BOHOL. Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act is a landmark law that is set to revolutionize the lives of millions of small coconut farmers. While the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is the lead agency for the laws implementation, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) plays a crucial and distinct role in empowering farmers to access these benefits collectively, transforming them from individual beneficiaries into a united force.

To this end, the CDA is actively conducting pre-registration seminars (PRS) for small coconut farmer organizations, guiding them on the path to becoming registered cooperatives. CDA has a vital role in these seminars in helping farmers leverage the power of cooperativism to maximize their gains from the historic coconut levy fund.

CDA Region 7 Extension Office went all in for the month of August, visiting four municipalities in Bohol – Balilihan, Antequera, Duero and Sagbayan to reach the heart of the coconut farming community. Three hundred sixty-four (364) coconut farmers coming from twenty (20) coconut farmers associations were guided on the principles, practices and legal requirement of forming and operating a cooperative.

Through this collaborative effort with the PCA and other government agencies, the CDA ensures that the benefits of the coconut levy fund are not just handed out but are used to build strong, self-sufficient, and thriving cooperatives. Ultimately, this leads to a more modern and competitive coconut industry where the small coconut farmer is not just a beneficiary but a key driver of its success.

(jrb)