The Department of Agriculture (DA) gathered regional managers of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and coconut industry stakeholders for a consultation on measures to be implemented to mitigate the impact of sustained low copra prices on November 22, 2018.

“It is never too late for this industry. We just need to honestly discuss the current state of the coconut industry and provide specific measures to address our problem,” Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol said.

“Bakit tayo napag-iiwanan, when we have the second biggest area planted with coconuts next to Indonesia?” Piñol added.

Piñol said there should be a shift in programs for coconut farming. He said the government should help farmers to diversify their products into high value products.

“While, other countries such as Thailand continue to diversify, we remain focused into copra production,” Piñol said.

During the meeting, Piñol proposed for an establishment of a village-based processing facility to allow farmers process their products into coconut water, coco milk, virgin coconut oil, and coco sugar.

He also directed the PCA to conduct training-workshops for farmers to enable them to plant new varieties suitable for coco water.

“We will implement direct marketing and direct selling of coconuts, and assist farmers look for possible buyers,” Piñol said.

The agri chief announced that the PCA has allotted P300M for the establishment of irradiation facility in Davao to serve as a common ground for all agri-commodities.

“We are falling behind in the world market in terms of food safety. I hope that thru this facility, we can improve food safety level which could later on improve our competence,” Piñol said.

During the meeting, the agri chief announced the approval of coconut farmers’ trust fund act in the bicameral meeting. He said that by law, PCA should submit the coconut industry roadmap after 45 days of its approval.

The government initially allotted P10 million (M) for the crafting of roadmap. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)