Davao cacao co-op relishes sweet success via LANDBANK partnership

From its humble beginnings to the success it is now reaping, the growth of the Biao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (BARBCO) is deeply rooted in the soil of collective endeavor, resilience, and fruitful partnerships.

BARBCO was established in 1992 by former employees of the defunct Philippine Cocoa States Corporation, and initially ventured into the Lakatan banana industry.

The cooperative has since grown into a prominent agriculture player in the region, primarily engaged in cocoa production, marketing, and cocoa liquor and chocolate production. It now has 41 regular members and 215 associate members.

Its journey, however, was not without challenges. BARBCO General Manager Guadalupe Ocial admits that the 200 hectares of land awarded to them as Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBS) was a significant opportunity, but needed much work to really establish a productive and sustainable business.

They needed enough working capital to fuel their growth-and this was where the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) stepped in.

A PARTNERSHIP ROOTED IN BANANAS