In the remote upland community of Sitio Cadahondahonan, Santiago, Agusan del Norte, abaca farmers have experienced a transformation in their lives and livelihoods. For years, these farmers faced immense challenges, including difficult journeys across rough terrain, limited market access, and the ever-present threat of conflicts. But thanks to recent government support and community resilience, these hardships are beginning to ease, offering a brighter future.
At the heart of this transformation is Joel Tandugon, Chair of the Cadahondahonan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (CARBC). Joel remembers the days of barefoot treks along rocky paths and muddy fields, with sacks of rice on their heads and abaca fiber slung over their shoulders. “We often walked instead of riding a motorcycle due to the dangerous road conditions,” Joel shared. The lack of infrastructure and poor quality of abaca fibers held back their profits and growth potential, making everyday life an uphill battle.
Despite numerous attempts to form a unified farmers’ organization, it was only with the support of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Project ConVERGE that the dream came to life. Originally organized as the Cadahondahonan Farmers Association (CAFA) in 1990, the group evolved into the Cadahondahonan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (CARBC) in 2016. This change came with renewed government support, specifically through the TUJAKITSAN Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) cluster under DAR’s Project ConVERGE, which invested essential funds and resources into the community.
One of the most significant developments was the construction of a 1.667-kilometer farm-to-market road and a shed-house for abaca storage. These improvements, as Joel attests, have been invaluable. “Our deliveries have become more efficient with the improved road conditions. In the past, transporting 600 kilos of abaca was a struggle; now, our yields and delivery capacity have substantially increased,” he explained. With enhanced roads and support, more than a thousand farmers in the area can now transport their goods to market with far greater ease.
CARBC’s progress has been further strengthened with the allocation of P1.5 million from DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (DAR-CRFPSP) in May 2024. This funding allowed the cooperative to acquire eight portable stripping machines, critical equipment for processing abaca fiber to meet market standards. Additionally, a hauling truck worth P1.9 million is expected in the third quarter of this year, which will help improve the efficiency of their operations even further.
Through Project ConVERGE’s training sessions, farmers have gained skills to improve both the quality and quantity of their abaca production. This increase in capacity has propelled CARBC to emerge as a significant abaca consolidator in the region, solidifying their place within the TUJAKITSAN ARC cluster.
With a strengthened infrastructure and cooperative spirit, the future looks promising. Joel envisions passing down a thriving cooperative to the next generation. “DAR-Project ConVERGE and CRFPSP understood our struggles and have been dedicated to our development,” Joel said gratefully. “We now have the resources to create a better life for our families and future generations.”
As Sitio Cadahondahonan’s abaca farmers press forward with renewed hope and stability, CARBC is paving the way toward economic empowerment, proving that resilience and strategic support can indeed transform a community.
