The beginning of Umali Family Dragon Fruit Farm
Despite being a student, “I worked hard, arriving home from school during the weekends traveling two hours. Even at night I still tend to my crops, clearing the area and pruning the dragon fruit,” Marchefren said. Supplementary artificial lighting is utilized in dragon fruit farms to provide additional light during periods of low natural light or in regions where sunlight is limited. This supplementary lighting helps ensure that the dragon fruit plants receive the necessary amount of light for optimal growth and fruit production. By providing extra illumination, growers can stimulate plant development, promote flowering, and ultimately increase the yield and quality of the dragon fruit.
One of the significant challenges Marchefren faced was the occurrence of natural calamities and storms. During a crucial phase of expansion, substantial investments had already been made when a devastating storm struck in 2020. This period witnessed the onslaught of three consecutive typhoons. Marchefren shared that the first typhoon resulted in the dragon fruit farm being left with only five branches. Following the second typhoon, merely one branch remained standing.
Marchefren's vision for the farm is to transform it into an agritourism site, offering activities such as fruit picking and the sale of various dragon fruit by-products. Additionally, Marchefren has plans to expand the production area. Through these endeavors, Marchefren aims to inspire others and assist other farms in cultivating dragon fruit.