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SEARCA supports Quezon coconut industry roadmap

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) is supporting the development of a roadmap for the coconut industry of Quezon province.

Searca convened industry stakeholders last May for the project titled "Development of the Coconut Industry Growth Areas in the Province of Quezon" aimed at gathering inputs and recommendations for the province's coconut industry roadmap.

The collaborative activity was organized by Searca, the Quezon Provincial Government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region 4A. with support from the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) in Calabarzon. Quezon is part of Calabarzon along with Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

Ana Clarissa Mariano, Quezon provincial agriculturist, thanked all the agencies involved in supporting the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Program (CFIDP).

Citing available data, Mariano said Quezon has the highest number of coconut trees and the largest population of farmers. She highlighted the need for a well-structured coconut plan specific to the province.

She also urged the participants to continue advancing and collaborating for the betterment of the coconut industry.

During the workshop, OPAg economist Russel Manuba's presentation focused on an overview of the current situation of the province's coconut industry.

Also presented during the workshop were the results of the initial strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis gathered during the back-to-back training workshops on roadmap development and marketing strategies conducted at Searca in February.

Gregorio said the stakeholders were divided into four groups during the workshop and focused on a specific coconut-based commodity such as virgin coconut oil or VCO, copra, coco sugar and local coconut wine called lambanog to identify, discuss and present the SWOT of their respective commodities.

He said the roadmap is expected to provide a comprehensive strategy and action plan to guide the growth and development of Quezon province's coconut industry, ensuring its long-term sustainability and prosperity in the years to come.

There were 40 participants from numerous organizations, including the DA, DA-ATI Calabarzon; Department of Trade and Industry-Quezon; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-Quezon; National Dairy Authority; local governments of Agdangan, Pagbilao, Tayabas and Catanauan; Southern Luzon State University; Land Bank of the Philippines; Quezon Federation and Union of Coops; Pederasyon ng Magniniyog sa Quezon; Greenlife; Samahan ng Maniniyog at Maglalambanog sa Wakas at Ibabang Nangka; and Yakap at Halik Multi-Purpose Coop.