Agri-10 through RED Pacamalan joins the initiative for the development of coconut and bamboo, attending the inter-agency collaboration for said commodities’ development enterprise in Agusan Norte.

 

BUTUAN CITY – Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan attends the Inter-Agency Collaboration for Coconut and Bamboo Development Enterprise for Agusan del Norte on June 28, at the Caraga State University, this city.

Agusan del Norte Vice-Governor Enrico R. Corvera shared that said initiative aims to gather the stakeholders to tap on their expertise as well as on programs and projects from agencies to develop the coconut and bamboo industry.

“We hope that our collaborative efforts will uplift the living conditions of farmers,” he added.

As guest speaker, RED Pacamalan shared his experience and best practices leading to the establishment of the Integrated Coconut Processing Plant in Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental, and Bamboo and Rice-Duck Farming system.

He said that the coconut processing plant will be operational by September this year which is projected to increase the buying price of coconut up to Php16.00 per piece.

The DA-10 official also shared plans to have this facility present in all provinces in region 10.

RED Pacamalan also highlighted the importance of geo-referencing and digitizing agri-data to help in making informed decisions such as geotagging coconut and bamboo trees to organize its supply.

Further, the director also noted that DA’s special projects such as the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) and the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) particularly its enterprise development component (I-REAP) may also be tapped for the convergence initiative.

For his part, DA-13 Arlan M. Mangelen also conveyed, “I am excited on the inter-regional collaboration for high impact projects for coconut and bamboo industry development between the two [Caraga and Region 10] that will result in positive impact for the farmers.”

Also present in the activity are representatives from the provincial and municipal agriculture offices, Caraga State University, and from agencies such as the Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Technical Education And Skills Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Tourism. # (AMBM)