DAVAO CITY, Oct. 23 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 (Davao Region) highlighted Thursday the importance of boosting the coconut industry, viewing it not only as a traditional crop but also as a vital component of rural development.

In a statement, DA-11 regional director Macario Gonzaga said coconut remains a vital crop in the region.

According to the 2024 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the region produced over 2.2 million metric tons of non-food industrial crops, with coconut making up 87.2 percent of the total.

"Despite these achievements, our farmers face serious challenges-low prices, aging trees, climate change, pests, diseases, and limited post-harvest access," Gonzaga noted.

Speaking at the opening of th...