CocoLink 2016 Addresses Challenges and Opportunities of Coconut Value Chain
CocoLink 2016, the annual International Coconut Conference, is taking place 27-29 July, at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City, on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. ACDI/VOCA’s Mindanao Productivity in Agricultural Commerce and Trade (MinPACT), a USDA Food for Progress project, supports the conference and will facilitate the event’s press conference. MinPACT strengthens farmers’ capacity for improved farm management, increased productivity, product quality, and access to markets.
Organized by the Davao Region Coconut Industry Cluster, Inc. (DRCICI)–an organization that provides integrated services for the Philippine coconut industry–the event brings together local and international industry stakeholders to address challenges and optimize opportunities within the coconut value chain. Some 400 participants will also share best practices and attend panels on a variety of topics, including intercropping, development initiatives, hybrid coconuts, and business-to-businesses linkages. The conference’s third day will include a visit to a coconut farm.
Representatives from the Philippine Department of Agriculture and Trade and Industry will attend. USDA Agricultural Attaché Jeffrey Albanese spoke at the opening ceremonies today and mentioned MinPACT, one of two USDA grants totaling $21 million active in the Philippines that are part of USDA’s “win-win” approach to agricultural development in the country that maximizes U.S. exports to the Philippines while enhancing its food security. Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered the keynote address. Visit the CocoLink website for more information.
