In Cebu City, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has embarked on a significant initiative by surveying approximately 1,800 coconut farmers in Central Visayas to lay the groundwork for an upcoming medical program. Ma. Isabel Mamanao, the project development officer for PCA-Central Visayas, highlighted that the survey targeted farmers in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) across Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, and Bohol. This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance the welfare of coconut farmers in these regions.
In a related development, 50 coconut farmers from the same region are set to benefit from the Native Animal Breeder Production Program (NABPP), a component of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) executed by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Mark Nerey Tomalon, head of the CFIDP farm operation group, announced that these farmers will receive various types of livestock, including chickens, pigs, goats, and cows, aimed at boosting their income and diversifying their resources while they await their coconut trees to mature and bear fruit.
The distribution of livestock is organized into clusters based on the type of animal received. For instance, 15 farmers will be equipped with poultry resources, including 50 chicks, chicken feed, vaccines, fencing materials, and a 1,000-egg capacity incubator. Other farmers will receive pigs, goats, or cows, complete with necessary feeds and health supplements.
Tomalon emphasized that this initiative is a crucial step towards providing a sustainable livelihood boost for coconut farmers, reflecting a comprehensive approach to supporting the coconut farming community in Central Visayas.