On June in 2018, PSFI sealed a partnership with JNJ Oil Industries Inc. for the future of the coconut farmers in Quezon Province. With the Collaboration for Coconut Productivity and Nurturing Farmers Trade or Project COCONUT, PSFI aims to increase farmers’ income and economic self-sufficiency through organizing a cooperative, conducting seminars in managing coconut farms to improve yield, and setting up training programs for processing coconut-based products such as handicrafts and souvenir items. In addition, Shell will be purchasing biofuel raw materials from the farmer beneficiaries.

The pilot sites for the project are Unisan and Agdangan municipalities in Quezon Province, wherein project survey shows that 50% of the farmers rely exclusively on coconut farming and 86% earn below minimum wage. Additionally, most of the farmers are tenants or non-owners of the land they farm.

295 farmers trained on sustainable farming
2 cooperatives established
2 cocohub facilities built