Seeing is Believing: Inspiring Farmers and Stakeholders in the Coconut Industry

To gain stronger commitment and elevate the coconut farmers’ interest, involvement and ownership to CFIDP, the ATI-RTC 1 organized a benchmarking activity at IMA Integrated Farm, Brgy. Caparispisan, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte- the only certified coconut learning site for agriculture (LSA) in the region, to inspire coconut farmer organizations and other stakeholders with opportunities in coconut.

IMA, through the owner and manager, Ms. Elizabeth Benemerito, showcased coconut production and value-adding innovations and technologies such as mechanized production of virgin coconut oil, coco twine and coco peat, compost, charcoal briquettes, and coconut shell crafts. These are outcomes of IMA and its organization’s application of knowledge and skills acquired from capability building and embracing the services of CFIDP implementing agencies to include ATI-RTC 1, PCA, DA-RFO 1, TESDA, CDA, and PhilMech. More importantly, demonstrating unity, commitment and determination of IMA and its organization towards making these possible.

Coconut food and by-products were displayed alongside market chain map to inspire the farmers and to embrace the programs, projects, and services they have at hand through the CFIDP.