Agricultural Counsellor Morgan Haas and Agricultural Specialist Lary Nel B. Abao of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service visited Pasciolco Agri Ventures in Tiaong, Quezon. The USDA links US agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security by removing trade barriers and enforcing US rights under existing trade agreements. They work closely with foreign governments to improve accountability and predictability for agricultural trade.

The USDA is currently working on the Oilseeds and Products Annual Report, which includes coconut oil. Spouses Manolito and Maura Pasciolo, as one of the coconut-based food products exporters from Quezon, provided information on the coconut industry. DTI staff shared insights on trends in the coconut industry and the programs and services provided to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Also present during the visit were DTI industry cluster head, Ma. Graciela C. Ledesma, and coconut-food focal person, Honeylee O. Eclavea. ♦

Date of Release: 17 February 2022