The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) teamed up with PUM Netherlands, a Dutch organization specializing in coconut-based enterprises, to develop high-value products from coconut husk, in line with the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
PUM expert Cees de Kreij, a consultant with over 20 years of experience in the Dutch coconut sector, held one-on-one sessions with coconut farmers and cooperatives involved in coconut husk processing on Jan. 22, 2025.
PUM Netherlands, a network of volunteer senior business advisors, facilitated various capacity-building and product development initiatives.
Their expertise benefitted around 25 DTI CFIDP-supported coconut-based enterprises and coconut farmers in the Davao Region.
DTI 11 regional director Romeo Castañaga highlighted the development of innovative products like coconut husk-based substrates and growing media, which have strong demand in European markets.
Davao Region ranks fourth in the Philippines for both the area planted with coconut and the production volume. It is also the leading coconut producer in the country, contributing 13 percent of the national output.
Despite these strengths, the coconut industry in Davao faces low income among coconut farmers; low productivity and yield of coconut trees; lack of adequate technologies, especially post-harvest facilities; underutilization of coconut and its by-products in both domestic and export markets; and limited production of high-value products like coconut milk, cream, and water for food.
The regional trade executive acknowledged the challenges but stressed the importance of addressing them to unlock further opportunities for the sector.
“We’ve identified several obstacles in producing and promoting coconut-based products for horticultural purposes, including issues with market access, technology, innovation, and the need for laboratory facilities,” he said.
