Davao del Sur coconut farmers, through a Science and Technology-based (S&T) Community-based Farm (STCBF) project, were taught how to boost coco sap and cocosugar production, processing and promotion in the local and international markets, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development reported.
In a statement, PCAARRD said the project—STCBF on Coco Sap Production and TechnoMart Projects: Propelling the Cocosugar Industry Development in Davao del Sur—was implemented by the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology and funded by the Department of Science and Technology and the council itself.
The project saw a 43.64-percent increase in the number of accredited and organized coco sap gatherers. The coco sap gatherers were trained in fertilizer application, good manufacture practice, and food safety, while the adopters were trained in initial sap boiling. Some 1,096 coconut trees were rehabilitated using vermicast and salt.
The products were promoted in 19 trade fairs and exhibits where promotional materials and product brochures were distributed. They were also promoted in TV and radio programs.
Currently, the cocosugar products are distributed in the United States, Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The 1st National Coconut Sap Sugar Congress cited the cocosugar industry as a sunrise industry and cocosugar as new superstar in the export industry. It has a low Glycemic Index (GI) compared with other natural sweeteners that are sugarcane-based. Low GI products can help control diabetes mellitus, reduce bad cholesterol and control weight.
The project is one of the finalists in the development category of the 2016 National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development held on Wednesday at the DoST-PCAARRD Complex in Los Baños, Laguna.