PONTEVEDRA, Capiz - “We entirely appreciate this training, especially with the knowledge, inputs, skills, and techniques we attained. It has been a productive ride,” conveyed Eric Arboleda of Dad’s Farm during the Training on Coconut By-Products (Desiccated Coconut Processing) last August 16-18, 2023, at Villa Consorcia Resort, Pontevedra, Capiz. Fifteen Capiznon farmer association members participated in the training.
The three-day training consisted of lectures and practicum on desiccated coconut processing and supplemental topics on the trade of the said by-product.
Participants were able to understand CFIDP and its effects and benefits in the Philippine coconut industry and the situation of the Coconut Industry in Western Visayas, specifically in Capiz with PCA Provincial Manager Andy Laurilla. Furthermore, they were able to define desiccated coconuts, enumerate the different nutritional content and health benefits of coconut, identify the processing utensils and equipment for desiccated coconut processing, enumerate raw materials and ingredients for the development of desiccated coconut, and apply the process flow of desiccated coconut processing.
The group immersed in the processing at the Capiz Small Coconut Farmers’ Cooperative (CASCOFAMCO) facility in Ivisan, Capiz. For a full appreciation of the desiccated coconut as an ingredient, Resource Persons Lea Danasco and Mayflor Cepeda assisted the participants in value-adding by detailing the process of baking macaroons and ube bars.
In support of their learnings are topics on Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety, Proper Storage, and Mandatory Packaging and Labelling Requirements.
DTI Resource Persons Madeline Demonarca and Julienne Berdugo enhanced the participant’s learnings by providing a brief lecture and workshop on record keeping, and the costing and pricing of the group’s finished product from their practicum.
ATI Region 6 required the participating associations and farms to submit re-entry plans to monitor the possible application of learning outcomes.
ATI Region 6, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, implemented the said training to help sustain the Philippines’ production of desiccated coconuts to meet the demands of the existing market through the expansion of personnel skills development, training, and capacity-building in desiccated coconut processing under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
As per the Philippine Coconut Industry Roadmap (2021-2024), the Philippines is the world’s top exporter of desiccated coconut, followed by Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
