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
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...
THE DANIDA MARKET DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP IN THE PHILIPPINES: The Fairtrade Farmers Coconut Multipurpose Cooperative (FFCC) in Focus
The Fairtrade Farmers Credit Cooperative (FFCC) was established in 2012 with coconut farmers mostly from the towns of Padada, Sulop, Hagonoy and Malalag, all in Davao del Sur. It started out as a small group of farmers delivering organic coconuts to AG Pacific Nutriceutical Corporation—a processor of organic virgin coconut oil products. FFCC began by providing credit to its members to finance needed inputs for their coconut farm development plans. Today, FFCC has...
The COCO TRAINING CENTER INTENSIFIES DEMONSTRATION OF EFFICIENT MACHINERIES
The Training Center began operations in February 2022, producing 16 cubic feet of fresh coco chips per day while processing 3,000 to 3,500 husks per day on average per machine. We currently have three chipping machines working. 13 cubic meters of coco peat and 660 kg of wet fiber per hour are produced by one defibering equipment with a daily average of 200 bags of coco chips are dried by 10 persons. As of May 17, 2023, Bio Grow received deliveries of 79,265.64 kg...
Empowering Women through Husk Valorization: DMDP Project in Mindanao
Many development advocates have focused on uplifting the status of women in the Philippines by empowering them in the social, economic and political spheres. A key driver behind the advancement of women’s rights has been the enactment of the Philippine Magna Carta for Women 13 years ago which seek the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. The IRDF BIOGROW LV project entitled “Promoting Economic Growth through the Valorization of Coconut Husk”...
CREATING JOBS, IMPROVING INCOMES OF SMALLHOLDER COCONUT FARMERS IN MINDANAO: THE IRDF-BIOGROW-LV DMDP PROJECT
CONTEXT: The Philippine coconut industry produces around 14 million metric tons of coconuts annually and accounts for more than $1 billion export revenue annually, providing livelihood to around 3.5 million coconut smallholder farmers (CSHF). However, the tremendous value produced in the sector is not translated into better quality of life of CSHF who mostly are indebted and impoverished. THE DANIDA MARKET DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP (DMDP) The DMDP project in the...
Coconut Husks Stakeholders’ Forum 2021
The Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF) Mindanao, under the project “Promoting Inclusive Economic Growth Through the Valorization of Coconut Husks” Project organized the Coconut Husks Stakeholder’s Forum last December 9, 2021 at Asencia Resto Bar, Lapu-lapu St., Digos City.
Installation of decorticating machine at demo center
Decorticating machines were installed at the project's demo center for chipping and decorticating operations
Video message for the celebration of #DKPH75Years
Message of partner POs and Ms. Arze Glipo, Executive Director of the IRDF, on the celebration of 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Denmark and the Philippines.
This project will contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
