It all started when I was 8 years old. My father instilled in me a love for agriculture from a young age, he consistently told me to always think of agriculture as a means by which I could ensure the future and well-being of my family. He told me: through agriculture you can provide food for your family and even more so in times of crisis. That advice stuck in my mind. My father motivated me and actively involved me in a pleasant way in growing fruits such as yautia, yams, bananas, coffee, as well as all the minor fruits.
The truth is that when I reached my young adult life I did not dedicate myself to agriculture, but rather I practiced the professions of welder and vocational educator. However, later in time there were events that led me to remember my father's wise advice regarding the benefits of growing food. One great event in particular that I can cite was the circumstances in which Puerto Rico was left after the passage of Hurricane María in 2017. There was a worrying moment in which traffic on the roads was difficult or impossible due to flooding, landslides and other damage caused by the force of nature with the passage of the hurricane, then I witnessed the sad fact of knowing that food was scarce throughout the country and families could not travel to purchase food as they used to. Observing this unfortunate panorama I begin to remember my father's wise words in relation to agriculture as a means to support my family and have food available for them in any circumstance. After what happened, I enthusiastically proceeded to plant and grow some minor fruits, my first crops being some tomato seeds that a farmer friend in my area gave me; They were given to me abundantly and I enjoyed sharing them with family and neighbors in my community.
How does Cultivos Borinquen originate?
In September 2019, visiting a company dedicated to the sale of seed packaging, with whom I previously had a business relationship, one day I observed that there were some germinated trays of yellow passion fruit seedlings which had no destination, and I asked the owner if He sold them to me to resell them and deliver them at home to people in the North Zone. As a consequence of the story narrated, what began as a “hobby” emerged and today is the projection of a business called Cultivos Borinquen. In the short path traveled, I began to discover shocking realities concerning the propagation, management and harvest of crops and how they were proceeding commercially, and I noticed the need that my people have for help and quality agricultural resources. Then I became interested in providing an eco-friendly product: no pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. This is how Cultivos Borinquen was born and the desire that every home of my compatriots not lack a home garden.