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The Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc. (FSSI) supports grassroots agri-enterprises through its financing programs, including its partnership with Tagoc HVC Agriculture Cooperative in Barangay Tagoc, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
Tagoc HVC Agriculture Cooperative began as a farmers’ association rooted in the local community, operating for five years with the shared goal of strengthening livelihoods among farmers and agricultural workers. The cooperative’s operations are seasonal, aligned with planting and harvest cycles. During cultivation periods, it provides farm inputs such as fertilizers, while during harvest season, it serves as a marketing channel, consolidating and selling members’ produce directly to consumers.
At present, the cooperative is engaged in the trading of rice, sugarcane, and vegetables. During non-harvest periods, members also rely on the cooperative for rice and basic goods, helping sustain internal trade even when agricultural production slows.
Through FSSI’s support, the cooperative is venturing into value-added coconut products, specifically virgin coconut oil (VCO) and coconut soap production, through the provision of seed capital. This initiative supports coconut farmers by ensuring the purchase of harvested coconuts and helps create more stable and sustainable income opportunities beyond seasonal agri-trading.
The project aims to expand the cooperative’s supplier base by engaging five initial cluster groups of farmers and gradually adding 15 individual coconut farmers over the next three years. By strengthening value chains and promoting inclusive agri-enterprise development, FSSI supports Tagoc HVC Agriculture Cooperative in building resilient livelihoods and advancing community-led economic growth in Negros Occidental.
