Coconut coir.
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 10, 2011) – Regional trade officials said a coconut fiber processors and farmers, and traders are expected to attend a consultative meeting next week in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province in Western Mindanao.
Nazrullah Manzur, of the Department of Trade and Industry, said the consultation aims to spur the growth and development of the coconut coir industry in Western Mindanao .
“The industry holds so much potential for the region especially in exports. But there are a lot of gaps and issues and concerns confronting the industry to date that hinder its growth. We hope to iron those out in this consultative meeting with the stakeholders,” Manzur said.
“This consultative meeting is actually just the first of a series of inter-agency activities planned to help the industry. Depending on the results of the consultation, prioritization of assistance and intervention from the government in terms of financing, organizational development, marketing, productivity improvement, and provision of an enabling environment shall be identified,” he added.
Coir is a natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconut and primarily used in products such as floor and door mats, brushes, mattresses, upholstery padding, sacking and horticulture, string, rope and fishing nets, among others.
“We are working closely with partner agencies such as the Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, and the Fiber Industry Development Authority to provide a comprehensive package of support to the industry,” Manzur said, adding the Department of Trade and Industry is just one of the agencies of government mandated to help develop the coconut coir industry.
He said the coir industry holds so much potential because of the region’s vast tracks of coconut farms. “In fact, we are third in terms of area planted and in volume of production. Also, coco-based products such as oil and pellets, remain to date as the region’s top dollar earners,” Manzur said. (With a report from Lowell Vallecer)
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