Glossary, awards, organic certification, youth programs, and everything else you need to succeed.
Key terms in Bisaya (Cebuano) and English. Essential for older members and community organizing.
| Bisaya (Cebuano) | English | Definition / Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Koperatiba | Cooperative | Organization where members share profits and decisions equally. |
| Abuno | Fertilizer | Chemical or organic substance added to soil to promote plant growth. |
| Abut | Pest/Disease | Insects, fungi, or other organisms that damage crops. |
| Binhi | Seeds | Planting material. "Binhi sa humay" = rice seeds. |
| Dupa/Dam-igan | Irrigation | Water supply system for crops. "Dupa" = canal, "Dam-igan" = water source. |
| Gurop | Harvest | The act of gathering mature crops. "Gurop season" = harvest time. |
| Hugas-an | Thresher | Machine or manual tool to separate grain from stalk. |
| Kayo/Kahoy | Wood/Timber | Tree materials used for construction, fuel, or fencing. |
| Lugay | Rice Paddy | Flooded field where rice is grown. "Lugay system" = rice farming method. |
| Niog/Lubi | Coconut | Coconut palm tree and its fruit. "Niog" = old term, "Lubi" = common term. |
| Palay | Unmilled Rice | Rice still in the husk. Becomes "bugas" (milled rice) after processing. |
| Pamabini | Seedling | Young plant started in nursery before transplanting to field. |
| Panumtanong | Seedbed/Nursery | Prepared area for starting seeds before transplanting. |
| Sabod | Fishing Net | Fishing equipment. Also used metaphorically for "gathering" resources. |
| Sako | Sack | 50kg sack used for rice, corn, fertilizer. Standard unit of measurement. |
| Suki | Regular Buyer | Loyal customer or trading partner. "Magsuki" = to trade regularly. |
| Tanas/Tanum | Plant/Crop | General term for any cultivated plant. "Tanas" = to plant. |
| Tuba | Coconut Sap Wine | Alcoholic drink from fermented coconut sap. Traditional in southern Cebu. |
| Uwan | Rain | Rainfall. "Uwan season" = rainy season. Critical for rain-fed farms. |
| Ayuda | Aid/Assistance | Government or NGO assistance. Often seed, fertilizer, or cash aid. |
| Baylo-Baylo | Barter/Trade | Exchanging goods without money. Still practiced in remote barangays. |
| Dugay | Long Duration | "Dugay na" = it's been a long time. Used for long maturing crops. |
| Pasmo | Heat Stroke | Sun-related illness. Common risk during fieldwork in dry season. |
| Limpyo | Clean | "Limpyo nga pamulong" = clean farming practices. Important for organic certification. |
Winning CDA awards brings prestige, media coverage, and additional government support. Here's how to qualify.
Given by: CDA Regional Office VII
Criteria:
How to Apply: Submit application to CDA-7 by August 31 each year. Include 3 years of audited financials, member list, and community impact report.
Given by: Philippine Cooperative Commission
Criteria:
Prize: Trophy, certificate, ₱100,000–₱500,000 cash grant, and national media exposure.
Criteria: Win Best Cooperative award 3 times in 5 years.
Benefits: Permanent recognition, priority access to CDA programs, exemption from certain reporting requirements, and featured in CDA national publications.
Cebu Hall of Famers: Argao Farmers Development Coop (1997), Bogo City Integrated Coop (1999), Carcar Integrated Farmers (1995).
Deadline: August 31 annually. Submit to CDA Region VII, Cebu City.
Organic produce commands 20–50% higher prices. Here's the step-by-step path to organic certification in the Philippines.
Decide to go organic. Stop all synthetic pesticides/fertilizers. Document current practices. Attend DA-Organic orientation seminar (free, quarterly in Cebu City).
36-month conversion for annual crops (vegetables, corn). 24 months for perennials (coconut, mango). During conversion: must use only organic methods, maintain records, allow inspector visits.
Apply to OCCP (Organic Certifying Council of the Philippines) or OCSSP (Organic Certification Center of the Philippines). Submit farm maps, practices log, and conversion plan.
Inspector visits farm. Checks soil, water, inputs, records, buffer zones. May test produce for chemical residues. Cooperative can bundle applications to save ₱10,000–₱20,000 per farm.
Receive organic certificate (valid 1 year, renewable). Use certified organic label. Sell at premium prices to organic stores, hotels, and export markets. Annual renewal inspection required.
Per Farm: ₱15,000–₱50,000 (2–3 year total)
Cooperative Rate: ₱10,000–₱30,000 per farm (bundled)
Includes: Application fee, inspection, lab testing, certificate
DA Subsidy: Organic Agriculture Program covers 40–60% of certification costs. Apply through DA-7.
Vegetables: +30–50% vs. conventional
Rice: +40–80% (organic rice sells ₱60–₱80/kg vs. ₱40–₱45)
Mango: +25–40% in premium stores
Coconut (VCO): +50–100% for certified organic
Best buyers: Rustan's, Healthy Options, Landers organic section, hotel kitchens.
Dalaguete: Highland vegetable organic cluster (12 farms)
Balamban: Community-supported agriculture (CSA) model
Argao: Organic coconut and root crop cluster
Cebu City: Urban organic gardens in 5 barangays
Network: Cebu Organic Farmers Association — monthly meetings, shared knowledge.
Attracting youth to farming is critical. These programs provide scholarships, training, and startup support for young Cebuanos.
What: Commission on Higher Education + DA scholarship for agriculture students.
Benefits: Full tuition, monthly allowance (₱5,000–₱8,000), book allowance, summer farming practicum.
Eligibility: Filipino, 16–25 years old, high school graduate, parents are farmers/fishers.
Schools in Cebu: Cebu Technological University, University of San Carlos, Cebu Eastern College.
Apply: CHRDP-CHED office, Cebu City. Deadline: March 31 annually.
What: Free skills training in modern agriculture and agri-business.
Courses: Crop Production NC II, Organic Agriculture Production NC II, Agricultural Machinery Operations, Farm Machinery Servicing.
Duration: 15–32 days per course.
Benefits: Free training, assessment, and NC certificate. Some courses include starter kits.
Enroll: TESDA Cebu Provincial Office, Cebu City. Walk-in or online registration.
What: DA's initiative to attract 1 million young farmers by 2030.
Benefits: Farm machinery access, seeds and inputs, training, market linkage support.
Focus: Value-add processing, agritech, organic farming, urban agriculture.
Eligibility: 18–30 years old, engaged in or planning to engage in agriculture.
Apply: DA-7 Regional Office, Cebu City.
What: DTI program for young agri-entrepreneurs.
Benefits: Business skills training, mentorship, ₱10,000–₱50,000 seed capital through SB Corp.
Programs: KABAYAN (OFW youth), SAPAT (sari-sari store), Negosyo Center consultations.
Eligibility: 18–30 years old, Filipino citizen.
Visit: DTI Negosyo Center, Cebu City. Free consultation.
Steps to attract and retain young members in your cooperative:
✅ Create a Youth Committee within the coop (ages 18–30)
✅ Offer reduced share capital for youth (₱500–₱1,000 vs. ₱5,000)
✅ Designate 2 Youth seats on the Board of Directors
✅ Partner with TESDA for free skills training
✅ Use social media (Facebook, TikTok) to showcase farming success
✅ Organize "Farm-to-Table" events for young professionals
✅ Create internship programs with local agriculture students
✅ Celebrate young achievers at annual General Assembly
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Note: Price data and contact details are current as of 2026. Check for updates when you have internet.
Real stories from cooperative founders and members across Cebu province.
From 5 founding members in 1995 to 289 members today. Their journey through typhoons, market crashes, and triumph. Featured in CDA National Awards 2018.
"Ang cooperative mao ang among pamilya. Kini among karuyag, among tabangay." — Board Chairman
(Translation: "The cooperative is our family. This is what we love, what we help.")
How a small coconut cooperative in northern Cebu built a VCO processing plant and now sells nationwide. From ₱50K capital to ₱28M annual sales in 20 years.
"Dili na lang mi mag-copra. Among i-process aron mas dako ang income." — General Manager
(Translation: "We no longer just sell copra. We process it for bigger income.")
Young farmers using drones and drip irrigation to grow premium vegetables at 600m elevation. Direct contracts with SM Supermarkets. A model for modern Philippine farming.
"Ang technology makatabang sa farmers, basta buhaton lang dengan." — Youth Committee Chair
(Translation: "Technology helps farmers, as long as it's done correctly.")
Download and print these flyers for community organizing drives and membership recruitment.
One-page flyer explaining cooperative benefits in Bisaya and English. Designed for posting in barangay halls and churches.
Click to print
Formal invitation template for the founding community meeting. Includes agenda, date/time fields, and location.
Click to print
Visual poster showing 6 key benefits of joining a cooperative. Bright, eye-catching design for community display.
Click to print
Locations of award-winning and successful cooperatives across the province.
📍 Argao, Cebu | 🏆 CDA Hall of Famer
267 members. ₱32.5M annual sales. Integrated rice-sugar-cattle system. Operating since 1997.
📍 Bogo, Cebu | 🏆 CDA Regional Award 2020
234 members. ₱28.1M annual sales. VCO production with nationwide distribution.
📍 Carcar, Cebu | 🏆 Best Cooperative 2018 & 2021
289 members. ₱22.4M annual sales. Oldest coop in southern Cebu (since 1995).
📍 Dalaguete, Cebu | 🏆 Organic Innovation Award
189 members. ₱9.6M annual sales. SM Supermarket direct supplier for highland vegetables.
📍 Balamban, Cebu | 🏆 DA Best Practices Award
201 members. ₱16.8M annual sales. 5-hectare demo farm with DA training center.
📍 Medellin, Cebu | 🏆 Organic Muscovado Pioneer
178 members. ₱19.2M annual sales. "Medellin Gold" muscovado sold nationwide in organic stores.