DILIMAN, Quezon City – Representatives from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Department of Agriculture (DA) held a joint workshop on Knowledge Management (KM) and Communications Planning to develop knowledge products and learning platforms related to cacao, coconut, and coffee.
The two-day workshop brought together representatives from various organizations, including GIZ, DA-High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance Division, Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
In her opening message, ATI Assistant Director Niet Arceo thanked the participants and emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge so that farmers use it productively.
Meanwhile, DA-HVCDP and BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban discussed the policy directions for the coffee and cacao industry in a video presentation. He emphasized the need to “strategize, optimize, and synergize” policies and programs to enable farmers to maximize their yield and improve the quality of their crops.
The participants were grouped into three teams to discuss communication strategies for promoting the coconut, cacao, and coffee industries.
Representatives from the PCA led the discussion for coconut, including the industry's current situation and analysis of its strengths and threats. The group proposed to highlight the income opportunities in the coconut industry and the benefits of sustainable value chains, appropriate technologies, and balanced export and domestic consumption.
For cacao, representatives from the DA and GIZ discussed the challenges faced by local farmers, such as low productivity and low return on investment for producers. They suggested collaborating with other industries and promote cacao beyond the usual messaging.
“There is a high demand for cacao that the Philippines can take advantage of and share equitably among cacao stakeholders,” the group noted.
Meanwhile, the 2021-2025 roadmap was discussed for coffee where the need for direct messaging for the private sector, particularly investors and processors, was underscored. The team emphasized the importance of technology promotion, advocacy, and policy to improve the industry.
GIZ Philippines’ Chief Advisor for Development Partnerships with the Private Sector in Agriculture, Cornelia Skokov, commended the group for being easy to work with, as all Filipinos are. She emphasized the need for continued discussions and incorporating innovative approaches to enhance agricultural practices in the country.
The joint DA-GIZ Knowledge Management and Communications Planning Workshop was held last March 9 to 10, 2023 at the ATI Central Office compound in this city.
