Source: Sun Star
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) have conducted a one-day stakeholders' conference aimed to validate the Zamboanga Peninsula 2013 coco-coir industry action plan.
DTI Zamboanga Peninsula Director Nazrullah Manzur said the validation was necessary to ensure that the strategies, programs, projects, and activities outlined for 2013 are being carried out according to the plan.
"We also want to know if our earlier interventions have made positive impact to the industry," Manzur said, citing the stakeholders' gab was held Thursday in Dipolog City.
Manzur noted that a stakeholders’ consultative conference for the coco-coir industry was held in November 2011 in Pagadian City following the value chain action planning workshops conducted in the same year for the six regional champion products, to include coconut.
Manzur said the results of the consultation formed the basis for the subsequent prioritization of government intervention to the industry in terms of financing, organizational development, marketing, productivity improvement, and provision of an enabling environment.
He said the DTI, in convergence with partner agencies, mandated to develop the industry such as the PCA, the Department of Agriculture, and Department of Science and Technology, as well as the Fiber Industry Development Authority.
He said coco-coir along with coco-peat production presents a lot of potential in the international and domestic markets.
Coco-coir, when woven into so-called coco nets or geo-textiles, is proven effective and ecologically sound material for soil erosion control especially along steep slopes and embankments.
It is also used extensively as a component in the production of mattresses.
A by-product in coco-coir production, the coir dust or coco peat, meanwhile, has gained much attention from gardeners as a soil conditioner and medium for growing crops.
"We also want to know if our earlier interventions have made positive impact to the industry," Manzur said, citing the stakeholders' gab was held Thursday in Dipolog City.
Manzur noted that a stakeholders’ consultative conference for the coco-coir industry was held in November 2011 in Pagadian City following the value chain action planning workshops conducted in the same year for the six regional champion products, to include coconut.
Manzur said the results of the consultation formed the basis for the subsequent prioritization of government intervention to the industry in terms of financing, organizational development, marketing, productivity improvement, and provision of an enabling environment.
He said the DTI, in convergence with partner agencies, mandated to develop the industry such as the PCA, the Department of Agriculture, and Department of Science and Technology, as well as the Fiber Industry Development Authority.
He said coco-coir along with coco-peat production presents a lot of potential in the international and domestic markets.
Coco-coir, when woven into so-called coco nets or geo-textiles, is proven effective and ecologically sound material for soil erosion control especially along steep slopes and embankments.
It is also used extensively as a component in the production of mattresses.
A by-product in coco-coir production, the coir dust or coco peat, meanwhile, has gained much attention from gardeners as a soil conditioner and medium for growing crops.