CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The Quezon provincial government has lined up projects and programs to intensify the development of coconut industry in the province through research and development and empowerment of farmers starting 2018.
Quezon Provincial Administrator Romulo Edaño on Monday said the provincial government had allotted initial funds for the establishment of Quezon’s Coconut Research Center, where students can expand their knowledge in coconut development and would enhance and capacitate skills and know-how among coconut farmers.
Edaño also said that among other programs earmarked for the coconut industry and agriculture sector are the Coconut Rehabilitation Program, Coco-Enterprise Development and Coco Farmers Empowerment.
Governor David Suarez will be meeting with regional heads of national agencies based in Quezon province like the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA) and other agencies engaged in research and development to enlist their support and forge collaborative undertakings to advance the coconut industry in the province.
Edaño said last year’s data showed that the province’s coconut production rose 14 percent, equivalent to some 1.63 metric tons, which led to corresponding increase in the farmers’ income by 35 percent.
He expressed confidence that the programs outlined by the local government would boost the coconut industry in the province where the vast population among farmers-households depends on coconut farming and still claims the province’s ranking as the country’s top coconut-producer. (Zen Trinidad/PNA)
