Tried at least 5 livelihood projects in a span of 7 years and all of it were short-lived that caused financial losses to KAAGAP Development Multi-purpose Cooperative (KAAGAPMUCO). But with strong determination and taking lessons from every failure, KAAGAPMUCO now serves the bigger pie in the market for coco net in Caraga region.
It was in 2010 when coco-coir technology was introduced to KAAGAPMUCO by the Philippine Coconut Authority ( PCA). It started with 15 twining machines, 2 loom-weaving equipment and 1 decorticating machine. Its production capacity then was only 30-50 rolls of coco net per month with a total value of PHP 125,000.00 only. In 2012, KAAGAPMUCO started to have production problems and had difficulty serving the growing market demand.
Mr. Maximino Robles, a diligent manager of KAAGAPMUCO discussed his problem with DTI-Agusan del Sur. He cannot allow for this business to have the same fate of their previous livelihood projects. KAAGAPMUCO is not exempt from the usual organizational setbacks. But surviving in a number of failures, KAAGAPMUCO is bound to succeed.
KAAGAPMUCO was offered a Shared Service Facility ( SSF). Massive training expanded to 11 barangays of San Francisco through the DTI- Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to prepare and cope with bulk orders. In 2013, DTI granted PHP .5 Million worth of SSF ( 85 units manual twining machine, 10 units electric twining machine and 13 units loom weaving equipment).
Today, KAAGAPMUCO operates in full capacity with 400 workers (men and women) spread in 11 communities of San Francisco. Monthly production of coco net grows from 50 to 300 rolls with a total market value of PHP .7 Million. In 2014, sales amounted to PHP 8.0 Million and rose to PHP 12.0 Million in 2015.
With mining companies in the region and several other contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways ( DPWH) as its regularly customers, KAAGAPMUCO breaks its records of the past. Its coco net business will surely live longer to provide income not only to the coco farmers but to the jobless women and out of school youth. Coco net has important uses; one is to prevent soil erosion.
KAAGAP Development Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KAAGAPMUCO) of Agusan del Sur is a testament that even through shared ownership of a community enterprise, it is possible to overcome difficulties through perseverance, determination and teamwork.
KAAGAPMUCO began as a small farmers organization established in 1991. It was officially registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in June 14, 2004. The production area is located in Hubang, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.