Developing the Philippines' Coconut Industry: “A Promise Fulfilled to Coconut Farmers”
Developing the Philippines' Coconut Industry: "A Promise Fulfilled to Coconut Farmers"
Thu, 09/01/2022 - 5:11pm
On June 24, 2022, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), officially launched the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) held at the Quezon Convention Hall, Lucena City, Quezon Province.
The proposal, which was approved and signed on June 2, 2022 by Executive Order 172, aims to increase the income and productivity of coconut farmers in the country by 2.5 million.
Former Secretary William Dar, Assistant Secretary for Operations and Director of the DA Regional Field Office IV-A Arnel de Mesa, Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes, PCA Deputy Administrator Roel Rosales, YHMPC President Arnel Amparo, representatives from partner agencies, local government offices, and beneficiaries and organizations of coconut farmers were all present at the CFIDP launching.
At the Regional level, the CFIDP Inception Meeting with PCA Region IV-A was initiated by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) CALABARZON last July 25, 2022 and was held at the ATI RTC in Trece, Martires, Cavite. Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, OIC, Training Center Superintendent II with the Regional Manager III of PCA Region IV-A, Mr. Bibiano C. Concebido discussed about how the program would complement on the CFIDP's regional targeted activities this year, prioritizing the locations and schedule of the Information Caravan as well as reviewing the information materials' content. Also discussed was the agenda for the consultation and planning workshop with the implementing agencies.
Furthermore, last August 10, 2022, the ATI CALABARZON in coordination with the PCA IV-A held a Consultation and Planning Workshop for the Implementing Agencies of the CFIDP in Lucena City. The goal of the aforementioned activity is to outline each agency's operations and programs. The following organizations were represented: the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office IV-A, the National Dairy Authority (NDA), the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMECH), the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) IV-A, PHILHEALTH, the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), the Landbank, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) IV-A.
To top it all, Dr. Maningas was also invited to be one of the speakers at the 1st Quezon Coconut Farmers Summit held at the Quezon Convention Center, Lucena City, Quezon last August 20, 2022 initiated by the Provincial Government of Quezon led by newly-elected governor, Hon. Angelina “Doc Helen” D. Tan. He discussed how the coconut farmers can access the allocation from the coco levy funds and other initiatives offered by ATI.
Still, so much is in stored for the coconut farmers in Region IV-A. The succeeding activities of the CFIDP includes a series of Information Caravans that will be organized in a number of Quezon municipalities under the direction of ATI CALABARZON. These will start on September 9 in Gen. Nakar, September 21 in Lopez, September 23 in Alabat, September 28 in Catanuan, September 30 in Sariaya, October 12 in Batangas and October 14 in Laguna. The goal of this effort is to encourage active involvement in the project by briefly educating the coconut farmers about the CFIDP program, those services, and how they would benefit from it.
Additionally, the following trainings will be provided by the Center in conjunction with the CFIDP program in the upcoming fiscal years:
• Radyo Eskwela para sa Pagniniyog
• Pagsasanay sa mga Tekniko at Magniniyog
• Coconut Specialist Course
• Coco based Farm Business School
• Good Agricultural Practices for Coconut
• Production of Coconut Products and By-products
• Coconut-Coffee Farming System
Dr. Maningas assured that ATI CALABARZON will continue to assist coconut growers by offering modern services and education. He urged them to continue expanding their knowledge while keeping abreast of contemporary techniques and norms to establish a stable, prosperous, and forward-thinking coconut industry in the nation.
Written by: Christian Leonard M. Añonuevo
Posted by: Maridelle G. Jaurigue