Corazon Malano, 72, lives in Baang, Catigbian, Bohol, where farming is a way of life. At an early age, she learned the value of hard work on her family’s coconut farm. When she started her own family, coconut farming became her main source of income. Since 1975, she has relied on coconut farming to support her family, send her children to school, provide food, and invest in small ventures, such as raising livestock and growing rice.

For nearly 50 years, her life was shaped by the rhythm of the land and the coconut harvests that her family depended on. “Coconut farming is dependable and brings a reliable income,” she says.

Life as a coconut farmer has always had its challenges. Because the price of copra changes, some seasons were good, while others barely provided enough to get by. In good times, she could earn up to 10,000 pesos from her 200 coconut trees, but during bad times, she had to find other ways to make ends meet. Corazon never considered giving up, despite these struggles.

Then came December 16, 2021. Typhoon Odette, one of the strongest typhoons to hit the Philippines, swept through her community. Its strong winds uprooted coconut trees, destroyed homes, and left entire communities uncertain about the future.

For Corazon, the loss was personal. “It’s like saying goodbye to a family member who has helped us come this far,” she says. The loss was immense, not just financially, but emotionally. Coconut farming had built her life, and now she wondered how to start over.

With most of her coconut trees gone, the future seemed bleak. She worried that recovery would take years and feared that she and other coconut farmers might never get back what they lost.

A Renewed Sense of Hope

Then came the RISE Coco (Recovery Intervention for Severely Affected Coconut Farming Communities of Bohol by Super Typhoon Odette) Project, which brought immediate support and a clear plan for long-term recovery. Through the project, she was able to replant coconut trees and rebuild her farm.

The project’s training was especially helpful. She attended sessions on Good Agricultural Practices and learned new techniques to help her farm succeed. The lessons introduced lasting methods to make her farm resilient in the future. She learned about standard planting practices, like the proper spacing between trees to ensure healthy growth. She also learned how to properly use organic fertilizers to give her trees the right nutrients at the right time.

“I was happy because this project didn’t just help us recover our farms, it also gave us knowledge on how to improve our practices,” she says. “Now, we know how to plant better, how to take care of the trees, and how to ensure that they grow stronger against strong winds and heavy rains.”

Community and Lasting Change

The RISE Coco Project’s Livelihood Support Program also brought much-needed changes. The Baang Organic Small Coconut Farmers Association (BOSCOFA), which Corazon leads, focused on producing organic fertilizer and trading copra. This program gave them another way to earn money while waiting for the new trees to grow. This allowed farmers in the organization to improve their financial situation.

The livelihood support program also provided training to help her and her fellow farmers develop the skills needed to keep their collective business going. She learned how to produce and market organic fertilizers and ensure their group’s financial stability.

“This was a huge help for us,” Corazon shares. “Before, our organization was barely active. But with this program, our members became more engaged. We saw hope, and we worked together to make things better.”

The project’s effects were felt throughout the community. Farmers who had been unsure about the future now had something to work toward. The organization became more active and united. Corazon saw a new sense of purpose among her fellow farmers. Where there was once uncertainty, there was now determination.

For Corazon, the project was not just about recovering lost trees; it was about rebuilding confidence in the future of coconut farming. It gave them the tools to recover and reminded them of their strength as a community.

“The RISE Coco Project has significantly impacted our lives,” she says. “It did not only encourage us to rehabilitate our farms. It also gave hope to the farming families in our community.”

Now, when Corazon looks at the young coconut trees on her farm, she sees more than a source of income. She sees a future where farmers like her are better prepared, more knowledgeable, and more resilient. The road to recovery is still long, but with the right support and a willingness to keep going, she knows they are on the right path.

Story and Photos: Hannson Namoc

The RISE Coco project is a partnership anchored on a global agreement between Cargill and CARE International to work together to implement programs that would rehabilitate livelihoods impacted by disasters, support recovery and promote food security of affected farming communities. It is being implemented by CARE Philippines and its partner, the Cebubohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center.