The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) is eyeing a possible partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in terms of enhancing the competitiveness of S&T-based agri enterprises.
This developed during an orientation meeting cum assessment of selected woman-led or women-operated enterprises, which were supported by PCAARRD through its TechnoMart projects. The meeting was initiated by the Socio-economics Research Division (SERD) of PCAARRD.
The enterprises were initially identified by the Council’s Gender and Development (GAD) Technical Working Group (TWG). These include Sagada Gold Arabica Coffee of the Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers and Processors Organization, Mountain Province; Vacuum-fried and dehydrated jackfruit of the Baybay Women Food Processors Association, Baybay, Leyte; and Bamboo-woven products of KAPAWA, Maasin, Iloilo. S&T-based interventions to improve these products were explained during the meeting.
Pacita “Chit” Juan, social entrepreneur and founder of Figaro Coffee Corporation; Marcelina Alcantara, assistant regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region IV-A; and Luzviminda Villanueva, project managing consultant of PCW gave their initial assessment of the products and suggested ways to enhance their marketability.
For jackfruit, Juan stressed further improvements in terms of pricing, marketing, and packaging. The supply chain study on jackfruit, which was conducted in 2009 may need updating and reassessment to gage if the current supply of fresh jackfruits is adequate to meet the demand for vacuum-fried and dehydrated processed products.
To achieve global competitiveness for Sagada coffee, Juan explained the importance of securing an international certification for Sagada coffee growers. She also explained the need for Sagada Gold Arabica Coffee product to further undergo product and packaging development, including improvement in marketing strategies.
Alcantara of DTI expressed support on these aspects. She presented the Regional Coffee R&D and Program of which Sagada Gold Arabica Coffee can be included as recipient of DTI’s services.
For bamboo-woven products, Juan encouraged the use of natural dye. Designs can be improved by working with the Design Center of the Philippines.
Moreover, Juan mentioned an effective marketing strategy. She said that buyers are inclined to buy products with a story to tell. The story of the makers, the product, and the place, can be printed in the packaging materials.
PCW’s new project, Supporting Women Economic Empowerment in the Philippines, is able to provide assistance in terms of product development, product design, packaging and labeling. These are among the services that the project can provide, said Villanueva. PCW is working with private and government agencies to achieve the project outcomes.
DOST central and regional offices and selected attached agencies will be involved in the process. PCAARRD GAD-TWG is proposing a gender-responsive value chain analysis and development of the three products. This is to ensure the suitability, need-based, and inclusiveness of the interventions prior to actual implementation.
Fe Singson, DOST GAD Program Manager, coordinates DOST’s participation in the project. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development (DFATD), Government of Canada, this six-year project is expected to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of women microenterprises as well as the coordination and service delivery of the stakeholders.