BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — A company in a small barangay in the province of Apayao is helping boost coconut production in the Cordillera region.
The coconut is a common commodity in tropical countries like the Philippines. Referred to as the tree of life, it is mostly grown for its diverse use, bringing huge opportunities for the cultivators and coconut product manufacturers.
The southern part of the country comprises most of the coconut production, but barangay Zumigui in Luna, Apayao, is starting to flourish in the coconut industry.
The Zumigui Coconut Products of the Dumapayao Farms Corporation(DFC), a local enterprise, promotes coconut as the tree of life, creating numerous products from its shell, husk, water, to its meat.
“Coconut is life, awan ti masayang, isunga jay shell na isu ti ar-aramiden da nga charcoal, tapos coco peat naman jay cover nan, santo jay meat na isu ti maextract nga agbalin nga oil, isu ti kunkunan mi nga virgin coconut oil(VCO), tapos jay sapal na isu ti agbalin nga coconut flour” said Elna Bee Belen, sales and administrative officer of Dumapayao Food Corps (DFC), said Elna Bee Belen, sales and administrative officer of DFC.
(Coconut is life, nothing is wasted. The shell can be turned into charcoal, the husk is made into coco peat, the meat is extracted for its oil-called as virgin coconut oil, and the pulp can be made as coconut flour.)
Belen shared that previously, the coconut b was not being utilized well in the community.
“Idi, kasla nga sayang dagiti niyog, tumutubo lang sa kung saan saan, nu mairuwar, nalaka iti panaggatang,” she said.
(Before, coconuts were wasted. It just grows anywhere and when sold outside of Apayao, it was cheap.)
With the support of government agencies like the Department of Science and Technology, DFC realized the full potential of coconut – turning it into VCO, vinegar, and beauty products, among others.
Along with comprehensive training for the farm’s personnel, the DOST also provided processing machines and equipment through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
While benefitting from its wide array of uses, this also uplifted the coconut farmers of Zumigui.
“Isu nga tattan amin nga farmers inkuwa mi talaga isu da nga ijay ti pagbagsakan da ti inyog dan, isunga haan da problema, imbis nga awan kwarta na ti harvest ti coconut idi, tatta as in na-impact en nga adda gayam pangibagsakan na” Belen explained.
(We are encouraging the farmers to bring their coconuts to the DFC. They don’t have to worry anymore where to sell their produce. This has a huge impact because they can earn from their coconut harvests.)
Zumigui Coconut Products of the DFC have been featured in local and regional trade fairs like the Impakabsat, a trade fair which highlights the celebration and exposition of upland culture as well as tourism and investment potential of the region.
The DFC is now also stepping up its product promotion, leveraging digital platforms namely Shopee and Tiktok. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
