Benzone Kennedy F. Sepe made headlines when he managed to grow apples in Davao del Sur. Now he specializes in growing other exotic fruits as well. ManilaBulletin
When he was growing up, Benzone Kennedy F. Sepe dreamed of seeing an apple tree. But there were no apple trees in the Philippines. as it is a tropical country. Apples only grow in temperate countries like China, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, and the United States.“That’s the reason why I really wanted to go to the US,” he said. Most Filipinos, he observed, as he loves eating apples. He wondered why he had never seen apple trees when the fruit was being sold in the market.
Sepe grows apples in Kapatagan Apple Orchard, Rare Fruit Farm and Nurseries; his farm in Kapatagan, a barangay of Digos City, Davao del Sur. Located at the rolling foothills of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak, it has cooler weather than many parts of the country.At least 30 apple trees are growing now in the homeyard. The 300 others are planted in front of their church and in a half-hectare land which he rents.
Since he didn’t know much about those exotic fruits, Sepe learned the planting techniques from watching videos posted on the internet. “I also read articles about fruit propagation,” he said. “During my spare time, I try to discover different techniques and technologies in farming, most especially about fruit crops.”
To control pests and diseases, Sepe applies integrated pest management , which includes making homemade natural pesticides and foliar sprays. Most buyers come to his farm to buy the planting materials. Some of the famous personalities who have bought planting materials from him include Senator Cynthia Villar and former governor Toto Mangudadato. “I also do some shipping nationwide, particularly those from Luzon areas,” he said.The Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture has accredited the farm as a learning site for apple growing, the very first of its kind in the country.
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