In Barangay Bulawan, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, a once modest group of Indigenous Subanen coconut farmers found a way to turn what was once agricultural waste into a thriving business opportunity.

In 2021, the Bulawan Coconut Farmers Association (BUCOFA) began producing coco coir, coco peat, and ropes from coconut husks—products they proudly showcased during local agro-fishery trade fairs such as Araw ng Lapuyan and Araw ng Zamboanga del Sur. What started as a humble livelihood initiative has since grown into a sustainable and profitable enterprise that empowers not only their members but also their community.

Recognizing their potential, BUCOFA became part of the Dinas Small Coconut Farmers Federation (DISCOFAF) cluster and benefitted from the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), specifically under the Second Additional Financing co-financed by the European Union (AF2-EU). Through this partnership, BUCOFA received a Php3.4-million coco coir and geo-net processing facility in March 2023, which was fully completed and operational by June 8, 2024. The facility came with decorticating, carding, and coir separation machines, 48 twining machines, weaving units, and a hauling truck.

Today, BUCOFA—now officially the Bulawan Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (BUCOFAC) as of August 7, 2024—is a key player in the region’s coco coir industry. Alongside lead proponent DISCOFAF, BUCOFAC has become a trusted supplier of coco coir products across Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9). The demand is especially high for coco peat, which is required by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for coconut nurseries and is widely used by farmers and gardening enthusiasts.

With a supply agreement secured with Amparitas Integrated Farm and Coconut Manufacturing, BUCOFAC and DISCOFAF commit to producing 200 rolls of geo-nets and at least 60,000 hanks monthly, ensuring stable income and consistent market presence. Additionally, government infrastructure projects from DPWH and DA-PRDP further drive demand for coco geo-nets and logs as bio-engineering materials for erosion control and slope protection.

This surge in demand has also created livelihood opportunities for many in the community. Family members of BUCOFAC farmers now work as rope twiners and net weavers in the comfort of the facility’s spacious processing area. The enterprise has already earned over Php100,000 in net income—enough to support its transition from an association into a registered cooperative, which included notarial and regulatory fees and the closure of previous bank and business registrations.

The coop also purchased the adjacent 930-square meter lot to expand their site, and is continuously investing in the growth of their business and people. BUCOFAC has been recognized by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as a Learning Site for Agriculture, sharing their hands-on knowledge and technologies with fellow farmers and aspiring entrepreneurs. They are also engaged in the Department of Trade and Industry’s RAPID Youth Enterprise Development initiative, nurturing young leaders in the coconut sector.

Recently, the PCA awarded BUCOFAC a Certificate of Good Standing, recognizing the cooperative’s compliance and commitment as a development partner.

From coconut husks to cooperative success, BUCOFAC is a living testament that with the right support, determination, and community spirit, even waste can be transformed into wealth. (Remai Alejado, RPCO 9)