updates PCA Trains Agriculturists Anew
COCO SUGAR: A sweet success for MisOr Coop Truly a pride of Misamis Oriental, the Linabu Agrarian Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Lampco) came out as the top grosser during the Market Week Philippines 2012, a trade fair and showground of on-sale world-class items and products. The cooperative formerly had mostly copraproducing members but they shifted to coco sugar production when they realized it was a better source of income. Initially, they faced problems after the switch but they persevered as they were encouraged by the Department of Agrarian Reform 10, which provided the necessary technology and capital to jump start the coco sugar production. Now, the cooperative is hoping to reach a bigger market in this year’s International Food Exhibition (IFEX), which is the country’s largest gathering of international food processors, exporters, producers, and buyers. “It was during our first IFEX participation in 2010 where we were able to close a deal with various coco sugar consolidators in Manila, demanding up to five tons of coco sugar per month,” said Lampco General Manager Maria Virgenia Pejoro. She added that it was indeed a long stretch from their production of at least three kilos per day
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CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
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The PCA’s Coconut Extension Training Center (CETC) has recently completed six batches of Specialized Course on Coconut Agro-technology and Extension Techniques for PCA Agriculturists. Two hundred fifty two (252) newly hired extension workers coming from different regions of the country were trained. PCA-XI Regional Manager Rex Buac told the participants that the CETC is where everything starts for their extension careers. “Hindi naman dito humihinto ang With their bags of salt and tools on hand, trainees line up to apply what they learning process, marami din naman learned on the field kayong matutunan sa field,”(Your learning As PCA continues to bring changes within the process doesn’t end here. You will also learn organization, the management also hopes that the new a lot in the field. ) he said. agriculturists will bring about changes in the industry Deputy Administrator for Field that can benefit the coconut farmers. Services Branch, Roel M. Rosales challenged the participants to offer their loyalty and dedication not only to PCA but also to the small coconut farmers, who are their main clients. He added, “This is an opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of ordinary people and touch the lives of the poor and the marginalized.”
Maria Virgenia Pejora standing beside their coop’s highly regarded coco sugar product. when they first started. “We are currently producing at least 10 tons per month, and we are thrilled by this increased demand for healthy and organic products,” Pejoro said. Lampco’s coco sugar has an organic certification from ECOCERT SA, is carbon neutral certified, and FDA-approved. To add to their growing success, Lampco’s coco sugar has already reached Japan and the United States. This is a strong indication that Mindanao is reaffirming its position as the country’s food basket and the leading food processing hub in the country. Both in the local and international markets, the main selling point of coco sugar is its low glycemic index (35) which makes the release of glucose to the bloodstream slower than the typical cane sugar. This makes coco sugar the best sugar for the diabetics.
Source: www.sunstar.com.ph business.inquirer.net