DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Iranun Development Council (IDC) held a two-day foundational training on the Coconut Industry Landscape and Market Opportunities from November 11–12 in Davao City, aimed at strengthening local capacities in coconut-based production and enterprise development across member municipalities.

The training gathered coconut farmers, officers and members of coconut-based cooperatives, women entrepreneurs, and local government personnel from the IDC member municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Matanog, and Parang.

Resource persons from the Philippine Coconut Authority Region XIV–BARMM provided technical inputs and sector updates. Engr. Rasul A. Piang, Agriculturist II, and Lester Jake C. Dela Serna, Acting Project Development Officer IV, discussed the current state of the coconut industry, including key challenges, market trends, and emerging opportunities for value addition. They also guided participants in identifying local production gaps and developing community-based coconut profiles.

Organizers said the activity is part of the IDC’s broader effort to prepare local stakeholders for future value-adding ventures, including a proposed medium-scale coconut cooking oil refinery initiative. The program also supports the development of sustainable agricultural enterprises within the Iranun municipalities. The training was organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), with support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID Philippines), as part of ongoing initiatives to strengthen local economic development in the region.