PLACER, Surigao del Norte – The third information caravan for the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) has shed a beacon of hope for the coconut farmers in Surigao del Norte. The activity took place at Mondaya’s Kitchenette on February 21, 2023.

Fifty coconut farmers from Placer, Bacuag, Sison, Tubod, Gigaquit, and Surigao City were in attendance. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) were also present to address farmers’ inquiries.

Emerita P. Elajas, Municipal Agriculturist of Placer, expressed her gratitude for choosing her town as host of the information caravan during her welcome remarks. Meanwhile, OIC Center Director Dr. Jessie V. Beldia of ATI-Caraga Region in his message highlighted the training and extension interventions of ATI under CFIDP.

Fil Victor A. Babanto, Chief of ATI-Caraga’s Information Section, presented the components and programs under CFIDP and the implementing agencies involved. All agency representatives were also given the chance to explain further their interventions or the coconut farmers and the policies and guidelines that need to be complied by the would-be beneficiaries.

During the open forum, Regional Manager Oclarit encouraged coconut farmers to venture into value adding for them to raise their income. In the case of DTI, Trade and Industry Development Specialist Ninebeth Balighot advised the participants to try coco candy making and seek financial assistance from Land Bank and technical support from DTI. Furthermore, implementing agencies particularly PCA, CDA, and NDA motivated the audience to form into associations because of the bigger advantage beneficiaries get as compared to working individually.

With the absence of a representative from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), RM Oclarit answered the question on scholarship by explaining that the agency is still waiting for its guidelines. Likewise, details on the implementation of health and medical assistance are also being finalized. Moreover, hybrid seed nuts are not yet ready for distribution but its underway.  The PCA assured that Surigao del Norte will get the biggest share among the Caraga provinces because of its vast coconut area and the devastation it experienced from Super typhoon Odette in 2021.