Gov’t collaboration drives coconut-based livelihoods in Surigao Norte’s town
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — In a unified effort to unlock the economic potential of the local coconut sector, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Surigao del Norte, in collaboration with the Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU)-Mainit campus, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Agriculture (DA)-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and the local government Unit of Mainit in Surigao del Norte, spearheaded a comprehensive training on Coconut Post-Harvest Management, Small-Scale Processing, Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Production, and Value-Added Coco-Based Product Development.
Held on August 10–11 at the TESDA mini gymnasium in Mainit, the initiative brought together local coconut farmers, micro-entrepreneurs, community members, and aspiring business owners.
The intensive program was designed to equip participants with essential technical knowledge, modern post-harvest techniques, and practical processing skills to shift the community’s reliance from raw copra trading toward high-value, marketable coconut-based products.
The opening day focused on laying a solid foundational understanding of the industry landscape and technical standards.
Experts provided a thorough assessment of Surigao del Norte’s coconut industry, highlighting key growth areas, market demands, and potential enterprise paths.
Technical sessions covered best practices in harvesting, proper storage, quality assurance standards, and handling techniques designed to minimize crop losses and maintain high product standards.
Participants explored the economic viability of virgin coconut oil (VCO), focusing on its health benefits, production standards, export potential, and commercial distribution channels.
Also, resource speakers from PCA, SNSU–Mainit campus, and ATI presented available government programs, technical assistance, financing opportunities, and continuous learning extension services accessible to local agri-preneurs.
The second day transitioned from theory to practice, offering participants immersive, hands-on workshop sessions in value-added cosmetic and personal care product development.
Facilitated by industry practitioner Ludina Velez, the practical modules guided participants step-by-step through the formulations and production of high-demand items, including the nourishing shampoo bars, hydrating lip balms, and restorative hair serums.
By transforming raw coconut oil into finished cosmetic products, the session demonstrated how low-cost processing can significantly yield higher profit margins for small producers.
This multi-agency collaboration underscores a shared commitment to sustainable rural development, poverty reduction, and technology transfer in Surigao del Norte.
For his part, Tatay Wenceslao, a participant, thanked the organizers, resource speakers, and every participant for making the training such an empowering experience. “We gained actionable strategies to minimize crop losses, optimize drying processes, enhance copra and value-added product quality, and implement sustainable post-harvest technologies that truly elevate the value of our yields.”
By leveraging the combined expertise of academia (SNSU), technical training bodies (ATI and TESDA), sector-specific regulators (PCA), trade enablers (DTI), and local governance (LGU Mainit), the initiative created a complete ecosystem for sustainable micro-enterprise growth.
Moving forward, the partner institutions committed to provide continuous monitoring, market matching, and business advisory services to turn these newly acquired skills into thriving, sustainable coconut-based enterprises. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DTI-Surigao del Norte)
