Coconut update Philippines - PCA to beef up coco industry

[Stacey King]

PIA Press Release Tuesday, August 16, 2011 by Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG, Aug. 16 (PIA) -- As the coconut remains number one agricultural export of the country, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is now intensifying its efforts to perk up the coconut industry.

 

PCA Administrator Euclides G. Forbes told the local press in a news conference here yesterday that the country has around 3 million coconut farmers, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.

Forbes also said the PCA is not only concentrating on coconut copra production but it will also provide technology training for farmers and stakeholders to produce other coconut by-products like coconut flour, virgin coconut oil and coconut sugar.

The PCA administrator even said that a training on furniture making would be provided to interested groups/individuals to enable them to make fine and quality furniture made of coco wood/lumber.

It was also learned that the ban on coco tree cutting imposed by the government was already lifted as of April this year.

In a related development, the PCA is now adopting measures to cushion the impact of the US credit rating downgrade, which has adversely affected all exporters, on coconut products.

To prevent the copra prices from further tumbling down, PCA has recommended the use of coco oil in other industrial purposes.

Presently, PCA is celebrating the 55th national coco week which will culminate on Aug. 20. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zambo. Norte)