42nd COCOTECH set August in Manila

Coconut stakeholders from the Asia-Pacific region are meeting this August to discuss developments and issues of the industry, regarded as one of the most powerful in the agricultural sector.

Philippine Coconut Authority 7 manager Atty. Deodiro Ravelo said coconut traders, producers and manufacturers from more than 10 countries in Asia and the Pacific Coconut Community are attending the 42nd COCOTECH in Manila.

Some of the delegates will also visit the Visayas for a possible tour of scenic spots as well as the coconut nurseries.

Ravelo said part of the said congress will take up the most recent development on the use and marketability of the coconut diesel, one of the major thrusts of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Coconut diesel, Ravelo said is already widely used by some Asian countries like Indonesia and the model for this technology is found in Marshall Islands in the Pacific.

In this 42nd COCOTECH meeting, eminent resource speakers are deliberating on various issues of globalization affecting the coconut industry and how to make it more competitive.

Ravelo said there will also be a lot of opportunities for interactions with processors, buyers and sellers.

Other than the coconut diesel, the now popular Virgin Coconut Oil, will be extensively deliberated by experts and producers from its production, promotion and marketing stage to make such global competitive.

Other topics include Production of Quality Planting Materials of Hybrids, Selected Local Varieties and Synthetic Seeds in Community Managed Nurseries, Coconut Shell Activated Carbon and Coconut Husk Base and other Products.

Culminating the activity is a Coconut Festival featuring coconut products from all over the country.- Ferliza C. Contratista