The Philippines, renowned as one of the top coconut producers globally, ranks second in coconut exports worldwide. However, the industry is currently grappling with significant challenges. According to the Philippine Coconut Authority, 20% of the country’s coconut trees are aging and unproductive. To address this issue, Coco Mama, the leading gata (coconut milk) brand in the Philippines, has launched its “Save Our Coconuts” initiative, aimed at revitalizing the coconut farming industry.
As part of the “Save Our Coconuts” project, Coco Mama is committed to distributing 100,000 high-quality coconut seedlings over the next five years. This long-term effort will replace the country’s senile coconut trees, ensuring a sustainable income for smallholder Filipino farmers. Through this initiative, Coco Mama aims to play a significant role in restoring the health of the Philippine coconut industry while providing better livelihoods for farmers.
“Through the ‘Save Our Coconuts’ project, we are taking actionable steps to provide quality seedlings to smallholder farming communities,” said Bryan Lingan, Marketing Director of Coco Mama. “Our mission is to bring joy to Filipino households with our beloved gata products, and part of that joy comes from knowing we’re giving back to the hardworking coconut farmers who sustain the industry.”
The project was launched in General Santos City, South Cotabato, on World Coconut Day. A tree-planting activity, spearheaded by Coco Mama’s brand ambassador Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, marked the occasion. In partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority, City Environment and Natural Resources Office – General Santos City, the Local Government Unit of General Santos City, and coconut farmers, the event was a symbol of the brand’s dedication to the cause.
Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo expressed her pride in being part of the initiative, saying, “It’s easy to overlook the immense effort our farmers put into producing everyday essentials like gata. With the ‘Save Our Coconuts’ project, I’m not only promoting traditional Filipino recipes but also helping make a difference in the lives of those who grow the food we enjoy.”
Coco Mama’s “Save Our Coconuts” project aligns with the Philippine Coconut Authority’s broader mission to rehabilitate the coconut industry and uplift the lives of Filipino coconut farmers. By distributing high-quality seedlings and engaging local communities, the initiative promises to have a lasting positive impact.
For more details and updates, visit Coco Mama on Facebook at /CocoMamaPhilippines or follow @cocomamaph on Instagram.
