
๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ก๐ถ๐ฐ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ๐, ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ ๐ก๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ---The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), DOST 1 - Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. 1,and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte have formalized a landmark collaboration to boost the coconut and salt industries through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the One Accelerating Salt Innovations (OneASIN) program on November 21, 2024.
This partnership, hailed as a pivotal stride for agricultural innovation, integrates the salt industry into PCAโs Coconut Fertilization Project and their mutual benefits to agriculture and local communities, leveraging salt as an essential natural fertilizer to improve coconut yields. The collaboration ensures a sustainable market for locally produced salt while boosting the livelihoods of coconut and salt farmers in the region.
PCA Administrator Dr. Dexter R. Buted, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc, and DOST-1 Regional Director Dr. Teresita Tabaog underscored the importance of this partnership in their respective messages.
Dr. Buted hailed the agreement as a โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ก๐ฆโ between two essential pillars of Philippine agriculture. โ๐โ๐๐๐ข๐โ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐, ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐โ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ,โ ADRB said.
He further streamlined the critical role of salt as a natural fertilizer in PCAโs Coconut Fertilization Project, a nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing the productivity and sustainability of coconut farms.
Under the MOU, the PCA commits to sourcing Agricultural Grade Salt Fertilizer (AGSF) from Ilocos Norteโs salt producers empowered by the OneASIN program. The initiative aligns with the PCAโs twin project of fertilization and replanting, aiming to revitalize coconut plantations while invigorating the local salt industry by providing salt farmers with a steady market while ensuring the availability of fertilizers for coconut growers.
Governor Manotoc expressed his gratitude for the collaboration, highlighting its alignment with the provinceโs goals of economic empowerment and sustainable development. While Dr. Tabaog, the driving force behind OneASIN, underscored the programโs focus on innovation and collaboration
The event also featured technology presentations showcasing innovations in salt production, including advanced methods for sea salt processing, stationary cooking facilities for cooked salt, and techniques to ensure compliance with food safety standards. These technologies aim to modernize the industry, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of locally produced salt.
The MOU complements other initiatives under the OneASIN program, including the establishment of SALT Hubs in Burgos and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. These hubs will serve as centers for research, training, and the production of value-added salt products, furthering the regionโs goal of becoming a leader in sustainable salt production.
The PCA chief recounted the Authorityโs earlier agreement with Pangasinan, which facilitated the distribution of 4,180 bags of AGSF, setting a precedent for regional collaborations. He also invited stakeholders to the upcoming Philippine Salt Congress in December, hosted by Pangasinan State University, to further discuss innovations and strategies for the industry.
โ๐โ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ . ๐ผ๐ก ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ โ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐,โ he affirmed.
The inked partnership PCA, DOST-1, and Ilocos Norte demonstrates the whole-of-nation approach in action, harnessing the collective strengths of government, science, and community to achieve shared goals. As the coconut and salt industries grow hand in hand, this initiative sets a benchmark for innovation-driven, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural development in the country.
*๐ด๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฐ๐ด ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ช๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐ง๐ช๐ค๐ช๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ค๐ฆ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐ฑ๐ข๐จ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐๐๐-๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ง๐ช๐ค๐ฆ ๐


