International Coconut Community(ICC) in collaboration with International Trade Centre (ITC) organized an online training on 3rd August on Processing and Marketing of Coconut Sugar; Coconut Jelly-Nata de Coco. Panel discussions on the topics to clarify and reinforce learning conducted on 24th September . The training is part of the MoU executed between ICC and the ITC with the purpose to establish a framework of engagement and cooperation between ITC and the ICC to develop mechanisms for transferring technology relating to value-added coconut products, under the project “Alliances for the Coconut Industry Development Expansion and Enhanced Support for the Caribbean”.
This is the first of a series of training and webinar lined up. The other partner collaborator of this series is CARIFORUM financed by the European Union, and implemented by ITC, CARDI, and important Alliances partners, ACP, and Coconut Industry Board.
The discussion started with the introductory remarks by Mr. Francessco Beggiato of ITC. The resource speakers participated and presented in the training conducted on 3rd August were: Mrs. Erlene Manohar, Deputy Administrator (R&D), Philippie Coconut Authority, Philippines; Mr. Sarapee Yuadyong, Managing Director, Chiwadi Products, Co. Ltd., Thailand; Mr. Jerry Wungkana, Researcher, Indonesian Palm Crop Research Institute, Manado. The topics covered were: “Processing and Production of Coconut Sugar”; Marketing and Exporting of Coconut Sugar” and Processing and Marketting of Nata de Coco. In the panel discussion the resource speakers addressed the questions received from the participants based on the training held on 3 August 2021.
The major questions included cost of production and machineries used for processing of coconut sugar; shelf life of nata de coco; health benefits; quality standards; varieties preferred; time of harvesting of sap; pH of coconut water and brix value. In the discussion session representatives from CARDI; private and public sector organizations; individual stakeholders participated. The discussion were very productive and interactive. In her closing remarks, Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director, ICC, expressed her appreciation to the ITC for the great collaboration of capacity building and technology transfer to ICC members and other countries in Carribean, Africa and South America. She encouraged all the participants to go forward and build up coconut sugar and Nata de coco start ups in their regions or countries. This technical discussion was moderated by Mr. Vincent Johnson, Interim COGENT coordinator, ICC.