VSU to expand coconut processing with new retort facility under DTI-SSF Project

This initiative is expected to boost the production of coconut water beverages and other coconut-based products, directly benefitting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Eastern Visayas.

The retort equipment will allow NCRC-V to process coconut water beverages with extended shelf life without the need for refrigeration or preservatives. By applying high heat in sealed containers, the method sterilizes the product, making it safe for consumption while cutting down on labor costs and increasing production efficiency.

Since 2015, the coconut processing facility at VSU has been serving MSMEs through training, technology transfer, and product development support. Previous equipment provided by DTI enabled NCRC-V to introduce a line of makapuno-based food products, including preserves, macaroons, ice cream, and baked goods. These innovations led to a marked rise in both sales and clientele, with gross revenues increasing by up to ₱721,373 from 2021 to 2023, and training beneficiaries growing from 121 to 394.

Beyond product development, NCRC-V has also extended its reach to grassroots communities. Earlier this year, the center conducted a coconut production and processing training with a persons with disabilities (PWD) organization in Santa Fe, Leyte, equipping participants with practical skills in coconut-based enterprise development. 

The addition of a new steam retort unit builds on this progress by expanding the scope of services offered at VSU. It addresses the increasing consumer demand for healthier and safer coconut-based beverages while opening more opportunities for local processors to compete in larger markets.

Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), DTI will handle procurement and turnover of the equipment, while VSU will provide the housing facility, technical staff, and operational capital. 

The university will continue to manage the facility, making it accessible not only to MSMEs but also to students, researchers, and other entrepreneurs seeking affordable access to modern food processing technology.

For Eastern Visayas, this project represents an expanded pathway for livelihood generation and enterprise growth in the coconut sector. For VSU, it further strengthens its role as a center for agricultural innovation and technology application, bringing research outcomes from the laboratory to the marketplace in ways that uplift communities and promote regional development.

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: No Poverty; SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and; SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals.