Forming part of the celebration of the 51st anniversary of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA), a three-day mini-trade fair called “NIYOGosyo sa Kadiwa” kicked-off at the DA-PCA Covered Court, Diliman, Quezon City on June 25-27, 2024.

DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, in her message, underscored a “new level” of strengthening for the coconut industry through rural development, adding the importance of technology support from 15 agencies working for the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Program.

“Sa pamumuno ng ating Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. ay ipinapaabot po natin ang mainit na pagbati sa ating mga magsasaka, sa PCA, at sa industriya. Ipinapakita po natin dito ang kahalagahan at kontribusyon ng coconut industry sa ecomomic activity, kabilang ang farm activity at exports market,” she said. 

Usec. Caballero emphasized that the coconut industry shares 43% or 3.2 billion dollar worth of exports  to the national economy.

The “NIYOGosyo sa Kadiwa” is an opportunity to directly promote locally-sourced agricultural products, particularly coconut products to PCA employees and other nearby government offices that provide consumers access to fresh and healthy products at a lower cost.

Conducted in coordination with the Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), a total of 14 suppliers were invited to sell various products like fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, rice, and frozen meat producers from coconut exhibitors/suppliers of coconut food and non-food products.

The “NIYOGosyo sa Kadiwa” is open to the public until Thursday, 8:00am to 4:00pm. ### (Pamela Ruth Arciaga, DA-AFID)