THE Provincial Agriculturist's Office (Pagro) of Compostela Valley said they are looking for investors who will process and value-add coconuts from the province.
"Dako atoang [Compostela Valley] kalubihan something 41,000 hectares then barato kaayo ang lubi nag propose mi ana since nakita nato nga mahal ang oil ug copra meal mahal sad (The province has 41,000 hectares of coconut plantations. Raw coconuts are currently being sold at a low price and we are proposing to investors to process this to coconut oil or copra meal, which sells at a better price)," Pagro chief Minda Agarano told reporters during an interview at Kapehan sa Dabaw, SM City Davao yesterday.
Copra meal is one of the ingredients being used for animal feeds.
Agarano noted that prices of copra have decreased to P16 to P17 per kilogram (kg) in 2019 from P30/kg to P40/kg in 2017 and 2018. The lower price of copra is currently not helping the farmers; hence, there is a need to value-add the products to be able to make a profit.
She said they are currently crafting a proposal for investors to set-up a coconut processing plant in the province. This proposal will be presented to potential investors during the province's Investment Conference on March 4, 2018 during the celebration of the Bulawan Festival.
The investment conference will be held at Dusit Thani Resort Lubi Plantation developed by Torre Lorenzo in Kopiat Island. Bulawan Festival action officer Sholai Lim said yesterday that they have also invited businessmen from the region and other parts of the country to participate in the conference.