Military training and agriculture make perfect sense: the success story of Gen. Bellen

Why does military training and agriculture, together, make perfect sense?

Ask former Philippine National Police (PNP) top brass, Gen. Alexander M. Belen. The retired military man made an interesting turn from tough and serious armed life to joining the ranks of PCARRD’s Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) or farmer-scientists. So far, his achievements are showing why agriculture-after-military is so tough to beat.

Bellen finds his years of military training and camp life very handy in achieving success in his current passion - livestock raising. As livestock expert Dr. Edwin C. Villar, PCARRD Director for Livestock Research puts it, “discipline and time consciousness are good traits of a livestock raiser; livestock feeding management does not favor flexibility. In fact, it does not help the growth of sheep and goats to change feeding schedules.”

Gen. Bellen in a spritely pose during a seminar held in his farm in Gamu, Isabela

This is why the former General is successful in this field. His farm in Isabela, “Bellen’s Sheep and Goat Farm, where farming is never boering” houses award-winning goats and various breeds of sheeps. One of his Boers was champ at the 2nd Cagayan Valley Goat and Sheep Expo where he also gave a talk on the latest goat production technologies.

Gen. Bellen and his champ Boer at the 2007 Cagayan Valley Goat and Sheep Expo

Being the matter-of-fact and naturally inquisitive person, Bellen constantly seeks new information on livestock. Be it reading books or surfing the Internet, he is always open for new technologies but cautiously studies them before applying on his farm. He is very active as an MS and devotes considerable effort in giving talks, and attending seminars and training. In his library, Belen has a rich collection of agriculture reference materials including a number of PCARRD publications like the Philippines Recommends series.

No wonder, he was chosen as MS for Isabela Breeding Station (IBS)-Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) center (in Gamu, Isabela), which focuses on small ruminants, specifically breeder sheep stock.

On top of his involvements as MS, Bellen chairs the National Small Ruminant Development Board. He is also the incoming Chair of the Isabela Goat and Sheep Raisers Association (ISGRADECO). (Lorelyn A. Poblete, S&T Media Service)