As I made my way to some rice farmers in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, some time ago, during the planting season, I found myself amidst a serene scene of agricultural labor. It took me a while to locate farmers toiling away in the fields. There they were, workers diligently engaged in the task of transplanting young rice seedlings from the seedbeds. One worker carefully lifted the delicate plants, while another carried them over to the awaiting rice paddies, ready for planting.
Meanwhile, others were busy preparing the fields for transplantation, whether it be through the traditional method with water buffaloes, known locally as Carabaos, or with the aid of a handheld tractor.
The atmosphere was one of focused industry, yet there was a tranquil rhythm to their movements, synchronized with the natural cycles of the land. As I observed, I couldn’t help but marvel at the harmonious blend of human effort and the bountiful earth.
They mentioned that I should return in March when the rice would be ripe for harvest, completing the cycle of cultivation they had begun with such dedication. Until then, the fields whispered promises of future abundance, their verdant greenery a testament to the promise of a fruitful harvest to come.