat. For me, farming sugarcane is not just a daily task it is a long-term journey that supports our family’s needs and teaches us patience, discipline, and hard work.
Everything begins with land preparation. Before planting, we clean the field, remove weeds, and plow the soil properly. This part is very tiring, especially when the farm area is wide, but it is very important because good land preparation helps the sugarcane grow strong and healthy. After preparing the land, we plant the sugarcane cuttings carefully in rows. We make sure the spacing is right so the plants will grow evenly and have enough nutrients from the soil.
After planting, the real care begins. We do regular maintenance like fertilizing the plants to help them grow faster and stronger.
Sometimes we also spray when needed to protect them from pests. Even though sugarcane is not too difficult to maintain compared to other crops, it still needs proper attention. I personally monitor the schedule of fertilizing and expenses because farming also requires budgeting and planning.
One thing I appreciate about sugarcane is that it is very resilient. Even during extreme heat or El Niño season, it can still survive and continue growing. It does not require constant attention like some other crops. That is why many farmers here choose sugarcane as their main livelihood.
However, one of the biggest challenges is the waiting time. Sugarcane takes around nine months before it can be harvested. That is quite long, so it is very important for us to have another source of income while waiting. In our experience, farming teaches us not to depend on one income alone. We must plan ahead for our daily needs while waiting for the harvest season.
When harvest time finally comes, it is both tiring and fulfilling. Cutting sugarcane is hard work, but seeing the results after many months of patience makes everything worth it. In our place, selling sugarcane is not too difficult because it is our main crop. Many buyers come to our area since sugarcane is used for producing muscovado sugar, which gives us a stable market.
Through all these experiences, I learned that sugarcane farming is not just about planting and harvesting. It is about long-term effort, patience, and wise financial management. It teaches us to wait for the right time and to trust the process even when results are not immediate.
For anyone who wants to start farming sugarcane, my simple advice is to prepare your land well, take care of your crops consistently, and always have another source of income while waiting for harvest. Farming is not an instant success, but it is very rewarding when done with dedication.
For our family, sugarcane farming has been a big help in supporting our long term investment or used in other financing farm. It may look simple, but it plays a very important role in our lives as farmers and continues to sustain our future.
Thank you for reading my story, this is my owned picture and edited in Canva. Have a nice day!