DTI Misocc opens diversified coco biz access to farmers, MSMEs

by Shaine Mae R. Nagtalon

The Department of Trade and Industry-Misamis Occidental hosts the 1st Usapang Niyogosyo cum Product Exhibit to Coconut Farmers and MSMEs in the province here at Isla Grill, Restaurant, Ozamiz City. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)

The Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Occidental (DTI-MisOcc) introduced diversified coconut-based business opportunities to coconut farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the 1st Usapang Niyogosyo cum Product Exhibit, here.

This is in line with the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) for the activities under Research, Marketing, and Promotion.

DTI-Misamis Occidental Provincial Director Luz Galda cited the Usapang Niyogosyo as a milestone to improve the lives of coconut farmers in the province.

"We hope this will inspire other coconut farmers to engage in business, which will contribute to generating family income and jobs," she stressed.

During the Usapang Niyogosyo program, the successful entrepreneurs in the coconut industry also shared their journey, while the representatives of LandBank, the Provincial Agriculture Office, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) presented their programs and specific interventions as well as updates under the CFIDP.

Included in this two-day activity is a mini product exhibit of the different coconut products in the province, showcasing the coconut value-adding activities done by the local MSMEs in Misamis Occidental.

On the second day, lined-up activities include high-value coconut product technology transfer, marketing, and consulting.

MSMEs and potential entrepreneurs can also have business consultations with industry experts and representatives from the different implementing agencies. In addition, the Small Business Corporation P3 Coordinator will entertain queries on available loan windows for MSMEs.

In an interview, Melodia C. Villegas, Manager of Caniangan Agrarian Reform Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAR MPC), thanked the DTI for the program and expressed her hope for more assistance and intervention like this in the future.

"Nagpasalamat gyud mi ug dako sa DTI kay dako silag natabang ug nag assist namo gikan sa sinugdanan hangtod karon continues ilahang pag assist namo hangtud nga mka mass production na gyud mi matabangan napod mi nila sa among market so nanghina-ot lang mi nga long term ang assistance sa DTI," she said.

(We are thankful to DTI because they have helped and assisted us from the beginning until now. DTI continues to assist us until we are in mass production. We are hoping that the assistance of the DTI is long-term)

The two main objectives of this two-day activity are to highlight the importance of high-value coconut products in strengthening the province's economic edge and to develop policies and programs aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the coconut industry. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)