Stakeholders from various sectors involved in the makapuno industry participated in the 2nd National Makapuno Summit hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – CALABARZON and Cavite State University (CvSU) on November 26 to 27, 2020.
With the theme “Empowering the Stakeholders of the Philippine Makapuno Industry Amidst the Pandemic”, the event aimed to discuss significant contributions in the development of the makapuno industry and to identify gaps which can be filled through possible partnerships.
In his message, Hon. Fortunato T. de la Peña, DOST Secretary, emphasized the opportunities brought by makapuno as a high value crop while also encouraging participants to continue collaborations to further develop the said industry. Meanwhile, Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal, Administrator of Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), inspired the participants to mainstream appreciation for science and technology in various fields as he mentioned the activities in different makapuno farms. Both served as guests of honor in the said activity.
The participants also witnessed the e-launching of the growth chamber developed by the National Coffee Research, Development and Extension Center to produce disease-free and quality coffee and makapuno planting materials. The said technology was funded by DOST – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development while DOST-CALABARZON funded the piloting of the said technology. The Makapuno Research, Development and Extension (RDE) Center to be established at CvSU was also launched geared at spearheading various makapuno-related RDE initiatives.
An awarding ceremony was also held to give recognition to those who made significant contribution to the successful implementation of the Makapuno Island Project. They are the following: Mr. Joel J. Arandela (Best Farmer); Mr Nelson T. Omila (Special Recognition); Ms. Myleen L. Culing (Best Farm Technician); and Ms. Zita M. Mesa (Best Municipal Agricultural Officer). Dr. Alexander R. Madrigal, Regional Director of DOST-CALABARZON, was also given a Plaque of Recognition for setting directions and accomplishing milestones in the makapuno industry through his leadership and initiatives. Meanwhile, the winners for the poster competition recognized during the summit include: PCA-Albay Research Center for the Coconut Ice Cream with Makapuno Liquid Endosperm (1st place and Viewers’ Choice Award); National Coconut Research Center – Visayas and College of Engineering, Visayas State University for the Development and Quality Evaluation of ‘Makapuno’ (Cocos nucifera L. ‘makapuno’) Biscotti (2nd place); and Department of Agriculture RFO-IVA – Lipa Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (LARES) for the Sustainable Embryo-Cultured Makapuno Production at Lipa Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (3rd place).
The summit was also loaded with relevant discussions on global and local makapuno landscape through the following plenary speakers: Dr. Le Cong Nong, Director of Institute of Oil and Oil Plant in Vietnam; Dr. Roland Bourdeix, International Expert of Diversiflora Enterprise in France; Mr. Alfred Kembu, manager of Productivity Improvement Program Kokonas Indastri Koporesen in Papua New Guinea; Dr. Hengky Novarianto, Senior Scientist at Indonesia Palm Crops Research Institute in Indonesia; Dr.Alexander R. Madrigal, Regional Director of DOST-CALABARZON; Ms. Maria Buena A. Ubaldo, Science Research Specialist II at PCA-ALbay Research Center; Mr. Ramon Rivera, Regional Manager of PCA-CALABARZON; Mr. Policarpio Abary, Makapuno Entrepreneur in Quezon; Dr. Joel Lee, Director of School of Chemical Life Sciences at Nanyang Polytechnic in Singapore; and Mr. Jun Ayensa, Makapuno Farmer.
An estimate of 220 stakeholders participated in the said summit conducted via Zoom and streamed live on Facebook. Participants were composed of makapuno farmers and processors, state universities and colleges and other private higher education institutions, national government agencies, non-government organizations, local government units and other interested private individuals.
