It all began with a simple but powerful vision: to uplift farmers and strengthen rural agriculture through food security and sustainable livelihood initiatives.
From Gardens to Growth: The Birth of APACO
In June 2022, the program "Gulayan at Panasdaan sa Parokya" was launched at Christ the King Parish in Barangay Tungao, Butuan City. What began as a modest community effort quickly blossomed into a transformative movement, made possible through strong partnerships with:
- Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC)-DA Caraga
- Km7 Farmers Producer Cooperative
- Fr. Gilbert Billena - whose leadership brought vision, unity, and purpose
- Christ the King Parish in Brgy. Tungao
- Center for Disaster Preparedness and
With additional support from these partners, they helped establish communal gardens—providing food, fostering resilience, and inspiring a culture of bayanihan and community philanthropy.
As the communal gardens flourished, local farmers began to organize, forming associations and registering with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). They expanded from growing crops to running a community enterprise: selling vegetables, root crops, and growing and processing oyster mushrooms.
Building the Cooperative
Under the guidance of Fr. Gilbert Billena and a passionate team—including John Jeempy Sebusguero, Teofilo Aque Jr., Nilo Calingayan, Jose Sososco III, the late Forcep Chris Del Torre, Joanna Garcia, Nicerel Tomboc, Esterlina Transfiguracion Manzulo, and Marvin Deleverio, Teody Mayo Jr.—these farmer groups and agri-entrepreneurs came together to form the Agusan Processors Agriculture Cooperative (APACO).
Today
Today, APACO continues to grow, bolstered by partnerships such as with Jemel's Kent Mushroom. Together, they revived a processing center in Purok 1B, Barangay Pigdaulan, equipped through the DOST-SETUP Program to support product innovation and sustainable agri-processing.
A Bridge Between Farmers and Opportunity
One of the guiding missions of the Agusan Processors Agriculture Cooperative is to uplift and empower farmers' associations through hands-on training in production, with a strong focus on sustainable agriculture. Yet, many small and emerging farmers' groups remain on the margins, unable to access government programs and vital support because of complex legal requirements and limited resources.
In response, the Cooperative has chosen to stand with them. It has become a bridge between farmers and opportunity — serving as a key partner in capacity building, skills development, and program implementation. Through its strength, experience, and wide network, the Cooperative opens doors that were once closed, ensuring that even the smallest associations can grow, thrive, and take part in building a more resilient and food-secure future.
Our Growing Impact
Though still young, APACO is already creating meaningful change at the grassroots level. Our initiatives focus on both immediate needs and long-term solutions for our farming communities.