BACK TO THE SOIL: Alvin A. Barrios, Jr.'s Journey to Success

Alvin A. Barrios, Jr. left the Philippines to work as an Electrical Foreman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for two years.

From an OFW to a certified organic farmer.

Like many Filipinos, Alvin A. Barrios Jr. believed that working abroad as an OFW would open doors that local opportunities could not. A native of Brgy. Bubog, Numancia, Aklan, Alvin, 49, grew up in a family of farmers but began his career far from the fields. He and his wife, Jocelyn Gregorio Barrios of Brgy. Osman, Malinao, Aklan, are proud parents of four daughters, living in Olive Plains, Bulwang, Numancia, Aklan.

In 2007, Alvin left the Philippines to work as an Electrical Foreman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. For two years, he endured the harsh routine of overseas work, sending his earnings home to provide for his family.

The pay was good, but the loneliness of being away from loved ones weighed heavily on him.

A Second Chance Abroad

After completing his contract in Saudi Arabia in 2009, Alvin thought about staying home for good. But the promise of better income in the Middle East drew him back.

With help from the Integrated Barangays of Numancia Multi-Purpose Cooperative (IBON MPC), which covered his placement fee, he secured another contract, this time in Qatar.

From 2010 to 2011, Alvin worked again as an Industrial/Electrical Foreman. Though he earned more, the isolation and homesickness remained. His time in Qatar made him realize that no amount of money could replace the fulfillment that came from being with his family and working on something he was truly passionate about.

It was during this period that Alvin began to seriously consider returning to the Philippines for good and pursuing a career in agriculture, a profession that had always been close to his heart.

“I was raised in a family of farmers. I knew how to value the importance of the soil that gives harvest to the crops needed by the community. When I return I will be a good farmer planting crops that give healthy foods for all”, he said.

First Ventures, Big Challenges

Interestingly, Alvin didn’t immediately start farming when he came home for good in Aklan. Instead, he opened a small meat shop in Poblacion, Malinao. This business became a stepping stone later on to acquire a piece of land, and became the foundation of Barrios Fruits and Vegetables Integrated Farm.

He began with lettuce and other vegetable crops, along with raising pigs, with IBON MPC again providing financial assistance. But starting out was never easy.

Alvin's venture into farming started with a small meatshop business, and later expanded into lettuce beds, other vegetables, and raising pigs through IBON MPC's financial assistance.

Alvin’s farming journey was tested by a series of trials. Fluctuating prices of agricultural inputs and the rising cost of living strained his finances. Larger commercial farms also posed stiff competition. On top of these challenges, natural disasters frequently struck Aklan, damaging crops and delaying harvests.

“El Niño came, then typhoons. And when COVID arrived, the lockdowns disrupted the food supply. We couldn’t transport produce, and demand dropped because many people lost their jobs,” Alvin shared.

The African Swine Flu (ASF) outbreak worsened matters, affecting local livestock businesses, including his own pigs. Although Alvin primarily focused on vegetable farming, the effects of ASF still impacted him. Despite these hurdles Alvin persevered, and his resourcefulness and reliance on organic methods allowed him to maintain operations and continue providing fresh produce to his community.

“Don’t lose hope, trust the Lord that in all our struggles in life, he will guide us and bear this entire crisis until we all recover,” he said.

Resilience, Then Success

After countless setbacks, Alvin transformed Barrios Fruits and Vegetables Integrated Farm in Bubog, Numancia, Aklan, into a model of resilience and success. Through partnerships with IBON MPC, ATI, and various government and non-government agencies, his farm became an accredited ATI Learning Site for sustainable and organic practices.

Barrios Fruits and Vegetables Integrated Farm is now an accredited ATI Learning Site for Agriculture

Today, Alvin specializes in lettuce production, supplying fresh greens to Shakey’s Kalibo and Meascor Corporation. The farm also welcomes community groups, organizations, and aspiring agripreneurs eager to learn about organic farming.

Business meetings with Meascor Corporation and Shakey's Kalibo to supply lettuce.

Community Impact and Recognition

Alvin’s determination has earned him awards and recognition, including Outstanding Farmer Volunteer of the Agriculture and Fishery Council and the Department of Agriculture Gawad Saka Award.

Alvin receives awards such as Outstanding Farmer Volunteer from Agriculture and Fishery Council and the Department of Agriculture Gawad Saka Award.

“Do aton nga pagtinguha ag naabot nga estado hay may manami nga istorya nga indi malipatan it dagaya. Raya hay kon kita hay nakabulig sa aton isig katawo nga mag-umwad man andang pagpangabuhi ag may malipayon na relasyon sa kada isaea,” Alvin shared, reflecting on how success means lifting others up.

Through all the trials, Alvin remains grounded. “Farming is not just about planting crops. It is about planting hope and growing with your community,” he often tells young farmers.

Indeed, Alvin has now come full circle. From the deserts of the Middle East to the lush fields of Aklan, an OFW-turned-certified-organic-farmer has found his way back to the soil.

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