Filipinos call it, “The Tree of Life.” From its seed, fruit and leaves, to its roots, every part of the coconut tree has a wide variety of uses. This is what husband and wife Jerry and Jocelyn Taray from Carmen, Cotabato Province banked on when they decided to go into agribusiness.
The couple’s business venture started in 2004, when they had to return home from their employment in Canada, unable to endure its cold weather. Using the money they saved from working abroad, they invested in the dealership of a local beer and soda products.
After two years, their initial investment prospered, and later, the couple secured a P1.5-million loan from Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to expand their distributorship and dealership business, as well as venture into agribusiness.
That same year, there was a long drought in Mindanao which made it difficult for farmers to plant any crop. The local Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) office had thousands of dwarf coconut seedlings that were originally intended for distribution to farmers. But because of the drought, farmers refused the seedlings, even if they were at a giveaway price.
The drought turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the couple. The local PCA manager convinced Jerry to buy the seedlings and even gave some away for free. After four years of reconditioning the soil, the coconut trees started bearing fruit. In 2011, the couple studied the health benefits of coconuts and its potential to help farmers in their community. Thus was born the fruit of their labor: TreeLife.
Through TreeLife, the Tarays were able to develop a sustainable and reliable source of organic products, such as coco sugar, virgin coconut oil, coconut syrup, coconut jam, and coconut aminos.
Employing farmers, IPs, women
TreeLife turned out to be the couple’s most meaningful venture as it allowed them to help local farmers. They now employ over 800 farmers who help in harvesting coconuts and in processing their products.
“Our farmers are earning quite well from collecting coconut sap. We also have a lot of indigenous people and women who are involved in the processing of coconut sugar, banana chips, and coconut oil. We prioritize a workforce of women. We always believe that the true essence of the quality of our products comes from our farmers, our workers in the factory, and our sales team. They are all involved, from the farm to the factory,” Jerry said.
Through LANDBANK’s assistance, the Tarays have also expanded their products. They now export their organic virgin coconut oil, coco syrup, and their latest addition: banana chips and coconut wine.
“We’re very happy with LANDBANK,” said Jocelyn, “We’ve been with them for 13 years, and the advantage is that, kahit malayo ka, pupuntahan ka nila.”
Jerry added, “As farmers, we are instrumental in nourishing the land and harnessing its produce. That is our role in this world. But without an institution that encourages farmers to pursue entrepreneurship, it would just be a solo venture, and not a community-based enterprise that exchanges goods and services. We are fortunate to have LANDBANK in the countryside to support farmers into becoming agripreneurs, and be responsible stewards of the earth.”
With their hard work and perseverance, along with the diligence of their local farmers, TreeLife has now become a world-class coconut processing company and is well-known in other countries. The company now exports 90% of its products, especially the coco sugar and syrup, to international organic and health food manufacturers.