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Thursday, November 11, 2004
Supply of coconut in local market dwindles
By Jenny Molbog-Mendoza
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 has launched an extensive campaign to encourage farmers to plant coconut in order to address its decreasing supply in the market.
DTI-Davao City Field Office director Teolulo Pasawa on Wednesday said the campaign focuses on highlighting the potentials of coconut to convince the farmers to engage in coconut planting.
"We have received reports that there is a dwindling supply of coconut in the local market. Last month, there was a group of activated carbon processors na nagsabing hirap din silang magproduce ng enough supply of coco charcoal kasi nga kulang ang supply ng niyog," he said.
DTI, during ocular inspection, had discovered that a great percentage of coconut farms in Davao Region were already converted into subdivisions and commercial sites.
"Like pupunta ka ng Lasang for instance, dati coconut plantation halos buong area na 'yan, pero right now, majority of the area ay naging commercial area na at 'yan ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit kulang tayo sa supply ng coconut," he said.
Pasawa also said that one major potential of coconut they are highlighting in the campaign is the emerging industry of coco coir.
"In fact, sa San Isidro, Davao Oriental may isang investor na masasabi nating lumalakas na ang kanyang coco coir business. She is even planning to expand. Ang sabi kasi nya, maraming income dito, after mong kumita sa copra, pwede mo pang gawing cushion ng sasakyan ang coco coir, pwede rin lubid," he said.
Pasawa said that they already have an agreement with the Regional Development Council (RDC), Philippine Cococnut Authority (PCA), and Department of Agriculture (DA) to come up with more measures to develop the coconut industry.
(November 11, 2004 issue)
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