Agriculture and viticulture Philippines

These amphitheatrical rice paddies stretch as far as the eye can see, offering an imposing spectacle in all seasons, whether mist-covered or bathed in sunshine. Walking through them is a real pleasure (provided you're not afraid of heights). Accompanied by an ifugao guide, you climb up and down the low walls that separate the plots. You're likely to come across locals with their arms full of victuals and schoolchildren striding off to school. It's a unique experience, but one that requires a good level of fitness.

A genius invention? The rice fields of Batad are, along with those of Banaue, on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Reflecting the genius of the first inhabitants, they flow over the mountain like silky green drapes. It is said that if they were laid end to end, they would encircle half the globe. In fact, their total length is 20,000 km! Thanks to the audacity of the first Ifugaos, the mountains were shaped, with a system of stone or earthen walls rising up to 23 m. The terraces were built as long ago as the Middle Ages. The terraces were built 2,000 years ago, when members of these tribes set about carving and sculpting them using rudimentary tools. Built and created by free men over whom no authority exercised power and without recourse to slavery, these terraces are viable thanks to a perfect irrigation system. Mountain springs and streams are channeled into gullies. The canals criss-cross the rice paddies down to the base of the mountain. Bamboo trees pierced with a few holes spread the water across the plantations, preventing it from evaporating. The knowledge of nature and the technical skills of the first Ifugaos intrigued and impressed many. However, the existence of terraces remained unknown during Spanish colonization. José Rizal, for example, was unaware of this success.

Ifugaos farmers have been growing rice for generations, and it's their job to keep these terraces intact. The work is physically demanding. They remain bent over from dawn to dusk, after having traveled many kilometers. Planting takes place in February; harvesting in July. From July to September, the terraces are cleaned; in December, the soil is prepared for planting. It's hard to remain indifferent to such a human endeavor, which testifies to the rich knowledge of the Ifugaos, who have known how to take advantage of nature while preserving it.

Located at about 20 kilometers from Banaue, Hungduan is a small village of 1,000 inhabitants renowned for its rice fields. Their visit, accompanied by a local guide, can be easily organized through your Banaue guesthouse. The place is simply sublime. Accompanied by a guide who will provide you with a lot of information, we cross the rice fields by walking on the low stone walls that separate the plots. These rice fields are also about 2,000 years old and are part of the Unesco site. It is a magical experience. They spread out in a staircase on both sides of the river, in the hollow of the mountains. The best time to visit is from January to May. July and August is the rainy season, but if you go in August you can attend the Punnuk festival (no specific day because it marks the end of the rainy season). It takes place in the rice fields and in the rivers, the three villages of the valley including Hapao compete in games and parade in traditional costumes.

It takes about 2 hours to walk in the rice fields with the explanations of your guide on the process of planting and harvesting rice. The rice fields of Hapao unlike those of Banaue are still used by the different owners and therefore maintained, which makes them particularly beautiful. Be careful if you are afraid of heights, there are some paths that are not as high and narrow as others, but tell your guide in advance because it might not be very pleasant for you.

They are among the most beautiful rice fields in the archipelago! They can be reached on foot, in 3 hours, above Bontoc. They are built in staircases, with low stone walls to support them. The trek must be undertaken with a guide. Once up there, preferably early in the morning, a breathtakingly beautiful view opens up, often with a gradually dissipating sea of clouds, over the mountains, the village of Bontoc and the Chico River. It's absolute calm, a place that seems frozen in time, untouched by the frenzy of modern life.

It makes 250 ha and produces not only lemons, but also mangoes and cashew nuts.

The General Santos region is highly agricultural, with an abundance of crops. Twenty kilometers from the city center lies Polomolok, at the foot of Mount Matutum. This is one of the most prosperous towns in the region, and home to the largest pineapple plantation, covering 18,000 hectares. If you've always believed that pineapples grow on trees, this is the tour for you! In just one hour, you'll get an overview of the industrial cultivation (more than 60% is destined for export) of this sweet, delicious fruit.

It is one of the oldest and most popular resorts in the country. In addition to staying there, you can also come for a day trip to visit this strange museum that looks like a pink church and houses a huge collection of antiques, sail on the river on bamboo rafts, ride a bike or enjoy the pool. Don't miss lunch at Labasin, the restaurant where you can eat a traditional Filipino boodle fight, with your feet in the water beside a beautiful waterfall.