Tantangan, South Cotabato- The 3rd Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Regional Inter-Agency Technical Committee (RIATC) XII meeting was successfully conducted on March 21, 2025, held at the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center XII (ATI-RTC XII). 

The meeting gathered key stakeholders from various agencies to discuss updates, accomplishments, and future initiatives aimed at supporting coconut farmers in the region.

The session commenced with an opening message from Regional Manager III, Emily A. Lorion, who emphasized the importance of collaboration in implementing CFIDP programs. She highlighted the collective responsibility of government agencies and private stakeholders in ensuring the sustainability and progress of the coconut industry.

One of the key agenda items was the review and approval of the minutes from the previous meeting. This was followed by presentations from inter-agency representatives, who provided updates on their respective programs and accomplishments from February to March 2025. 

The implementing agencies showcased their efforts in addressing the needs of coconut farmers, particularly in improving productivity, providing financial assistance, and enhancing market opportunities.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office XII (DA-RFO XII), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) General Santos City, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

In her closing remarks, Elisa O. Gabi, APDO IV, expressed gratitude to all participants for their commitment to the CFIDP initiatives. She reiterated the importance of continuous collaboration to encourage coconut farmers to register with the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS) and take advantage of other developmental programs.