BACOLOD City – Beverage giant Coca-Cola Philippines has forged partnerships with three institutions to boost the productivity of small sugarcane farmers in Negros Occidental.
To formalize the initiatives, the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. (CCFPI) entered into separate memoranda of agreement with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Philippine Sugar Research Institute (PHILSURIN), and SIMAG Foundation for the implementation of various projects that will benefit sugar block farmers in the province.
CCFPI president Cecile Alcantara said during the signing rites held at the 21 Restaurant on Thursday afternoon the partnerships mark a new phase in their initiatives for Negros Island. “We want to renew our commitment to the sugar farmers, particularly in providing water for their farms,” she said.
To date, Coca-Cola Philippines has been helping at least 40 communities in Negros Island.
The CCFPI’s agreement with SRA involves the building of water systems to augment the irrigation requirements of five block farms in Negros Occidental and to enable the farmers to plant alternative crops for food security, giving them additional income.
Block farming is a strategy adopted by the SRA for agrarian reform beneficiaries to make sugarcane farming more efficient and less costly for small farmers. The farmers are organized, and their lands are aggregated into an integrated farming block that is more productive and input-efficient.
Serafica said block farms have an average production of 40 to 50 tons per hectare, but with irrigation support, they can go as high as 70 to 75 tons per hectare.
For SIMAG Foundation, the CCFPI will provide a traveling training laboratory offering Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) accredited courses on agricultural crop production for small farmers and their children.
“The project will address the problems of farmers, especially those in far-flung communities, on having access to trainings,” Martin said.
Meanwhile, PHILSURIN will work with the foundation in research and development of high-yielding cane varieties for propagation and distribution to small farmers.
“I would like to thank Coke for their participation in increasing the productivity of the Philippine sugarcane farmers. Having quality seed is important and should be consistent,” Bennett said.
Alcantara signed the agreements for the CCFPI, with Jonah de Lumen-Pernia, public affairs and communications director of Coca-Cola Philippines.
The other signatories were SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, former SRA Administrator Ma. Regina Martin, president and chief executive officer of SIMAG Foundation, and PHILSURIN president Timothy Bennett. (PNA)
