DAET, Camarines Norte – The Sustainable Development and Good Agricultural Practices in the Philippine Coconut Supply Chain (SDGCoco) Project recently concluded with a celebratory closing ceremony themed “Padagos: Sustaining the Coconut Journey.” The event marked a significant milestone, highlighting the project’s impact on the Philippine coconut industry.
The SDGCoco Project was a collaborative effort between the Government of Germany through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), private sector partners such as Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, Symrise, The Absolut Company through Malibu, and the Philippine Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). The project aimed to improve the socioeconomic and environmental sustainability of coconut farming in Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Norte.
Over the past four years, the project has directly benefited 526 farmers and trained 23 trainers in the three provinces, particularly the following:
- Strengthened farmer organizations, namely Patas na Samahan ng Maliliit na Magsasaka ng Niyog sa Calauag (PSMMNC), Laguna Quezon Coconut Farmers Association (LQCFA), SLR LinksFarm Fair Traders Association (SLRLFFTA), Camarines Norte Coconut Farmers Association (CNCFA), and Camarines Norte Coconut Fair Traders Farmers Association, Inc. (CNCFFTAI), were supported by the project. Two of these organizations, SLRLFFTA and CNCFA, have been certified as Coconut-based Learning Sites for Agriculture (CocoLSA) by the ATI.
- Established three demonstration sites to showcase sustainable farming practices.
During the closing ceremony, the project’s valuable knowledge products such as the Coconut Farm Business and Good Agricultural Practices Trainer's Manual, Workbook and Record Book, and Coconut Production Guide were turned over to ATI to further strengthen its training programs and support the development of farmer clientele.
As the SDGCoco Project concluded, it set the stage for a more sustainable and prosperous future for the Philippine coconut industry. Plans for the second phase of the project were anticipated to focus on climate change adaptation and sustainability. This commitment to continuous improvement demonstrated the project’s long-term vision for the Philippine coconut sector.
The SDGCoco Project serves as a model for sustainable agricultural development, empowering farmers and strengthening the Philippine coconut industry through innovative practices and fostering strong partnerships.
The closing ceremony was held last November 14, 2024.
