Davao: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 in the Davao Region has partnered with PUM Netherlands, a volunteer business advisory group, to innovate high-value products derived from coconut husks under the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). This collaboration aims to enhance capacity-building and product development for 25 CFIDP-assisted coconut-based enterprises and farmers in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, DTI-11 Director Romeo Casta±aga emphasized the challenges faced by the coconut industry in the region, despite its abundance. Issues such as low farmer income, poor tree yield, outdated technologies, limited market use of coconut products, and a lack of innovation in items like coconut milk, cream, and water persist. Casta±aga expressed gratitude to PUM Netherlands for aiding regional farmers and enterprises in creating coconut husk-based products, including substrates and growing media, which are highly demanded in Europe.
Casta±aga noted that challenges in producing and promoting coconut products for horticulture purposes include market access, technology, innovation, and laboratory facilities. Recently, PUM expert Cees de Kreij, a consultant with over two decades of experience in the coconut sector, engaged in one-on-one sessions with coconut farmers and cooperatives involved in husk processing. De Kreij provided technical guidance on converting coconut husks into substrates and growing media for fruits, vegetables, and plants through technology transfer interventions for coconut stakeholders.
The practice of soilless agriculture is prevalent in the Netherlands and the European Union, where fruits, vegetables, and flowers are cultivated without soil. DTI-11 plans to carry out coconut husk mapping in 2025 to evaluate the region's capacity for large-scale husk supply and prepare a study on its market potential.
The Davao Region ranks fourth nationwide in terms of land area planted with coconuts and production volume but contributes 13 percent to the country's total coconut output, making it the top producer. By December 2024, DTI-11 had supported approximately 800 coconut farmers under CFIDP, focusing on research, marketing, and market promotion to bolster sector growth.
