Rubisper B. Udal from Kulasihan, Lantapan, Bukidnon is a small fellow with a big ambition. Now 34, he used to be a laborer harvesting rice and corn of other farmers for five years, earning a meager pay. Then for two years, he was a sidewalk vendor of fried chicken. He would be lucky if he earned P10,000 a month.

Many people say that they cannot farm because they don’t have any land. That’s not a problem for Rubisper who is planting sweet corn and waxy corn on 30 hectares of rented land in Bukidnon. And from the meager P10,000 pesos he earned a month as laborer and fried chicken vendor, he is now earning more than P100,000 per month

Sweet corn and waxy corn, both distributed by East-West Seed are saleable crops that can be harvested in a matter of 65 to 75 days from planting. Rubisper has a strategy in renting land. He looks for land that is near a supply of water to make sure his crop will not suffer from drought.

As proof of his improved economic status, he has bought two cars, a delivery truck and a new house. He and his wife Elmaise have two children aged 5 and 11. They are assured of a good education, thanks to their enterprising dad.

Rubisper feels fulfilled because he has also helped improve the lives of his neighbors who have become his workers in planting and harvesting sweet and waxy corn. Many of his workers have bought their own motorcycles and other amenities of a better life.