Agos ram pump - Coca Cola Philippines - AIDFI - Negros Occidental small sugar farmers

Agos ram pump - Coca Cola Philippines - AIDFI - Negros Occidental small sugar farmers

Coca-Cola Gives Agos Ram Pump for Small Sugar Farmers in Negros Occidental

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An Agos Ram Pump from Coca-Cola benefits Negros Occidental small sugar farmers

Coca-Cola supports the local sugar industry, particularly the small farmers in Negros Occidental. The company has unveiled plans to build water access facilities in the province. They will be using the self-sustaining Agos ram pump model to provide irrigation for block farmers in the sugar-rich province.

Agos ram pump - Coca Cola Philippines - AIDFI - Negros Occidental small sugar farmers
The ceremonial opening of the water pipe from the Agos ram pump by Coca Cola Philippines President Winn Everhart. La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan cheers on.

What is Block Farming

Block farming is a “method of grouping together small parcels of contiguous land to create a large tract of arable land.” Because of this, farmers are able to pool their resources together to cultivate a more productive farm.

Agos ram pump - Coca Cola Philippines - AIDFI - Negros Occidental small sugar farmers
The sugarcane farm in La Castellana is one of the beneficiaries of the Agos ram pump project.

“This Agos ram pump project is in line with our commitment to the sugar industry, particularly to the small farmers. We have promised that Coca-Cola Philippines will always be their partner. By finding ways of improving their farming, we are also helping achieve a stable local supply of sugar – an ingredient that is also integral to our business,” said Winn Everhart, president and general manager of Coca-Cola Philippines .

Agos Ram Pump Turnover

A ceremonial turnover of the water access facility was recently conducted at Sitio Dama in La Castellana. Everhart, together with employees from Coca-Cola Philippines, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, joined La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan.

Agos ram pump - Coca Cola Philippines - AIDFI - Negros Occidental small sugar farmers
Agos ram pump installation in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

Together with its implementing partner, the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc (AIDFI), Coca-Cola Philippines is looking to complete five more Agos ram pumps for block farming communities. These will impact 759 hectares of land used for sugarcane and rice in Negros Occidental. More than 500 households will also benefit from this project.

Agos ram pump - Coca Cola Philippines - AIDFI - Negros Occidental small sugar farmers
Agos ram pumps are set up by AIDFI.

Beneficiaries of the Agos Ram Pump

The Agos ram pump water access facilities will be set up in the following area by AIDFI:

  • Sitio Cambuktot, Brgy. Mansalanao in La Castellana
  • Hacienda Mercedes, Brgy. Ma-ao in Bago City
  • Purok Talong, Brgy. Ilijan in Bago City
  • Sitio Maninit, Brgy. San Isidro, in Toboso
  • Sitio Tayao and Brgy. Camalanda-an in Cauayan.
Agos ram pump - Coca Cola Philippines - AIDFI - Negros Occidental small sugar farmers
Mr. Everhart looks at the water flowing freely to the reservoir in La Castellana.

Since 2012, Coca-Cola has constructed over 43 Agos ram pump facilities in Negros. These facilities provide water access to upland communities who live far from their water sources. “We continue to strive to return to the communities or the environment every drop of water that we use in producing beverages,” said Cecile Alcantara, president of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines.

About the Agos Program

The Agos ram pump program of Coca-Cola is part of its global water stewardship initiative. It aims to safely return every drop of water the company uses in the production of its various beverages. This is helping the environment as well as the local communities.

Agos ram pump - Coca Cola Philippines - AIDFI - Negros Occidental small sugar farmers
Mr. Everhart with some of the beneficiaries in La Castellana.

Other water collection and access facilities made available by the Agos program include rainwater harvesting systems and gravity-fed installations.

11 thoughts on “Coca-Cola Gives Agos Ram Pump for Small Sugar Farmers in Negros Occidental

  1. This is really great, I love seeing good kind acts and organizations that do good for others. It reminds me that there is good in this world, you just have to look for it more 😉

  2. How awesome to hear that coco-cola are helping out with this great cause. It seems like it will be a great help to the local community!

  3. It’s good that Coca-Cola is involved in water stewardship even though I do not like the beverage and what its health impacts. In a region where it uses up a lot of potable water with not enough left for local arable farming, it’s really great that they’re returning back what was taken from the community.

  4. Oh wow I love this and good on Coca Cola for helping with this project. Its great to see then giving something back like that! They really use up a lot of water so the Agos Ram Pump is a great help!

  5. This sounds so awesome! I’ve always loved what the Coca Cola company do when it comes to community development and it’s nice to see them giving the pump to farmers. Very commendable!

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