DAVAO Region – Following its official launch in Quezon, over 250 Davaoeño coconut farmer leaders are now oriented on the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) program components, through the first series of information caravan.
This was organized by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)–Regional Training Center in Davao Region, together with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and other CFIDP implementing agencies (IAs), in accordance to Republic Act 11524.
These include, among others, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office 11, Cooperative Development Authority, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Trade and Industry, Commission on Higher Education, as well as the local government of Davao.
In his opening message during a caravan in Tagum City, PhilMech Director Arnel Ramir Apaga said that the CFIDP is one of the most comprehensive programs of the government to date.
“Sa loob ng 35 years ko sa gobyerno, ngayon lang ako nakakita ng programang napakakomprehensibo,” he expressed.
[“In my 35 years in the government, this is the first time that I have seen such a comprehensive program.”]
The PhilMech director assured the participants that the “16 agencies will work together for the implementation of the CFIDP.”
Thus, he encouraged the coconut farmers to actively participate in all the information activities of the CFIDP, which will allow them to see the objectives of the law, along with the program components, services, and benefits available for them.
During the caravans, questions from the participants were on cooperative development, health and crop insurance services, educational assistance, site accreditation, fertilizer distribution, hybridization, farm integration, shared facilities, and credit support.
These questions were addressed by the respective IAs present during the series of activities.
Some information, education, and communication materials were also provided to the coconut farmers.
Moreover, the event served as an avenue for the qualified farmers to register in PCA’s
National Coconut Farmers Registry System, which will also serve as basis for the CFIDP implementation.
Program components of the CFIDP are on social protection, coconut farmers organization and development, hybridization, community-based farm enterprise development, integrated coconut processing, innovative research projects, as well as various support services.
This series of info caravans was held last July 6-8 and July 13-15, covering Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, and Davao City.
More information campaigns for CFIDP are set to be conducted nationwide through the ATI regional offices.
