The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)-Regional Training Center MIMAROPA has rolled out the information caravan on Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), a roadmap to set the direction for the coconut industry’s rehabilitation, modernization and industrialization while improving coco farmer’s livelihood and productivity.

The information caravan kicked off in the Province of Marinduque on August 31, 2022 at Provincial Convention Center, Boac, Marinduque. Said information campaign aims to create awareness on the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) and encourage farmers to participate in the various interventions under CFITF.

In the message of Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr. during the opening program which was delivered by Mr. Michael Vincent Q. Velasco, Provincial Administrator, he said that the information caravan is a channel where the benefits, programs, projects and services of CFIDP will be understood by the farmers.

“In CFIDP, our coconut farmers are utmost priority, because this program is intended to increase the income and competitiveness of our coconut farmers, to alleviate them from poverty and exercise equality in the society.”

Present during the activity were the CFIDP implementing agencies in MIMAROPA such as Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, ATI, DA-Regional Field Office – HVCDP, Cooperative Development Authority, Landbank of the Philippines and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The said agencies discussed their respective programs and services with regard to CFIDP components such as social protection, coconut farmer’s organization and development, hybridization, community-based farm enterprise development: farm rehabilitation and improvement, integrated coconut processing and downstream products, innovative research projects, and support services.

Also part of the activity was an open forum where issues, problems and clarifications regarding the implementation of CFIDP were directly addressed by the concerned agencies.

“Now, it is clearer to you how to access the program, what programs you can avail and how it could help you,” Mr. Edilberto M. de Luna, Provincial Agriculturist said in his closing message. “With the intervention in pre-production, production and post-production as well as the trainings, technology and finance of these implementing agencies, this program will surely bring great development for the coco farmers. So, let’s all grab the opportunity,” he added.

He also assured that the Provincial Government of Marinduque through the Provincial Agriculture Office will assist them in the marketing and logistics of their agricultural produce.

The CFIDP was drafted after President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act 11524, known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) on February 26, 2021. The plan was approved through Executive Order 172, which was signed on June 2, 2022.

A total of 53 participants consist of coconut farmers, Agricultural Extension Workers and other government agencies attended the activity.