Mindanao Farmer Successfully Grows Foreign Fruit Trees in Backyard

To witness cherry blossoms, Filipinos usually have to travel all the way to Japan or South Korea, which can cost at least ₱5,000 for airfare alone. Even then, seeing them once might not feel like enough, making the experience both costly and exhausting.

When cherry blossoms started appearing in backyards around the Philippines, it gave hope that these beautiful trees could be enjoyed locally without the high travel expenses. Like many plantitas and plantitos, one Mindanao farmer made headlines after successfully growing similar imported trees right at home, making them accessible locally as well.

Fuji apples, raspberries, and more from this Mindanao farmer

Benzone Kennedy Sepe is a farmer based in Digos City, Davao del Sur. Thriving in his backyard are fruit counterparts of the world-famous cherry blossoms, which are typically grown in temperate climates like East Asia and North America. Thanks to the 29-year-old farmer, these trees now have a home in the Philippines, too.

Among Sepe’s trees are raspberries, strawberries, grapes, dragon fruits, pomegranate, and pears. Based on his YouTube channel and Facebook page — both of which he manages — he seems to dedicate most of his time to growing apples. His apple orchard is located at the foot of Mount Apo and houses more than 300 apple trees.

According to a MindaNews report, Sepe drew inspiration from farmers in South Korea during a two-month trip to the country in 2015. After that trip, he began growing Fuji apples in Digos “after he learned how successful farmers [are] there with propagating tropical mangoes despite the cold climate with the right technique and technology,” the report said.

Sepe attributes the success of growing apples to “longer sunlight exposure,” as apple trees thrive during sunny days. Harvests occur every six months thanks to the Philippines’ favourable climate. When he’s ready to sell them commercially abroad, Sepe plans to brand the fruits as “Benzone apples.”

All images credited to Benzone Kennedy Sepe | Official Facebook Page