Friday, January 04, 2008 DTI DavOr upgrades coco novelty products
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Davao Oriental Provincial Office recently conducted a training on coconut novelties to further utilize the abundance of coconut in the municipality of Manay.
The availability of wastes from coconut prompted DTI-Davao Oriental and the municipality of Manay to look for value-adding initiative on the use of coco twigs for novelty-making.
DTI-Davao Oriental said that this has a good potential in the market considering the shift in consumers' preference, which is from synthetic to natural products.
To take advantage of the present trend, an Upgraded Skills Training on Coco Novelties was conducted.
Thirty women were taught techniques on proper selection and preparation of raw materials, designing, weaving and finishing. They came up with five product designs that include basket, flower vase, lei, and Christmas decors. The participants were also given inputs on product pricing and costing for them to be guided and be aware on reasonable and competitive pricing techniques.
After the training, the participants were encouraged to organize themselves into a cooperative or association with the help of the Municipal Agriculture Office of Manay.
The group will receive assistance in market identification and penetration, institutional development and an introduction of systems and procedures relative to their operations and some other assistance extended by SME serving agencies.
Coconut is the enrolled One Town One Product (Otop) of Manay.
Otop is a priority program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. Through OTOP, local chief executives of each city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service, which has a competitive advantage.
