MOA SIGNING FOR COCO DEVELOPMENT IN CARAGA REGION
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 9 (PIA) --The Department of Agriculture (DA) through OneDA Caraga teamed up with Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) in developing the coconut industry in Caraga Region.
The collaboration ignited with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of the Crop-Livestock Comprehensive Farming System and Coconut Seed Farm Technology Demonstration to be established at SSCT Mainit Campus in the town of Mainit, Surigao del Norte.
The MOA was inked through Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr., Department of Agriculture-Caraga Regional Executive Director; Joel Oclarit, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Caraga Regional Manager; Fil Victor Babanto, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Center Director represented by Planning Officer Nena Lomuntad; and Dr. Gregorio Gamboa, Jr., SSCT President.
PCA Manager Oclarit said that the MOA will pave the way for the establishment of the coco seed farm at the soonest possible time on the 20 hectares of land committed by SSCT to produce high-yielding planting materials.
He added that PCA will provide the mother planting materials and technical assistance as a start-up and SSCT will manage the project.
“It is an advantage for the coconut farmers in the region since soon we will have our own source of planting materials, unlike today, that we will source it out from other regions, so farmers can assure quality,” Oclarit added.
He also said that aside from being a coconut seed farm, the project will also serve as a research area for students and other interested stakeholders.
Marco Antonio Morido, High-Value Crops Development Program Coordinator said that DA-Caraga will support the project through the provisions of planting materials to be intercropped with coconut and livestock animals, as well as monitor the progress of the project.
ATI on the other hand will provide technical assistance through training and other related extension services.
Also witnessed during the signing ceremony were Christopher Lindo, Chairperson of the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC); Rebecca Reyes Atega, Regional Technical Director for Operations; Ruby Ann Lagahit, Provincial Agriculturist of Surigao del Norte; and other visitors. (DA- Caraga/PIA- Surigao del Norte)
