Multi-agency support expands coco biz of agrarian reform cooperative
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) - Recognized as an agrarian reform cooperative, Libas Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) has expanded its operations beyond producing virgin coconut oil to a wide array of value-added products such as cookies, pretzels, coco juice, coco jam, massage oil, and coco vinegar, all marketed under the brand Jabonga Lakeside.
These products are now FDA-accredited and carry a Certificate of Product Registration, making them competitive in both local and national markets.
With 181 active members from
different barangays of Jabonga in the province of Agusan del Norte, the Libas
Farmers MPC continues to thrive as a vital force for agricultural development,
empowering local coconut farmers through sustainable livelihood and enterprise,
bolstered by continued government and private sector support.
According to Cooperative
Chairperson Rebecca C. Felix, the sustained progress of the cooperative would
not have been possible without government assistance.
“Mapasalamaton kami sa
gobyerno sa ilang walay puas nga suporta. Sa tabang sa kooperatiba, aduna na’y
klarong panginabuhian ang mga mag-uuma sa among lugar (We thank the government
for the unwavering support. Because of the government support, our farmer-
members have stable income in our place),” she said, thanking the government
for providing coconut farmers with reliable sources of livelihood and income.
The cooperative has benefitted
from the assistance of multiple agencies, including the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of
Science and Technology (DOST), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).
Their contributions range from production, processing equipment, product
development to skills training and marketing assistance.
PCA Caraga Regional Manager
Manolito Casapao reaffirmed their commitment to the cooperative’s long-term
sustainability. “The PCA will continue to provide technical support and
necessary interventions to sustain their production and further uplift the
lives of our coconut farmers,” he said.
The cooperative’s achievements
extend to wider platforms, having joined the World Coconut Congress in Manila
and various regional and national trade fairs across Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao, further increasing market exposure and demand for their products.
As Libas Farmers MPC continues its journey toward self-sufficiency and inclusive economic growth, it stands as a model of how strong government-cooperative partnerships can transform agriculture and create lasting impact in rural communities. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
