Government support expands market opportunities for Agusan Norte coconut entrepreneurs
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Four micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Agusan del Norte and Butuan City expanded their market reach and strengthened business linkages after showcasing their coconut-based products at the Coconut Philippines Mindanao Trade Fair 2026 held in Davao City.
The four-day trade fair provided the enterprises with opportunities to introduce their products to a broader consumer base, engage potential buyers and industry stakeholders, and explore business prospects beyond their local markets.
The initiative supports the national government’s thrust under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen the agriculture sector, promote value-adding and agribusiness development, expand market access, and create more livelihood and income opportunities for farmers and agriculture-based enterprises. It is aligned with the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), which seeks to strengthen the coconut industry through farmer and enterprise development, market access, diversification, and value addition.
Representing Agusan del Norte and Butuan City were Deseo Food Products, ARDA Integrated Farm, Libas Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, and Butuan Coconut Products, Inc.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Lorijane D. Sacote underscored the importance of providing local coconut enterprises with opportunities to bring their products to wider markets.
“Trade fairs like these are important because they provide our MSMEs with an avenue to showcase their products, meet potential buyers, establish business linkages, and gain valuable market exposure. More importantly, these opportunities encourage our local enterprises to improve their products, become more competitive, and take advantage of markets beyond Agusan del Norte,” Sacote said.
She added that supporting coconut-based MSMEs goes beyond promoting individual businesses, as stronger enterprises can contribute to the development of the broader coconut value chain and generate opportunities for farmers and communities.
The participating MSMEs showcased a range of value-added coconut products, including coconut water, naturally infused flavored coconut water, virgin coconut oil (VCO), artisan handcrafted chocolates, and premium tableya.
Their participation provided the enterprises with opportunities to promote locally developed products, gain consumer exposure, strengthen business networks, and explore potential markets that could help improve their competitiveness.
The trade fair also demonstrated how processing, product innovation, and value addition can create greater economic opportunities from coconut resources, allowing enterprises to move beyond the sale of raw commodities toward higher-value, market-ready products.
For the participating MSMEs, reaching larger markets can translate into increased business opportunities and stronger demand for their products, while potentially supporting enterprise expansion, employment generation, and additional income for communities involved in the coconut value chain.
The participation was supported by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the DTI through interventions aligned with the CFIDP, reflecting government convergence in advancing coconut enterprise development and market access.
Such support helps connect coconut farmers and MSMEs with opportunities in processing, product development, marketing, and distribution, allowing more players to participate in and benefit from the industry value chain.
For Agusan del Norte and Butuan City, the participation of the four MSMEs demonstrates how government support, innovation, and access to markets can help transform locally sourced agricultural resources into competitive products while creating broader opportunities for enterprise and livelihood development. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
