To aid the coconut industry of Leyte and encourage a more productive sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has started to distribute coconut planting materials and financial assistance to coconut farmers of the province.
Twenty local farmers, who are part of the Participatory Coconut Planting Project, received checks worth P3,000 each from the Philippine Coconut Authority, in addition to the P30,000 worth of planting materials.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar, during a dialogue with the Provincial Local Government Units, has assured the revitalization of the national coconut industry and stressed the importance of diversifying into value-added products.
“Copra prices are going down following the downtrend in prices in the global market.”
Dar added that copra prices are going down following the downtrend in prices in the global market.
“Prices are down because of oversupply of palm oil,” the agriculture chief explained.
In line with this, the agriculture head stressed the need to develop other products from coconut.
“Explore other high-value products aside from coconut oils,” he said.
In response, Ang Waray Partylist Rep. Noel Florencio sought the support of Dar in the transport of coconut wine, locally known as tuba, to markets outside the province.
“To experience and enjoy the authentic taste of Leyte’s tuba, bottles have to be filled up the brim.”
Florencio explained that for one to experience and enjoy the authentic taste of Leyte’s tuba, bottles have to be filled up to the brim.
Airline companies however, do not allow the transport of completely filled bottles inside the aircraft.
“Di pinapasakay sa eroplano ang tuba namin. Kung payagan man hindi puno kaya nawawala yung totoo at tamang lasa ng tubang Leyte,” the legislator said.
Dar has agreed to look into this concern, including doing research and exploration on other means of transporting coconut wine.
He added that the DA will help in the packaging and branding of the wine, and will also assist in the development of business strategies to help the industry and the stakeholders dependent on it.
Stressing the need to elevate the quality of coconut wine, Dar said the DA will fund a study for the development and leveling-up of the product next year.