Budding entrepreneur finds break in coco husk venture

CEBU, Philippines - After realizing the huge market potential of the coconut husk byproduct in both domestic and international market, a would-be entrepreneur is now looking at capitalizing on this venture to help people from the countryside generate additional income in today’s crisis-laden economy.

In an interview, Margaret Lim said that together with her husband, they are currently looking at suppliers of coconut husks all over Cebu to kick off their start-up business venture.

She said that although they have not officially started their business yet; they already have a major client from an industrial firm who is waiting for their products, which could be used in matting and as stuffing for sofa beds, among others.

Lim said that coconut husks could be used for varied purposes and because of its unlimited uses, its marketability even in the domestic scene is already enormous.

 “Coconut husks are usually thrown away so we figured that instead of throwing it, our people from the countryside can collect it and sell it to us and we can make use of it by making it into coco cubes and coco fiber. This kind of livelihood project will help people from the countryside earn additional income,” said Lim.

The couple is buying coco husks for around P0.25 to P0. 30 per kilo and they are looking for unlimited supplies of these byproduct, which should not be more than six months old.

These coco husks will be formed into coco cubes and fibers after undergoing a decorticating process through a decorticating machine and the end product are the ones to be sold to their client, said Lim.

She said that dry coco husks could be used to make cubes for breeding orchids because it can absorb water.

“Coco husks have mixed uses and it has a huge demand even in the domestic market. Right now, we are looking for unlimited supply because the volume that we will need is very big and our initial suppliers still could not meet the demand needed,” said Lim.

She said that as of the moment, they are still eyeing the local demand although there is also a huge prospect abroad because of the many uses of coco husks such as in irrigation and even in industrial purposes.

The huge business prospect of coco husk was first realized in Luzon and so the couple has decided to venture in this looking at it as a good way to help Filipinos in the countryside counter the effects of the on-going financial crisis.

“In today’s crisis, this kind of livelihood opportunity can really help our brothers and sisters in the countryside earn additional income. The demand for coco husks is very big so we urge them to take advantage of this prospect,” said Lim.

Currently, the Lims are looking at suppliers from Lutopan, Toledo and other areas and even the mayor of Balamban has also expressed his optimism in this opportunity because they have heaps of coco husks which are not utilized as these are just byproducts of the coco shells their people used for making coal and native jewelry.

Once the couple find sufficient coco husk supply, they are planning to go full blast with their operation taking into consideration the huge demand in the market. 

Meanwhile, DTI NERBAC center manager Minerva Yap said that they are currently helping the couple in looking for suppliers because they saw it as a good opportunity for the people in the countryside to augment their income.

Yap welcomes everyone interested to supply these demanded products to contact their office at the DTI NERBAC.