Amas, Kidapawan City- To promote the coconut industry of Cotabato Province, the Provincial Government of Cotabato will give additional support to small coconut farmers’ organization of the province.
This, during a meeting with coconut farmers held today, August 5, 2020 at the Provincial Governor’s Office, Amas, Kidapawan City.
Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco along with 2nd District Board Member Krista Piñol-Solis and Provincial Administrator Efren F. Piñol assured the Federation of Small Coconut Farmers Organization of the province headed by Mr. Leo Loredo that the provincial government of Cotabato is committed to go the extra mile in helping the farmers and boost coconut industry.
She also said that with the upcoming opening of the Central Mindanao Airport in Mlang, local farmers of the province must be trained and assisted in venturing into other opportunities that will create employment and additional income.
According to Loredo, coconut farmers of the province need additional coconut salt fertilizer since the previous allocation was not enough to accommodate all the beneficiaries.
He also asked the provincial government’s assistance in crafting a project proposal for the proposed coconut oil processing plant to be submitted to the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) for possible funding.
Provincial Administrator Piñol recommended to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and to the federation to gather and validate new data regarding the number of coconut farmers per municipality to ensure that no one is left behind especially in receiving programs and projects from the government.
In response to the concerns of the coconut farmers, Governor Catamco directed OPAg Head Dr. Sustines Balanag to create a technical working group who will focus on the needs and concerns of coconut farmers especially in conducting feasibility study on the proposed coconut oil plantation.
The governor also wants to check the on-going construction of 20 coconut boiling facilities facilitated by the previous administration that can produce 500 metric tons of coco sugar annually if ever the facilities will be fully operational.
“We have to continue what the previous administration has started, like this coconut boiling facilities. We have to make sure that it will become functional and give to the farmers the support and training they need to maximize our resources and create more opportunities for Cotabateños,” the governor said. //pgo-idcd//
