Agriculture leaders, farmers, and stakeholders from across the Philippines gathered at the Iloilo Convention Center from November 6 to 8 for the National Coffee, Cacao, and Coconut (CoCaNut) Congress 2024. Organized by the POPA Agriculture Cooperative in partnership with the Iloilo City Government, Iloilo Provincial Government, and regional agricultural institutions, the event featured the theme, "𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠," emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices in a warming world.

With over 1,000 participants, including producers, exhibitors, and representatives from universities, research institutions, SMEs, cooperatives, LGUs, and NGOs, the congress was set to be one of the largest gatherings focused on advancing the Philippine coffee, cacao, and coconut sectors. The congress featured a trade exhibition showcasing the latest in agricultural innovations, providing a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing among industry players.

In his remarks, PCA Administrator & CEO, Dr. Dexter R. Buted, highlighted the essential roles of coffee, cacao, and coconut in Philippine culture, economy, and their combined potential to drive sustainable agricultural development. “𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑠; 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦’𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠,” ADRB stated, urging participants to commit to building resilient agricultural systems in the face of climate challenges.

The PCA chief also underscored the urgency of adaptive strategies to mitigate climate-related risks in agriculture. “𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡; 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑢𝑠,” he remarked. “𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑒. 𝑂𝑢𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟: 𝑤𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑡.”

The PCA presented several key initiatives under its Coconut Industry Sustainability Roadmap (2024-2028), which includes a goal to plant 100 million new coconut seedlings by 2028. Dubbed as its ‘twin programs’ the PCA's Massive Coconut Planting and Replanting Program (MCPRP) and Coconut Fertilization Project are set to revitalize the coconut industry, boost productivity, and support sustainability.

Throughout the event, industry experts shared insights on advanced pest management technologies, improved genetic materials, and innovative techniques for enhancing crop resilience. The congress also included high-level discussions and collaborative panels on food security, climate-resilient farming, and market opportunities for coffee, cacao, and coconut in the international arena, setting a strategic course for sustainable growth.

During his brief stay to Iloilo City, the Administrator, accompanied by his team, held a strategic meeting with the PCA Regional Office, led by Regional Manager Neil J. Melencion (Region VI). The agenda centered on addressing pressing issues impacting the coconut industry in the Western Visayas.

The meeting, which became a key part of the chief’s itinerary, aimed to make the most of his short stay. Regional representatives provided a comprehensive report covering industry statistics, ongoing projects, recent accomplishments, and financial challenges unique to the area. Administrator Buted assured the team that their concerns and field insights would play an essential role in shaping the PCA's central office strategies, recognizing the regional office’s frontline experience with local farmers and stakeholders.

As the Philippine coffee, cacao, and coconut industries confront complex environmental and economic challenges, the CoCaNut Congress 2024 headlined the sector’s vital role in advancing rural development and strengthening national economic resilience. The event energized stakeholders to push for innovative, climate-smart solutions, reaffirming a united commitment to building a sustainable, thriving future for Philippine agriculture.