In the coconut-growing towns of Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental, where husks once smoldered in open fields and futures felt fragile, a quiet revolution began in 2019. The IRDF Coco 3 Project didn’t arrive with fanfare; it arrived with purpose: to turn waste into wealth, labor into legacy, and community into a living ecosystem of dignity and opportunity.
Six years later, that purpose has bloomed into a blend of resilience, education, and environmental stewardship. From Matanao to Magsaysay and beyond, the project has transformed not just husks, but lives.
Labor That Sends Children to College
At the heart of the IRDF Coconut Farmers Demo Center are stories of families who turned husks into hope — and wages into diplomas.
– Aniano “Nono” Dumama, 60, and his wife Demetria, 62, now earn a steady income through husk processing and have sent both daughters to college.
– Elvie Santiago, 46, a widow and former farm tenant, helped her daughter Jhen graduate with a degree in Education.
– Jose “Bobong” Taborada and Merlyn Taborada transitioned from coconut harvesting to stable work at the center, supporting their child’s college education.
These stories echo across the center’s 54-strong workforce, many of whom are senior citizens, mothers, and former field laborers. Their children now dream bigger: to become engineers, teachers, and community leaders.
“Behind every chipped husk is a family’s dream,” says Ms. Arze G. Glipo, Executive Director of IRDF. “The Coco 3 Project was never just about processing coconut waste; it was about restoring dignity to labor and giving families the means to send their children to school.”
From Scattered Jobs to Steady Shifts
Before Coco 3, rural employment was fragmented and uncertain. Workers relied on seasonal harvests and informal jobs. Some left for overseas work.
The demo center changed that rhythm. Operating seven days a week with flexible shifts, it contributes ₱140,000 weekly to the local economy.
– Two former OFWs, Shiela Estacio and Eulemae Salcedo, chose to stay home and work at the center.
– Twelve indigenous workers, eleven Blaan and one Kaulo, now earn dignified wages.
– Women lead operations in drying, sorting, and logistics.
– Older workers thrive in machine operation and quality control.
“From two eateries to six, from two husk suppliers to six, the demo center has become a heartbeat of rural progress,” says Mr. Don Jimenez, Project Manager.
Husk Power and Community Growth
Biogrow, a key partner in the Coco 3 Project, provides technical guidance and market access to help transform coconut husks into high-value products. Their support enabled the establishment of the Demo Center and connected local farmers to global substrate markets, including China, Japan, and Korea, turning waste into livelihood.
– Over 4.8 million tons of coconut husks are discarded annually in the Philippines, with only 5–10% processed. The Demo Center now contributes to turning this waste into value-producing coco chips, substrates, and organic fertilizers.
– Families report increased household income, better access to education, and greater employment opportunities.
– The center is attracting new domestic markets and commercial partners, opening doors to expanded production and income potential.
In 2019, only 5,000 husks were sourced. By 2025:
– 20,000 husks are processed daily
– Six suppliers now serve the center, up from two
– Sourcing expanded from Matanao to the entire Davao del Sur
“What we used to throw away now feeds our land and our lives,” says a farmer from Kiblawan.
The ripple effect:
– Eateries tripled from two to six
– Sari-sari stores stock more goods
– Peace and order improved
– School gardens flourish with compost from husk byproducts
– Children learn about the circular economy, inspired by their parents’ work
Technical Gains and Local Innovation
The demo center is more than a workplace; it’s a site of innovation:
– Machines adapted for local conditions
– Workers blend traditional knowledge with technical training
– Service providers grew from two husk suppliers to six
– Micro-enterprises and transport jobs emerged
– The center serves as a model for replication across municipalities
Epilogue: The Heart of the Husk
The IRDF Coco 3 Project is more than a processing plant. It is a story of struggle turned into strength, of families lifted by labor, and of communities reborn through environmental stewardship.
From Nono’s daughters in graduation gowns to Elvie’s child preparing to teach, the impact is generational. Husk by husk, the center has chipped away at poverty, isolation, and uncertainty and built a future rooted in pride.
As the project culminates in 2025, one truth stands tall: husks are no longer burned; they are honored. And in every chipped and dried coconut husk, and every delivered sack, there lives a story of transformation.
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