View source for DTI empowers officials of farmer cooperatives in Zambo Sur

*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=809494
*Tuesday, September 29, 2015
:(PNA), FFC/BNB/TPGJR/HDC

PAGADIAN CITY, Sept. 29 (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held a two-day Business Management Seminar and Operations Manual Writeshop for key officials of four farmer-cooperatives that recently received equipment through its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

DTI Provincial Director Ma. Socorro Atay told the Philippines News Agency that the seminar, which started Monday and ended Tuesday, was aimed to empower the farmer-cooperatives officials with the abilities that will ensure the success of the SSF projects.

Atay said those who attended the seminar are the officials of the following cooperatives: Josefina Abaca Strippers Association (JASA); Molave Abaca Strippers Association (MASA); Labangan Farmers First Consolidated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAFFICO); Kahugungan sa Mag-uuma, Mamumuon Kababayen-an sa Zamboanga del Sur (KASAMMAKA); and, Dinas Small Coconut Farmers Organization (DCFO).

They received last week abaca processing machines, organic fertilizer processing machines and coco coir processing equipment from DTI through the SSF program with a total worth of PHP3,680,000.

Atay said the SSF program is a priority project of DTI under the “big push” for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) development program.

Atay said the SSF aims to address the gaps in the supply chain of an identified project by providing processing or manufacturing tools, equipment and machines for the common use of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

She said among the objectives of the SSF projects is to enhance the competitiveness of the priority industry clusters through the use of quality and productivity enhancing machinery and equipment.

She said the SSF projects also hope to develop priority and market-driven industries in support to the National Industry Capacity Enhancement Program (NICEP).