Coconut farmers’ organizations, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs from across Caraga are showcasing their products and innovations at the 2026 Caraga Coconut Festival, highlighting how the region’s coconut industry is creating new income opportunities.
Held from May 18 to 24 at Robinsons Place Butuan, the festival carries the theme “Niyog 360: One Coconut, Endless Opportunities.” It is led by the Department of Trade and Industry in Caraga (DTI-13) in partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority, Agricultural Training Institute, Philippine Coconut Authority, and Department of Agriculture.
The event is anchored on the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) under Republic Act 11524, also known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, which aims to modernize the sector, reduce poverty, and improve farmers’ livelihoods through enterprise development and value addition.
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A variety of coconut-based products are on display at the festival, ranging from processed food and delicacies to beverages and virgin coconut oil, reflecting the growing shift toward value-added coconut enterprises.
At the Agusan del Norte booth, Lovely Shiela Mae Bulfa, production supervisor at Butuan Coconut Products Incorporated, said their products include coconut water blends with mango and pineapple, vinegar, and other processed goods.
The booth also features items from cooperatives and entrepreneurs in five barangays of Butuan City and two municipalities in Agusan del Norte, giving small producers direct exposure to potential buyers and new markets.
Bulfa said the festival is already helping generate business leads. “Some visitors are inquiring about our products. We are optimistic about establishing market contacts and buyers from other towns and provinces,” she said.
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For coconut farmers’ groups, CFIDP interventions have helped improve productivity and income potential through diversification and intercropping.
Pepito Trazo, chairperson of the Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Cagwait Agriculture Cooperative in Surigao del Sur, said their group has over 100 members managing more than 34 hectares of coconut farms.
Through the program, they received over 2,000 dwarf coconut seedlings in 2023 and 3,500 durian seedlings in 2024, allowing farmers to intercrop coconut, durian, and cacao for additional income streams.
Trazo said members expect initial harvests within two years, while also benefiting from learning sessions on coconut processing and value-added products during the festival.
