10/08/2026
From Family Farm to Sustainable Enterprise: The Story of Sofiaโs Eco Farm
In the quiet community of Curva, Santiago, Agusan del Norte, a family farm is steadily growing into a promising cacao enterpriseโone nurtured by family, perseverance, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to sustainable agriculture.
This is the story of Sofiaโs Eco Farm, a cacao, coconut, and integrated livestock farm owned by Mr. Alex B. Curilan, who is currently based abroad, and managed by his brother, Mr. Jessie B. Curilan, together with their other siblings. While Alex oversees the enterprise from abroad, Jessie has taken an active role in managing the day-to-day operations of the farm. Together with his brothers, he has worked to transform their familyโs agricultural property into a more organized, productive, and market-oriented enterprise.
The farm began its operations in 2010, producing various agricultural crops but not reaching its full potential due to challenges in management and farm development. In 2018, the Curilan family decided to breathe new life into the farm. Starting with approximately 400 existing cacao trees, they began rehabilitating non-fruit-bearing trees, planting additional cacao in available areas, and improving their farming practices. What started as an effort to restore the farm gradually became a bigger visionโto build a sustainable agricultural enterprise that could create greater value from their land and products.
Cacao eventually became the heart of Sofiaโs Eco Farm, complemented by coconut production and integrated livestock. But beyond the products it produces, the farm is distinguished by the way the Curilan family cares for the land. Guided by natural farming and JADAM principles, they utilize natural inputs and minimize the use of synthetic chemicals. For the family, farming is not simply about increasing production; it is about protecting the soil, maintaining the health of the farm ecosystem, and developing an agricultural system that can continue to benefit future generations.
One of the farmโs main products is its locally produced cacao tablea, made from cacao grown on the family farm. At present, Sofiaโs Eco Farm reaches customers primarily through online selling, with its products finding their way to consumers and friends in Metro Manila, Baguio, and Butuan. While the enterprise currently focuses on retail customers, the family is looking ahead. They aim to expand into the institutional market, particularly coffee shops, hotels, groceries, and other establishments that value locally produced and quality cacao products.
As the enterprise moved beyond farm production and toward becoming a more market-ready business, the Curilan family recognized the importance of continuous learning and professionalizing their operations. Jessie strengthened his entrepreneurial knowledge through the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program, where he gained practical insights on business management, marketing, financial management, and other aspects of entrepreneurship. The experience complemented the family's agricultural knowledge and helped Jessie gain a broader perspective on managing the farm as an enterprise.
The familyโs growth has also been supported through various government programs and institutions. Through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), particularly initiatives such as the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID) and One Town, One Product (OTOP), Sofiaโs Eco Farm received assistance that contributed to strengthening its enterprise and meeting product compliance requirements. Among its important milestones was securing its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR)โsteps that strengthened the credibility of its products and opened opportunities for wider market access.
The DTI Negosyo Center Santiago has likewise remained a partner in the farmโs entrepreneurial journey by providing business advisory services, enterprise development assistance, information, referrals, and linkages to appropriate programs and institutions. These interventions have helped the family navigate the different requirements of running and expanding a growing agricultural enterprise.
Sofiaโs Eco Farm also continues to work with other government partners, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), while pursuing Halal Certification as another step toward accessing new markets and expanding the reach of its products.
For the Curilan family, the journey is far from over. Their vision extends beyond simply producing cacao. They hope to strengthen their farm-to-market operations, expand their product reach, develop new market opportunities, and continue practicing sustainable agriculture that respects both people and the environment.
Sofiaโs Eco Farm is ultimately a story of a family choosing to revive what they had, learn from the challenges they encountered, and build something with greater purpose. It is the story of Jessie and his brothers working together to keep their familyโs agricultural vision alive, while embracing entrepreneurship and continuous learning along the way.
From the fertile soil of Curva, Santiago, Sofiaโs Eco Farm continues to growโone cacao tree, one tablea, one lesson, and one opportunity at a time.
