Shell and JNJ create livelihood training for Coconut Farmers

Title: Shell #ProjectCoconut

Duration: 4:09

Description:

 Discover how Shell is helping build a sustainable future for Filipino coconut farmers and in creating clean energy.

Shell #ProjectCoconut Transcript

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Wind rustling

VO

The Filipino farmer. Versatile, resilient, and hardworking. Tirelessly harvesting the land that provides us food and resources.

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Lucena, Quezon

VO

In Lucena, Quezon, coconut farming is the main livelihood for its residents. However with long periods of waiting and little to no productivity, the farmers are in a struggle to make ends meet.

We believe that like the tree of life, with its multitude of capabilities, So should the farmers be able to do more with their full potential. This is Project Coconut.

Henry Estopedo

Ever since I stopped schooling, I've been working as a farmer. Our life here is very difficult.

Elisa Sebuc

I mostly work at home, we have a small store, and then I also help in harvesting coconuts. Sometimes budget is tight. There are times when we don't have any finances left.

Henry Estopedo

Picking the coconuts takes four days. And gathering them takes that long too. Then, peeling the coconuts takes two days. If there are fast workers, I usually job it out because it’s too hard to do it myself.

Jessie Calooy

I force myself to work; it isn’t an option for me not to because I have no one else to depend on. But I can still manage. However, I need to rest sometimes. Anyway, harvesting is seasonal.

Henry Estopedo

I’m just a tenant of the landowner, I get half of the profits. So if you think about it, it really isn’t enough.

Elisa Sebuc

There were 2 week when we didn’t earn anything.

Jessie Calooy

What I want to happen is to improve my farming and to grow any blessing that comes. That’s what I will nurture. Perhaps, this is my fate.

VO

Together at Shell, in partnership with JNJ Oil Industries, we envision a more practical livelihood program for the farmers.

To provide them with alternative opportunities to make a living so they can support their families, give them a better future, and a more sustainable way of living.

Sankie Sambulan

Social Performance & Social Investment Manager, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.

The aim of this project is to first improve the produce of the coconut farmers by increasing yield and also, at the same time, providing alternative sources of livelihood to increase their income.

Sankie Sambulan VO

Program interventions include provision of technical and entrepreneurship training,

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Farmers planting seeds

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Technical entrepreneurship training

Sankie Sambulan VO

additional livelihood and income streams,

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Farmers looking at farming items

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Additional livelihood and income streams

Sankie Sambulan VO

and support for organizational development

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Farmers listening during a seminar

Sankie Sambulan VO

through the formation of cooperatives,

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Farmer speaking in front and other farmers listening

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Formation of cooperatives

Sankie Sambulan VO

 and conducting of workshops on financial management

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Speaker in front, farmers listening during a workshop

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Financial management seminars

Sankie Sambulan VO

leadership, and values formation.

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Farmers presenting their work from the workshop

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Leadership and values formation workshops

Ryan Jervis Jao

VP Sales & Marketing, JNJ Oil Industries

This is our first time to have a partner as big as Shell and the best thing about it is we learn a lot from them, even doing the CSR properly. With their guidance, we do believe that the intensity or the magnitude that we can do is bigger than what we can expect.

VO

Coconuts are the primary source of biodiesel in the Philippines. Shell, as a responsible energy company, proactively works towards the sustainable use of our natural resources.

Jessie Calooy

I attended a seminar. I liked what I heard so I kept on coming back to learn more.

Elisa Sebuc

I try my best to attend the trainings. I am inspired to do what they are teaching us. Then we don't have to rely on coconuts anymore.

Henry Estopedo

Even without money, I’d still show up…

Jessie Calooy

…if it means that I’d be able to improve my state, even at my age.

Henry Estopedo

My heart is telling me that maybe there is hope that we can still change our lives.

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At Shell, we help fuel the future responsibly.

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By promoting sustainable farming practices, we make clean energy available for the country

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and most importantly, help improve the lives of our Filipino coconut farmers.

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Visit Shell website to know more.

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Shell pecten mneumonic

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Shell Logo