Program Description

This program aims to improve the lives of small coconut farmers by introducing coffee and cacao plants between their coconut trees. This method of intercropping provides farmers with a sustainable opportunity to boost their income while preserving their current crops.

The project focuses on organizing farmers into groups or clusters, providing training and support services, and encouraging their participation in the entire process. It aims to strengthen existing coconut farmer organizations and cooperatives to manage coffee and cacao production, processing, and marketing.

Selected beneficiaries will receive high-quality coffee and cacao seedlings, fertilizers, and other necessary inputs along with technical assistance and help with finding markets for their products. To ensure sustainability and outreach, a Pay-It-Forward scheme through establishment of community-based nurseries (CBN) for coffee and cacao with proper planting material certification and nursery accreditation under the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) shall be implemented. Farmers will grow and donate coffee and cacao seedlings to the next group of beneficiaries, creating a self-sustaining cycle and reaching more families.