News Details

Coconut Industry Seen as Key Driver of Rural Transformation in Davao Region

NPO

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October 23, 2025

DAVAO CITY — The Department of Agriculture in Region 11 (DA-11) has underscored the pivotal role of the coconut industry in driving rural transformation, innovation, and inclusive growth across the Davao Region.

In a statement, DA-11 Regional Director Macario Gonzaga described coconut as a cornerstone of the region’s agricultural economy, not just as a traditional crop but as a catalyst for rural development.

Based on 2024 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Davao Region produced over 2.2 million metric tons of non-food industrial crops, with coconut accounting for 87.2 percent of total production.

Despite the industry’s scale, Gonzaga acknowledged persistent challenges including low farmgate prices, aging trees, climate risks, pest infestations, and limited post-harvest facilities.

“To overcome these, the solution lies in partnerships among farmers, government, the private sector, and institutions,” Gonzaga said during the opening of the Techno Forum on Coconut Innovations and Product Exhibit on Wednesday.

He lauded the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) for training more than 4,600 farmers, emphasizing its collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and international experts to develop high-value, export-quality coconut products such as processed husks and eco-friendly materials.

“These partnerships show that the future of coconut is not just in farming, but in value creation, branding, and sustainability,” he added.

The two-day event featured a product exhibit showcasing innovative coconut-based food items, fiber crafts, and eco-products — each reflecting the farmers’ resilience and creativity. Gonzaga also urged farmer-leaders to become knowledge bearers and changemakers in their communities.

“You are the bridge between policy and practice, between innovation and action,” he said.

The forum, which concluded on Thursday, reaffirmed DA-11’s commitment to empowering farmers through technology, training, and enterprise development — cementing the coconut industry’s role as a foundation of rural transformation in Mindanao.

NPO News Team | PNA-PR