The project People Centered Innovation and Livelihood Integration (PILI) road to recovery is aimed at restarting the livelihood of entrepreneurs and farmers affected by typhoons and pandemic. Set up of a processing facility for pili nuts will benefit 500 farmers, 1,300 women entrepreneurs and generate at least 20% additional income for the beneficiaries.
The project identified the bottlenecks on the pilinut value chain that need to be resolved. They are as follows:
Input: Crop management focused on the low quality of pili harvest
Consolidation and storage, to deal on the postharvest losses
Processing technology, regarding shelf life, value adding for processors, FDA compliance
Marketing, understanding market requirements
Various interventions will be implemented to respond to the mentioned bottlenecks being faced by the pili farmers and entrepreneurs. Major components of the PILI project include:
Consolidation – to secure supply of quality raw materials and inputs
Processing – provision of facility equipment for manufacturing pilinuts and its by-products
Incubation, research, and development – develop business models, conduct research and product development
Market development, sales, and promotion
Government and private institutions will support the implementation of the project. Sources of funds will be coming from Santeh Foundation for the building construction, Rotary ICC for the machines and other equipment, SEDP for the buying fund, and SEARCA GRAINS for the technology adoption component of the PILI road to recovery project.
1. Technology on proper pilinut crop management, harvesting, storage and consolidation.
2. Product development on pilinut and oil production
3. Research and technology trials on wet and cold process of pulp extraction
4. Setting up quality standards and protocols that will meet market requirements.