DA launches CFIDP to boost Philippine coconut industry
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) launched recently the coconut farmers and industry development plan (CFIDP) that would utilize the P11.25-billion coconut levy trust fund to boost farmers’ productivity and income.
Officials of the DA and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) led by Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar launched the industry plan at the Quezon Convention Hall in Lucena City on Friday, June 24, 2022.
“CFIDP aims to increase the income and productivity of the 2.5 million coconut farmers in the country; promote poverty alleviation, education, and social equity; and rehabilitate and modernize the Philippine coconut industry,” the DA said in a news statement issued on Monday.
In his keynote speech, Dar said Republic Act 11524 or the coconut fame rs industry fund act is a “formidable” law that would “give new life and new hope to coconut farmers” nationwide.
“There is no reason anymore for the country’s coconut industry to rise,” he said. Dar has called for the release of funds to the implementing agencies of the CFIDP in accordance with RA 11524.
The CFIDP has various components and programs that include health and medical, crop insurance, scholarships, training and farm schools, organization of cooperatives and associations, hybridization operations, intercropping activities, dairy integration, and shared processing facilities, among others.
Dar said one of the goals of the CFIDP is to boost the country’s average coconut production to 150 nuts per tree per annum from the current 40 to 45 nuts per tree.
“Don’t forget that income is an equally important objective. That is why a good number of these [CFIDP] components, nariyan ang diversification of the coconut system. Using high-value crops, using livestock so that there is an array of agricultural enterprises as sources of income for our coconut farmers,” he said.
Interested farmer-beneficiaries of the CFIDP must be registered in the National
Coconut Farmers’ Registry System (NCFRS).
“Eligible members include: farm owners and/ or owner-tillers, coconut growers who own not less than 0.5 hectares of land with at least 20 coconut trees; tenants or tenant-workers; and farmworkers or laborers,” the DA said.
President Duterte issued Executive Order 172 earlier this month that approved CFIDP that will serve as the overall utilization plan of the coco levy fund.
“There is a need to approve the coconut farmers and industry development plan to increase overall productivity and income of coconut farmers, alleviate poverty, and achieve the twin objectives of rehabilitating and modernizing the coconut industry to attain social equity,” EO 172 read.
The CFIDP was the result of a series of consultations conducted by the PCA with concerned government agencies, coconut farmers, farmers’ organizations, industry associations, civil society groups, academe and other stakeholders.
The Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry and the National Economic and Development Authority provided “advisory opinions” on the development of the CFIDP.