Promoting Inclusive Economic Growth
Through Valorization of Coconut Husks
Project Summary
The overall objective of this project is to create viable and sustainable jobs for men, women and youth in Mindanao (Philippines) through a business partnership between coconut smallholder farmers (CSHF) and Biogrow (top producer of ecological cocopeat substrates). The partnership will valorise coconut by-products (husks) and promote the development of a local cocopeat and coco fibre industry
Latest News
IRDF Participates in Drafting Philippine National Standard for Coco Net
The Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF) played a crucial role in the recent discussions regarding the draft Philippine National Standard on Coco net, focusing on its classification and specification. Held on March 21, 2024, at the PCA Davao Research Center in Tugbok, Davao City, the event brought together key stakeholders to deliberate meticulously on the draft and provide valuable recommendations. One of the notable participants, Ms. Amelia Fuentes...
Empowering Coconut Farmers Through Climate-Smart Agriculture Training
Climate Smart Agriculture surpasses conventional farming paradigms by integrating traditional wisdom with modern innovations. It underscores the imperative of environmental stewardship while simultaneously addressing food security concerns. By embracing CSA principles, farmers can not only mitigate climate risks but also seize opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity.
Coco Husk Chips Drying: A Resilient Pursuit
Earlier this year, UNICARBAI MPC (UMPC) in Barangay Basiawan, Sta. Maria, embarked on the aging process of their coco husk chips, storing a minimum of 200 sacks in the area. Although they planned to collect and prepare the aged chips for drying, the persistent rainy season thwarted their efforts to process more coco chips. Just last week, the UMPC facility faced flooding due to relentless rain throughout the day. However, this setback has not deterred their...
Harvesting Success: A decade of challenges and transformation of FFCC
https://youtu.be/DJCGAFNpwSoAlfreda Lanticse, former chairperson, and current vice chairperson of the board at FFCC, has been at the forefront of the cooperative's remarkable decade-long journey. From its inception in 2011 with a modest 26 members, FFCC, short for Fairtrade Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, has evolved into a thriving community of 187 members.Initially rooted in credit and loans, FFCC expanded its ventures amidst trials and challenges along the...
TUCOFA Women Officers Empowered Through IRDF Partnership and Don Bosco Training Program
On November 14, 2023, a transformative initiative unfolded as Don Bosco Micro Enterprise Center conducted a comprehensive training program for women officers of Tubon Coconut Farmers Association (TUCOFA), an esteemed partner organization of the IRDF.The training focused on the development of small-scale micro-enterprises, emphasizing the production of diverse products such as coco cookies, coco chips, coco candy, and the art of Bukhayo making. All are delicious...
Empowering Communities with Bilugan Twining Training: Paving the Path to Quality and Sustainability
In a bid to empower communities and enhance their skills, a series of training sessions on twining using the Bilugan machine have been carried out recently. The sessions, led by the experienced trainer, Mr. Ramil Rosales, have focused on improving the quality of rope production and expanding participants' skill sets. Training Session 1: IRDF Demo Center, Matanao, Davao Del Sur On October 9, 2023, Ramil Rosales, an expert on...
UNICARBAI MPC: Coco Husk Processing, a challenge but a worthwhile endeavor.
On October 4, UNICARBAI Multi-Purpose Cooperative (UMPC) started their enterprise into coco husk processing, a new venture for the cooperative. The path was not without its initial challenges, but as of October 11, UMPC is set to make its first delivery to the Biogrow Plant in Malalag, with 266 sacks of processed chips. At present, UMPC has deployed four operators or coco husks chippers as a team working in a single shift to manage their chipping operations. These...
GECARBA: Coconut farmers’ resiliency amidst uncertainties
In 1978, the Department of Agrarian Reform extended a lifeline to 63 farmworkers, gifting them with 1.5 to 3 hectares of Guiang Estate's land in Brgy. San Isidro in the town of Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental. These fortunate farmer-beneficiaries would later become the heart of the Guiang Estate Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association- GECARBA. On September 1, 2023, a consultation workshop was facilitated by the Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF), their...
IRDF, Livelihoods for Family Farming (L3F), Franklin Baker (FB) and MARS Collaborate to Empower Coconut Farmers and Enhance Rural Livelihood in Mindanao
In a groundbreaking partnership that underscores a common commitment to uplift rural communities and enhance agricultural sustainability, the Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF), L3F, FB and MARS have joined forces to create a transformative initiative aimed at empowering coconut farmers in the Philippines. This collaborative effort, which melds IRDF's community-driven expertise, L3F’s development consultancy services together with MARS' and FB’s...
THE COCONUT TRAINING CENTER:EMPOWERING WOMEN AND FARMERS THROUGH BUSINESS AND CIVIL SOCIETY COLLABORATION
Another busy day at the Coconut Training Center Tamlangon is a barangay in Davao del Sur, in the municipality of Matanao (17,000 households in 2020). Most areas are planted with rice, bananas, coconut and various fruit trees. Residents of Tamlangon mostly engage in farm work. Outside of planting and harvesting, they have no other sources of extra income. Until the BIOGROW Philippines, a substrate company based in Mindanao and the Integrated Rural Development...
This project will contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
