Exhibiting at IFEX Philippines 2025

Lao Integrated Farms, Inc. (LIFI), based in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, Philippines, is a leading advocate and implementer of sustainable organic agriculture. Founded and managed by Benjamin R. Lao, the company has earned national and international recognition for its innovative practices in coconut farming, herbal product development, and organic food processing. LIFI serves as both a commercial enterprise and a demo farm, offering training and inspiration to thousands of farmers and agripreneurs.

Core Business and Product Offerings

LIFI focuses on producing organic coconut-based products, herbal teas, and baked goods. These are manufactured under stringent organic standards and are marketed both locally and internationally.

Organic Coconut Products

• Coconut Sugar (granular, low glycemic index)
• Coconut Syrup
• Coconut Sap Seasoning (organic soy sauce alternative)

Herbal Teas

• Turmeric Tea
• Ginger Tea
• Moringa Tea
• Lemongrass Tea

Bakery Goods

• Coconut-based Cookies
• Herbal and Coconut Snack Products

All products are marketed under the Donnabelle brand, named after a family member, and are available in both retail and export packaging formats.

Specialization and Unique Value Proposition

LIFI’s core strength lies in its integration of vermiculture, organic waste recycling, and zero-waste farming into its production cycle. Key USPs include:

• Certified Organic Coconut Sugar Production
• Innovative use of coconut sap across product lines
• Training facility recognized by the Department of Agriculture (DA)
• Climate-smart and gender-inclusive farming practices

The farm operates as a Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) and an Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) accredited training center, supporting sustainable farming throughout the Philippines.

Financial and Operational Strength

While detailed financial statements are not publicly available, LIFI has sustained operational growth through:

• Product sales to local groceries, specialty stores, and international buyers
• Grants and partnerships with government agencies
• Revenue from agritourism and training sessions

The farm’s presence in international exhibitions and consistent demand for coconut sugar and teas underscore its commercial viability.

Export and Shipment Records

LIFI has exported organic coconut sugar and syrup products to countries including:

• United States
• South Korea
• Germany
• Japan

These exports are facilitated through Philippine DTI trade programs and partnerships with eco-conscious global distributors. The coconut sugar complies with organic and low-GI standards required by health food stores abroad.

Target Market

LIFI caters to a diverse client base:

• Health-conscious consumers seeking low-GI, organic products
• Eco-friendly export distributors
• Retail chains specializing in natural and organic foods
• Agripreneurs and farmer-cooperatives participating in training programs

The farm’s dual model—commercial production and agricultural training—makes it a hub for innovation and knowledge transfer.

Capabilities and Infrastructure

• Certified Organic Coconut Farm
• On-site Processing and Packing Facility
• Vermiculture System for Natural Fertilizer
• Training Halls and Demo Farm
• Accredited by TESDA and ATI for organic farming education

LIFI’s infrastructure supports large-scale processing and continuous education for up to 3,000 farmers annually.

Certifications and Compliance

• Certified Organic by Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP)
• Accredited Learning Site by the Department of Agriculture
• Recognized by ATI and TESDA for capacity-building
• Compliant with FDA food product registration

These certifications provide strong credibility in both domestic and export markets.

Customer Testimonials

Customers and stakeholders frequently commend LIFI for the quality and health benefits of its coconut sugar and teas. Testimonials from training program attendees highlight the life-changing impact of LIFI’s mentorship and empowerment, especially among women and indigenous farmers.

Major Achievements

• Winner of National Organic Agriculture Achiever’s Award
• Recognized by the Department of Agriculture for pioneering coconut sap products
• Export partnerships across Asia, North America, and Europe
• Consistent presence in national trade expos including IFEX Philippines
• Trained over 3,000 farmers annually through ATI and DA programs

Lao Integrated Farms, Inc. continues to lead in merging sustainable agriculture with socially impactful entrepreneurship, redefining rural farming as a scalable and ethical enterprise.