The Agricultural Training Institute-Central Luzon (ATI-CL) led the 1st Information Caravan on Coconut Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) in the region in partnership with Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) last March 2, 2023 in Dilasag, Aurora.
Aside from PCA, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) were also present during the conduct of the info caravan.
Participants expressed their optimism in the said program. Mr. Villamor Libag, farmer-leader, extended his gratitude for this new project. “Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa proyektong ito at sa mga ahensya na bumubuo dito. Malaking pasasalamat naming mga coconut farmers dahil nagkaroon ng ganitong programa. Ito ay tunay na makakatulong sa bawat isa amin nawa ay magkaroon ito ng impact sa kabuhayan ng bawat magsasaka ng coconut”, Villamor added.
With its goal of discussing the features of CFIDP, the PCA in Aurora through Mr. Jun Milar led the discussion of the components of the program. It was then followed by an open forum which was facilitated by ATI-CL. Some clarifications were made and answered by the concerned government agencies present during the caravan.a
The said activity was attended by a total of 53 coconut farmer-leaders in the said municipality.
CFIDP aims to benefit 2.5 million coconut farmers and their families through its different program components. With its whole-of-government approach, several government agencies shall converge and facilitate the implementation of CFIDP.
Being a new program, ATI-CL shall conduct six (6) more information caravans this year to spread awareness among coconut farmers and stakeholders in Central Luzon about CFIDP. (APBermudez)
