DAET, CAMARINES NORTE – The Department of Agriculture High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) led the launching and MOA signing for the Coconut-based Cacao and Coffee Enterprise Development Project under CFIDP Year 2 implementation in Camarines Norte.

The Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) developed by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) was approved by former President Rodrigo Duterte on June 2, 2022. The CFIDP is being funded under the P75-billion Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund created after Pres. Duterte signed RA 11524 or the Act creating the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, on Feb. 6, 2021.

Some 24 coconut farmers from the different municipalities of Camarines Norte participated in the three-in-one activity.

The launch and MOA signing was held at Baluzo Farm in Daet, Camarines Norte on September 5, 2023. The MOA signing was followed by a training and actual demonstration on cacao management practices.

Dr. Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez said that the DA-HVCDP will provide packages of interventions funded under the CFIDP consisted of 500 pieces grafted cacao per hectare per farmer complemented with fertilizer and pruning shear. The beneficiaries of the project will be 26 individual farmers coming from 12 farmers associations accredited by the PCA. For Capalonga, Cam. Norte – 3 farmers associations; Labo – 5; San Vicente – 2; Daet – 1 ; Basud – 2; San Lorenzo Ruiz – 3; Vinzons – 2 farmers associations.

“Sana po ay ating pagyamanin at alagaan ang anumang intervention mula sa DA at sana din po ay magpa lista sa RSBSA at umanib sa mga associations na accredited ng DA dahil napa-priority po ang mga accredited associations,” added Dr. Rodriguez.

PCA Camarines Norte Provincial Manager Basiliso Ababa represented PCA Regional Manager Mateo Zipagan. He said that the PCA has an allocation of P5 billion per year for the implementation of the CFIDP in the country taking into account the ff: 1) Development of hybrid coconut seed farms and nursery for planting and replanting by PCA, DOST and PCAARRD; 2) Training of farmers and their families; 3) Research, marketing and promotion under DTI; 4) Crop insurance by PCIC; 5) Farm improvements through diversification and /or intercropping with livestock, dairy, poultry, coffee, cacao production by the NDA, DA – HVCDP, and DA-BAI; 6) Shared facilities for processing by PHILMECH for the coconut farmers cooperatives and LGUs for coconut farmers organizations. 7) Credit programs through DBP and LBP; Infrastructure Development by the DPWH in coconut producing LGUs using coco coir and coconet bio-engineering solutions in controlling soil erosion and road construction; 9) Scholarship for farmers and their families by CHED; 10) Health and medical program for farmers and their families.

Nestor Guarana, Jr, Plant Science instructor of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture served as resource speaker together with Rosendo Carullo, HVCDP Nursery staff. Meanwhile, Reymark Balce, owner of Bean and Bean in Cam. Norte discussed the market potentials, demand and required quality of cacao beans during the training.

Also present were Ailyn Rafer, Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer of Camarines Norte; Municipal Agriculturists Eddie Canamero of San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Agricultural Extension Workers of Vinzons, Basud and Labo; Maricris Reforba, Assistant HVCDP Coordinator; DA HVCDP Provincial Coordinator of CFIDP in Camarines Norte – Edton Ecleo, and for Albay – Dexter Paz; Raffy Belardo, Planning Officer of PLGU Cam. Norte and Marilyn Puato, Provincial HVCDP Coordinator.

(Lovella P. Guarin – RAFIS 5)

(Photo by Eduardo Collantes, Jr and Ramon Adversario, Jr.)

12 farmer Assn ink MOA with DA, PCA for CFIDP in Cam. Norte

DAET, CAMARINES NORTE – The Department of Agriculture High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) led the launching and MOA signing for the Coconut-based Cacao and Coffee Enterprise Development Project under CFIDP Year 2 implementation in Camarines Norte.

The Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) developed by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) was approved by former President Rodrigo Duterte on June 2, 2022. The CFIDP is being funded under the P75-billion Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund created after Pres. Duterte signed RA 11524 or the Act creating the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, on Feb. 6, 2021.

Some 24 coconut farmers from the different municipalities of Camarines Norte participated in the three-in-one activity.

The launch and MOA signing was held at Baluzo Farm in Daet, Camarines Norte on September 5, 2023. The MOA signing was followed by a training and actual demonstration on cacao management practices.

Dr. Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez said that the DA-HVCDP will provide packages of interventions funded under the CFIDP consisted of 500 pieces grafted cacao per hectare per farmer complemented with fertilizer and pruning shear. The beneficiaries of the project will be 26 individual farmers coming from 12 farmers associations accredited by the PCA. For Capalonga, Cam. Norte – 3 farmers associations; Labo – 5; San Vicente – 2; Daet – 1 ; Basud – 2; San Lorenzo Ruiz – 3; Vinzons – 2 farmers associations.

“Sana po ay ating pagyamanin at alagaan ang anumang intervention mula sa DA at sana din po ay magpa lista sa RSBSA at umanib sa mga associations na accredited ng DA dahil napa-priority po ang mga accredited associations,” added Dr. Rodriguez.

PCA Camarines Norte Provincial Manager Basiliso Ababa represented PCA Regional Manager Mateo Zipagan. He said that the PCA has an allocation of P5 billion per year for the implementation of the CFIDP in the country taking into account the ff: 1) Development of hybrid coconut seed farms and nursery for planting and replanting by PCA, DOST and PCAARRD; 2) Training of farmers and their families; 3) Research, marketing and promotion under DTI; 4) Crop insurance by PCIC; 5) Farm improvements through diversification and /or intercropping with livestock, dairy, poultry, coffee, cacao production by the NDA, DA – HVCDP, and DA-BAI; 6) Shared facilities for processing by PHILMECH for the coconut farmers cooperatives and LGUs for coconut farmers organizations. 7) Credit programs through DBP and LBP; Infrastructure Development by the DPWH in coconut producing LGUs using coco coir and coconet bio-engineering solutions in controlling soil erosion and road construction; 9) Scholarship for farmers and their families by CHED; 10) Health and medical program for farmers and their families.

Nestor Guarana, Jr, Plant Science instructor of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture served as resource speaker together with Rosendo Carullo, HVCDP Nursery staff. Meanwhile, Reymark Balce, owner of Bean and Bean in Cam. Norte discussed the market potentials, demand and required quality of cacao beans during the training.

Also present were Ailyn Rafer, Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer of Camarines Norte; Municipal Agriculturists Eddie Canamero of San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Agricultural Extension Workers of Vinzons, Basud and Labo; Maricris Reforba, Assistant HVCDP Coordinator; DA HVCDP Provincial Coordinator of CFIDP in Camarines Norte – Edton Ecleo, and for Albay – Dexter Paz; Raffy Belardo, Planning Officer of PLGU Cam. Norte and Marilyn Puato, Provincial HVCDP Coordinator.

(Lovella P. Guarin – RAFIS 5)

(Photo by Eduardo Collantes, Jr and Ramon Adversario, Jr.)