To aid the coconut industry of Leyte and enhance a more productive sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed coconut planting materials and financial assistance to the coco farmers of the province on October 26, 2019.
Twenty local farmers, who are part of the Participatory Coconut Planting Project, received checks worth Php3,000 each from the Philippine Coconut Authority, in addition to the Php30,000-worth planting materials.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar, during a dialogue with the Provincial Local Government Units, has assured the revitalization of the national coconut industry and stressed the importance of diversifying into value-added products.
Dar added that copra prices are going down following the downtrend in prices in the global market.
“Prices are down because of oversupply of palm oil,” Dar explained.
In line with this, the Secretary Dar underscored the need to develop other products from coconut.
“Explore other high-value products aside from coconut oils,” he said.
In response, Ang Waray Partylist Representative Noel Florencio sought the support of the Secretary in the transport of coconut wine, locally known as tuba, to market outside the province.
Florencio explained that for one to experience and enjoy the authentic taste of Leyte’s tuba, bottles have to be filled up the brim. However, airline companies do not take in completely full bottles.
“Di pinapasakay sa eroplano ang tuba namin. Kung payagan man hindi puno kaya nawawala yung totoo at tamang lasa ng tubang Leyte,” he said.
The Agriculture Secretary agreed to look into this concern, including the research and exploration of other means to transport coconut wine.
He added that DA will help in the packaging and branding of the wine, and assist in the development of business strategies to help the industry and the stakeholders depending on it.
Stressing the need to elevate the quality of the coconut wine, Dar said the DA will fund a study for the development and leveling-up of the product next year. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)
