By I. Inojales, Helen Castaño | 10:03 PM July 26, 2025
BALILIHAN, BOHOL — After decades in politics, former Bohol 1st District Representative Edgar Chatto has traded the halls of Congress for the quiet rhythm of rural life, embracing farming not just as a personal pursuit but as a new form of public service.
“Inland fishery is the name of the game,” Chatto shared on Facebook, as he encouraged farmers to think beyond traditional agriculture. “If your farmland has access to water, allot a few square meters for a fishpond. Raise fingerlings and enjoy a fresh supply of fish.”
Now an advocate for integrated farming, Chatto is promoting a model that blends crops, livestock, and aquaculture to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods. He believes that by maximizing available resources—planting vegetables, raising chickens, pigs, ducks, and cultivating fishponds—farmers can create diversified and resilient food systems.
“Integrated farming allows farmers to feed their families and earn more. It’s about self-sufficiency and making the most of what the land can offer,” he said.
Chatto’s shift from policymaking to hands-on farming underscores his commitment to empowering rural communities. He now urges fellow Boholanos and Filipinos across the country to consider integrated farming not only as a means of survival but as a pathway to prosperity and sustainability.
After years in public service, his advocacy now grows in the soil—rooted in the wisdom of the land and a vision for self-sufficient communities.
