This collaboration aligns with the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) to empower coconut farmers and cooperatives through innovative initiatives.
On Jan. 22, PUM expert Cees de Kreij, a consultant with over 20 years of experience in the Dutch coconut sector, conducted one-on-one sessions with coconut farmers and cooperatives engaged in husk processing.
Capacity-building
His guidance emphasized creating products like substrate and growing media (soil substitute or additive for growing plants), which have strong demand in European markets.
PUM Netherlands, composed of volunteer senior business advisers, has supported capacity-building efforts for DTI-assisted enterprises and farmers in Davao Region.
To date, 25 coconut-based enterprises have benefited from the partnership. DTI 11 Regional Director Romeo L. Castañaga praised PUM’s contributions, highlighting the Davao region’s potential as the top coconut producer in the country, contributing 13 percent to the national output.
Research and marketing
Despite the region's rich resources, challenges persist, including low farmer incomes, inadequate technology, and limited utilization of by-products. To address these issues, DTI plans to prioritize services in research, marketing, and market promotion.
By December 2024, DTI Region 11 had supported 800 coconut farmers. Moving forward, the department aims to conduct a coconut husk mapping project to assess supply and explore potential markets for husk-based products.
Castañaga stressed the importance of overcoming obstacles in technology, market expansion, and innovation to unlock the full potential of Davao’s coconut industry. —Ed: CSN
