By Teofilo P. Garcia Jr
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 25 (PNA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is providing a boost to the livelihood undertaking of an organization of farmers in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.
DTI-Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Officer Ma. Socorro Atay said they are set to release next week a P1.6 million coco coir machine to the Dumalinao Small Coconut Farmers Organization (DSCFO) based in Dumalinao municipality.
Atay said the coco coir machine is part of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program of DTI that aims to provide Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with common service facilities, modern equipment and access to the latest in technology.
Atay said the program is being implemented to assist SMEs to become competitive thereby tapping a wider market.
She said the coco coir machine can process 5,000 nuts in eight-hour operation.
DTI’s Industry and Investment Division chief Roger Sarsalejo said with the machine, coco coir can be utilized by the DSCFO members.
Sarsalejo said coco coir is among the many by-products of coconuts.
The processing of coco coir is seen to be an additional source of income for the farmer-beneficiaries of the equipment. (PNA)