Libona: Top Supplier of First Class Tomatoes

Tomato

Endowed with extensive fertile terrains, Libona is recognized as one of the top supplier of first class tomatoes. Libona tomato farmers have gone through various explorations in finding effective ways to make tomato farming more productive. For long years of research, tomato farmers gain success making Libona the best provider for both local and export tomatoes.

Tomato farming is not easy. It needs thorough care and maintenance. Furthermore, it is an expensive sort of farming that needs extreme financial support. Tomato planting needs timely supply of fertilizers while growing and sensible insecticide spraying during fruiting. Insufficient supply of fertilizers and insecticide spray may result to several tomato diseases which may lead to crop failure – the one thing that all famers generally hate.

How to plant tomatoes effectively? Farmers in Libona have different ways in growing tomatoes from seed preparatory up to harvesting. Tomatoes are disseminated from seeds. On the other hand, Tomato seeds are initially planted on green houses or budded in mini bags. In suitable period, grown tomato seeds will be transferred to an enriched cultivated soil. For wide areas, seedlings are planted in a row with appropriate distance. Timely spraying and application of fertilizer is highly needed during cultivation. When tomato plants have grown enough, support poles should be implanted on sides where the stems are being twined to keep the plants stable. From the period of bearing fruits, spraying of insecticide should be done fairly to have a good harvest.

Tomato is similar to a creeping herb from the nightshade family. It is one of the most widely cultivated and highly important commercial vegetable used in various products on the market. Tomato fruit is rich with vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Lycopene – an antioxidant that helps prevent cellular oxidation. Tomatoes also prevent the development of cancer cells in body tissues. Basically, it reduces risk of cancers in the stomach, prostate glands and lungs.

The Legend of Libona

How does Libona got its name? A very interesting story, here is the legend of Libona:

Long ago, early in the 1800’s, the place was known for its abundance of gold. This gives people from neighboring towns an interest to seek a wealthy life from digging gold. At that time, the Spaniards are already ruling the country. It was January 17, 1817 when a Spanish soldier was assigned to patrol and list names of all places he would come across. As the soldier walk by, he saw a group of gold diggers. He asked one of the men, “Cuál es el nombre de este lugar?” – A Spanish phrase asking the name of the place. The man didn’t understand what the soldier is asking. With confusion, he answered, “Libo na” which means “a thousand already”.  He thought the soldier was asking how many gold have they got. The soldier left and listed the place on his record as “LIBONA”. From then on, the place was called Libona.

Libona: A Beautiful Town with Magnificent Land and Resources

From its green pasture and blue mountains, Libona is a beautiful town with magnificent land and resources. Located at the northern part of Bukidnon, the town covers an area of approximately 37,437.3175 hectares with an estimated population of about 36,386 people (as of 2009 survey). It is bounded by Cagayan de Oro City on the north, Lantapan and Sumilao on the south, Manolo Fortich on the east and Baungon on the west. Libona is recognized as a first class municipality with 14 continuously developing barangays and 32 sitios.

Surrounded with fertile soil, Libona achieves success in agribusiness allowing the town to acquire an annual income of about 88 million. Investors coming from different places across Philippines and Asia are interested in rearing poultry and livestock farms as well as planting crops. Libona is one of the top suppliers of farm products throughout Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao such as tomatoes, corn, coffee, pineapple, bananas and other vegetables. Currently, the town looks forward on developing some of its potential tourist attractions which include Bobonawan River water adventure, River Valley Shooting Range, Bogsok Cave, Kala-kala Cave, Sigmatan Falls and Mt. Kitanglad Natural Park.

THE HISTORY

                Libona was formerly a municipal district of Maluko (currently the Municipality of Manolo Fortich). It is segmented under Executive Order No. 5 early in April 4, 1917, acted on behalf of the Governor of the obsolete Department of Mindanao and Sulu. On October 4, 1957, the town was conceded with political identity acquiring sovereignty from its mother town. The former president, Carlos P. Garcia, released the Executive Order No. 272 proclaiming Libona as a new municipality, the 14^th municipality in the province of Bukidnon.