On the 2nd year of implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) conducted a “Training for Coconut Farmer Cooperatives (CFCs) on the Management and Operation of the Coconut Processing Plant” at Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City from September 26-28, 2023, spearheaded by CDA Head Office in coordination with CDA Region IX Extension Office.
32 coconut farmers were trained primarily about physical plant management, warehousing and inventory management, transportation, sales and marketing, and value chain management. The trainees were from coconut farmer cooperatives with coconut processing plant and operating in regions I, III, IV-A, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, and CARAGA — areas having relatively denser population of coconut farmers in the country.
Dir. Ruben L. Cunanan of CDA-Region IX Extension Office encouraged trainees to see the beauty of Zamboanga City of their free time, as he welcomed the participants. He uttered confident viewpoint on the CFIDP saying to the audience with high hopes “to see you again in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the commissioning of coco processing plant funded by the coco levy funds. In my view, we need your participation and support to succeed in this training.”
At the formal commencement, USec. Joseph B. Encabo greeted the training attendees. He thanked the farmers for actively engaging in CDA activities and programs and for their heartfelt support and involvement to the whole coconut industry sector. “CDA is providing truthful programs for the progress and support to Region IX and to other parts of the country,” as he supported the Agency’s appreciation remarks.
Furthering his extension for brighter outlook, USec. Encabo plugged the statement “Sana po ay sa pagtugon nyo sa mga hamon, hindi lang dahil sa kayo ay cooperative leaders, kundi sa kayo ay naniniwala na ang programang ito ay pwede nating maibigay sa mga susunod pang henerasyon” [In English: We hope that as you respond to challenges, it is not only you holding the capacity as cooperative leaders, but of you believing that this program can also be gifted to the next generation.]
Participating coconut farmers shared their relevant business experiences and current strategies to one another as part of their networking opportunities offered by the CDA-facilitated training. Their exchanges of ideas and technical know-how also made the training more vibrant.
Part of the training was the on-site learning visit of the coconut farmers to the Philippine Coconut Authority Zamboanga Research Center (PCA ZRC) in San Ramon, Zamboanga City with the cooperation of its Acting Department Manager III Luisito Peñamora. Meanwhile, the local government of Zamboanga City sponsored the transportation of participating coconut farmers bound for the PCA ZRC through the boundless backing of Hon. Khymer Adan T. Olaso, 1st District Representative of the City.
The cooperative participants were deeply grateful for the training organizers for the on-site learnings that are connected to the latest technology, excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth in the coconut industry.
CDA ASec. Virgilio R. Lazaga formally closed the training. In his message, he mentioned that “we believed that when you go home, you will use all your learnings from this fruitful training for the benefit of the cooperative and welfare of your members,” as he underscored the responsibility of trainees to transfer their acquired knowledge and experiences to meaningful and productive use. ASec. Lazaga heads the CDA Cluster for Agriculture Cooperatives and also the Oversight of the CDA Board of Directors for the CFIDP.
