AFTER more than four decades of shaping young minds as an agriculture professor at Mindanao State University (MSU), Dr. Celeste N. Querijero turned down an international consultancy offer that recognized her global expertise.
Instead, she stayed rooted in the soil of Misamis Oriental—where she chose to cultivate not only crops, but the potential of farmers hungry for knowledge and opportunity.
“I’ve always had a deep passion for agriculture. Even before I retired, I saw firsthand what our farmers needed. They yearn for knowledge, access, and a stable livelihood. So I volunteered to help. It’s my way of giving back after all the blessings I’ve received in my career,” she said.
Using her initials as brand identity, Querijero established the CNQ Diversified Farm in Sitio Saguing Patag in Misamis Oriental, driven by a passion not just to grow crops, but to uplift the very hands that plant them.
Right financing
It started with cultivating oyster mushrooms, an idea that stemmed from her dissertation days in Thailand, and has now grown into a thriving ecosystem of mulberries, ilang-ilang, coconuts, mangoes, vegetables, legumes, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and ube.
To bring her vision to life, she partnered with LandBank, tapping into its low-interest Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) Lending Program, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.
Under the program, individuals can borrow up to P1 million, while cooperatives and MSMEs may access up to P5 million for equipment, inputs, or facilities.
The loan helped her build a multi-purpose facility with a mushroom grow house on the ground floor and a training area upstairs for farmers and visitors.
From producing 8,000 oyster mushroom packs a year, her farm now yields 20,000 packs annually, and distributes them to major retail chains like SM, Ayala, and Robinsons, with some shipments even reaching Bohol and Cebu.
The growth has also brought jobs to the community, employing 21 locals, 80 percent of whom are women.
Learning landscape
CNQ Diversified Farm has evolved into more than just a productive farm; it has become a learning hub for farmers and the youth.
The farm is quickly gaining recognition as a model for sustainable and inclusive farming, attracting interest from universities, government agencies, and local leaders looking to replicate its success in rural communities.
Its forward-thinking practices have also sparked academic interest, resulting in a published book by graduate students.
Querijero regularly hosts training sessions with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Provincial Agriculturist’s Office, and other government partners.
She’s even exploring potential collaborations with European groups interested in her agri-training programs.
“I’m here to teach and guide, not just to build a farm, but to build lives,” she said, adding that the farm is seeking investors to scale up its production capacity and expand mushroom distribution across Mindanao and the Visayas.
She lauded LandBank for the timely support extended to her business that gave her the breathing room she needed for a low interest and a one-year grace period on flexible terms, “so I could focus on growing first before repaying.”
Querijero’s retirement story is a blueprint on how purposeful leadership, sound financing, and local commitment can create a lasting ripple effect.
Her farm stands as a symbol of growth centered on community, sustainability, and real inclusivity.
