PCA, DAR launch proj to boost coco farmers’ income

MULANAY, Quezon – President Arroyo led the recent launching here of a new program aimed at improving the lives of coconut farmers.

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Evangeline S. Valbuena expressed gratitude for the efforts of the President to bring in progress to Bondoc Peninsula through the development of the coconut industry in the area. "The President’s visit provided a great opportunity for coconut farmers and coconut producers, traders and end users to jointly explore opportunities in coconut enterprise development" Valbuena said as she stressed the event’s objective of integrating the project to the local and foreign market.

Called the Nucleus Farm Development Project, the program is a collaboration between the PCA and the Department of Agrarian Reform. It aims to empower coconut farmers in Agrarian Reform Communities through piloting and sustainable livelihood projects.

Partner beneficiaries are coconut farmers organizations in the Municipalities of Mulanay, Padre Burgos, Unisan, San Narciso, Pitogo, San Francisco, San Andres and Buenavista.

The project is under the auspices of the Peace Foundation of which is responsible for the social preparation, stage focusing in organization development, empowerment, skills and enterprise development.

Valbuena said the project will showcase all that can be integrated in coconut farming and livelihood development. "Our approach is to derive more income from what are formerly considered waste" she explained citing for example the coconut husk which will be turned into valuable products such as twine and geo-fascines.