DA to launch coconut development programs

Agriculture Secretary William Dar has long known the plight of the more than 2.5 million Filipino coconut farmers, who form part of the country's poorest of the poor.

So, when Republic Act 11524, or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 26, 2021, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) upon the direction of Secretary Dar immediately drew up and formulated the programs and projects under the five-year Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) that will be funded by the P75-billion Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF).