Malaysia seeks Davao coconut shells for renewable energy development

DAVAO CITY — Regional agriculture officials have initiated discussions with a Malaysian energy company to evaluate the potential market for coconut shells as a renewable energy resource in Mindanao.

The Department of Agriculture-Davao Region's Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division recently convened with representatives from Borneo New Energy to assess the feasibility of supplying coconut shell biomass. The meetings focused on determining local production volumes and the consistency of coconut shell availability in the region.

Coconut shells have emerged as a viable alternative energy source in Southeast Asia, offering a sustainable application for agricultural byproducts that are typically discarded. The shells contain high calorific content suitable for energy generation and industrial applications.

Davao Region, one of the Philippines' major coconut-producing areas, processes substantial volumes of coconuts annually, generating significant quantities of shells. The potential partnership could create additional income streams for local producers while supporting regional economic development through value-added agricultural exports.

Details regarding pricing, supply agreements, and implementation timelines were not immediately disclosed. The discussions represent early-stage exploration of cross-border agricultural commerce opportunities within the ASEAN region.