Following the official launch of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) in Lucena City on June 24, 2022, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center XI conducted series of information caravans promoting all CFIDP program components to the coconut farmers and cooperatives in Davao region.
The CFIDP was drafted after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the Republic Act 11524, better known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) on February 26, 2021. The plan was approved through Executive Order 172, which was signed on June 2, 2022.
Furthermore, the CFIDP is a 50-year implementation that will focus on the development and rehabilitation of the coconut value chain.
On its initial rollout of the CFIDP info caravan, the ATI-RTC XI and its co-implementing agencies, kicked off the activity on July 6, 2022 in Mati City, Davao Oriental. Then, the caravan continued to Nabunturan, Davao de Oro on July 7; Tagum City, Davao del Norte on July 8; Malita, Davao Occidental on July 13; Digos City, Davao del Sur on July 14; and successfully culminated at Philippine Coconut Authority-Region XI Office in Davao City on July 15, 2022.
The caravan primarily focused on informing the coconut farmers on various components to be realized by the PCA in partnership with other government agencies:
1. Social Protection
- Health and Medical Program (PCA, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation)
- Crop Insurance (Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation)
- Scholarship (Commission on Higher Education)
- Trainings and Farm Schools (Agricultural Training Institute, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority)
2. Coconut Farmers Organization and Development
- Farm Cooperatives and Associations Development (Cooperative Development Authority)
3. Hybridization
- Operations (PCA)
- Research (Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development)
4. Community-based Farm Enterprise Development: Farm Rehabilitation and Improvement
- Intercropping with Cacao and Coffee (DA – High Value Crops Development Program)
- Livestock and Poultry Integration (DA – Bureau of Animal Industry)
- Dairy Integration (DA – National Dairy Authority)
5. Integrated Coconut Processing and Downstream Products
- Shared Processing Facilities (DA – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization)
6. Innovative Research Projects and their Practical Application on Coconut Processing, Production, and Distribution
7. Support Services
- Credit (Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines)
- Research, Marketing, and Market Promotion (Department of Trade and Industry)
- Infrastructure (Department of Public Works and Highways)
- Policies and Regulations
More than 300 coconut farmer leaders across the region participated and were briefed. Aside from bringing to farmers the key interventions in support to coconut industry, the caravan also served as an avenue for farmers to raise their concerns and problems. PCA-XI Regional Manager Juvy T. Alayon reminded the farmers to partake in the enlisting, delisting, and updating of the National Coconut Farmers Registry System so that they can avail of the services.
The CFIDP Information Caravan Team is spearheaded by Assel M. Mapayo, Information Officer II, as the Project Officer together with Ma. Cristin Rosan T. Besario, Media Production Specialist II, and OIC Center Director Olivia D. Gatus as the overall adviser.
