09/05/2025
Nestled in the heart of Narra, Palawan, Elvita Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ELFAMCO) stands as a shining example of how government support and cooperative resilience can turn simple ideas into innovative, market-ready products. As one of the beneficiaries of the inter-agency partnership between the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), ELFAMCO embraced the opportunities presented through a suite of support services. These included capacity-building trainings, business development seminars, value-adding processes, product development assistance, and market exposure initiatives—each carefully designed to elevate agrarian reform beneficiaries to competitive enterprise players.
With a clear vision and strong commitment, ELFAMCO—under its official brand name “Elfamco”—took bold steps to explore innovative rice-based products. One of its earliest successes was the development of “Kapi a Bagas,” a uniquely local rice coffee blend that quickly caught attention for its distinct flavor and cultural resonance. Building on this momentum, the cooperative diversified its product line to include “Sara-Sara,” a rice brew alternative to traditional coffee, and rice crispies, showcasing their versatility and understanding of market trends.
What set Kapi a Bagas apart was not just its innovation but its evolution. By incorporating malunggay and stevia, the cooperative added both nutritional value and health appeal—an intelligent move that aligned with growing consumer preference for functional and health-conscious products.
With the continued guidance and exposure facilitated by the DTI-CARP program along with other DTI major programs including One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen program, ELFAMCO found itself on prominent market promotional platforms such as annual Baragatan Festival: Palawan Souvenir Trade Fair and the MIMAROPA Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair.
Most recently, the participation in the Tatak Pinoy: OBRA MIMAROPA Trade Show 2024 in Makati, City further amplified the market reach, bringing their products to a broader urban market and connecting with key stakeholders and buyers.
Today, Kapi a Bagas is more than just a product—it’s a symbol of what rural innovation, government collaboration, and cooperative spirit can achieve. ELFAMCO’s journey from a small agrarian cooperative to a recognized name in regional trade fairs serves as an inspiring model for other community enterprises. Their story proves that with determination, creativity, and the right support, even the humblest of agricultural products can achieve national recognition and transform livelihoods.