LOOK! The DTI-Davao del Norte RAPID Growth Project and Shared Service Facilities successfully organized the training of trainers on coco coir processing for the two coconut farmer organizations in Davao del Norte. Ten participants from San Remegio Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SARBEMCO) and Tagum City Federation of Coconut Farmers Organization completed the TESDA NC II Training on Coco Coir Processing at Amparitas Integrated Natural Farm in Barangay Tagasaka, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur held on 11-17 August 2021. Amparitas Integrated Natural Farm is an ATI-accredited learning site and TESDA-accredited farm school.
The training aims to provide venue for the participants to acquire knowledge and necessary skills in coco coir processing from coconut husks into value-added products such as coco twines, coco nets, and biologs. Moreover, the participants were able to learn the standard specification for coco coir products required by the market. The training modules include topics on Good Agricultural Practices in Coconut Production, Basic Accounting and Breakeven Analysis, Farm and Plant Safety and First Aid, Farm Machineries and Equipment Installation. Hands-on training on coco twining, weaving, biologs making, and installation of bio-engineering solution were also conducted.
Through the RAPID Growth project, the two coconut farmer organizations were linked to Amparitas Coconut Manufacturing, a coco coir manufacturer in Surigao del Sur which supplies biologs to local markets such as mining companies and government infrastructure projects for slope protection, erosion control, road construction, and steam bank and river protection. The tripartite Commercial Partnership Agreement between Amparitas Coconut Manufacturing, two coconut farmer organizations, and DTI-Davao del Norte was inked on 17 August 2021 during the closing ceremony.