Empowering coco farmers for biodiesel production
A micro-enterprise project for coconut Farmers in Romblon

Download publication in PDF format.

(Extract from the article)

In the marble and coconut-rich island province of Romblon, PEF
is partnering with a local-based St Vincent Ferrer Parish Multi-purpose Cooperative (SVFPMPC) in a trailblazing development project aimed at increasing the level of biodiesel production for the country, while enabling farmers to become its prime movers through unprecedented farming incentives.


“While there are a number of industry players towards this end, one angle we want to look at is how we can empower coconut farmers to become active players in the energy production process, and save them from the insensitivity of most commercial copra buyers in mainland Luzon,” said Jenebeth Conanan, SVFPMPC General Manager.

Conanan was referring to the absence of coconut processing plants based in the province, and the underdog treatment that coconut farmers get when selling off -island as reasons the latter have been demoralized to continue farming. Romblon has 17 municipalities and 219 barangays whose major economic activities are farming and cottage industries. Although it produces 700,000 coconuts per day, the only major manufacturing facilities in the province are for the marbles, and nothing for the coconut.

“There were days when we just saw coconuts along the roads, with almost no one minding them,” Coconan said, describing the hopelessness of local farmers in investing in coconuts.

You can download the entire formatted article in PDF format here.

 

 

Back to Top