DA earmarks P84.7-M aid for copra workers

The Department of Agriculture has earmarked P84.7-million worth of livelihood assistance for copra workers designed to finance various project proposals meant to improve their socio-economic condition amid a sustained drop in prices for their products.

Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor made this disclosure shortly before departing for an official trip to the United States, where he joined the official delegation of President Arroyo.

The livelihood assistance facility forms part of the coconut farmers’ food access program (CFFAP), a priority undertaking initiated by the President to alleviate the economic plight of millions of coconut farmers adversely affected by low copra prices.

Montemayor said 15 livelihood credit proposals submitted by coconut farmer organizations and cooperatives were being processed by United Coconut Planters Bank-Coconut Industry Investment Fund, the Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank and Quedancor.

He said once approved, the projects will benefit 25,574 coconut farmers in 11 provinces consisting of Occidental Mindoro, Quezon, Capiz, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Norte.

The DA chief said the proposals deal with projects on integrated coconut oil production, processing and marketing, feedmilling, and other livelihood enterprises.

Another undertaking, espoused by the Laguna-based IAT Coconut Products Phils., composed of two cooperatives and three agrarian reform communities, has sought a P51.78-million financial assistance from Quedancor to produce high-value products from coconut husk like needle coir pad and high density coco peat, the DA chief added.

As part of the livelihood program, the DA is also giving farmers’ organizations technical assistance in the preparation and endorsement of livelihood projects to financial institutions. Preparation of documents is being facilitated through farmer field schools, he added.