DAVAO CITY – The micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in coconut processing participating in the recently concluded Sandugo trade fair in Bohol were recognized after generating the highest sales.
The Sandugo Trade Expo 2023 is an annual trade exhibition held in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, during the latter part of July. This highlighted various products and industries, including processed food, furniture, handicrafts, fashion accessories, and wellness products. In addition to these products, the expo featured seminars and workshops on business development, marketing, and product development.
Davao Region brought to the Central Visayas market 17 MSMEs, eight of whom were coconut processors. They are beneficiaries of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) implementation in the region. Specifically, they are from Davao City and the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.
The Republic Act 11524 created CFIDP, the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, to help coconut farmers earn more and improve their economic conditions. It implements interventions to increase coconut production, product quality, and market expansion. According to the law, fifteen government agencies are currently doing their respective functions to ensure that the initiatives relevant to the seven identified components are being carried out.
DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi shared that the coconut industry is a major economic driver of the country and presents enormous opportunities for its stakeholders and players. In 2021, the Davao Region gathered 1,983,240,000 nuts, or 13.47 percent of the Philippines reported figure. Meanwhile, its coconut farms covered 355,940 hectares, representing 9.76 percent of the country’s total hectarage planted with the commodity.
“The coconut industry is abound with numerous business opportunities. With CFIDP, which has a budget of P14.7 million for this year for related regional projects and activities, we have lined up several initiatives, and our participation in the Sandugo Trade Expo is one of them,” the regional trade chief said.
Ambi revealed that part of the upcoming CFIDP events and activities are focused on product development and enhancement, brand enhancement, market linkage between producers/processors and buyers, assistance to trade fairs and exhibits, educating and promoting on advantage and usage of coconut products, and online media onboarding, where the DTI 11-assisted MSMEs will be capacitated, promoted, and highlighted again.
”We at DTI are responsible for conducting research on the coconut industry and developing marketing strategies to promote its products. The agency is also working with other government agencies and private sector organizations to promote coconut products both in the domestic and international markets,” she noted.
DTI 11 exceeded its targets for the Sandugo Trade Expo: instead of only assisting 12 MSMEs, it brought 17 and generated P834,017.00 in sales, 178% higher than the planned P300,000.
DTI Davao Region CFDIP Assisted MSMEs garnered the award as the TOP Seller for the food sector during the event.
As of July 2023, DTI 11 has already participated in seven trade fairs, reaching an aggregate of P14,803,077 in cash and booked sales. Meanwhile, the office recorded an amount of P10,584,355.75 in sales under negotiation. PIA DAVAO