Evaluation of the performance of the Texas A & M research foundation in fulfilling the conditions of contract AID/EA-C-1073 in the Philippines

Evaluation covers the period 3/75-4/77 and is based on site visits by an expert team. The Texas A&M Research Foundation (TAMRF) has performed satisfactorily -- i.e., new products have been developed, but evaluation of potential markets is incomplete. The Philippine Government has provided strong support and is interested in continuing the project. Copra research was postponed by mutual agreement. A pilot plant is operating well and appears economically feasible. The aqueous coconut extraction process is producing high-quality oil and byproducts (four dried and four syrup) with commercial potential. However, there is a need for market evaluations, financial studies, and more detailed work on process design. Philippine technicians were trained to operate the plant but require further assistance in research. Nonetheless, private companies" interest in utilizing the new protein products or in constructing additional plants is very low. Moreover, despite the need for and the potential value of new sources of high-quality protein, these coconut products have not proven superior to traditional foods, and the local populace has a generally negative attitude toward coconuts. It is recommended that: (1) operation of the pilot plant be continued to provide a sufficient volume of products for market testing; (2) the TAMRF provide marketing and product application specialists to companies planning to test-market the new products; (3) the high-protein, low-fiber foods produced by using the aqueous process be compared to food grade copra and coconut flour in terms of market demand and production costs; (4) detailed studies of process and scale-up design be conducted after completion of the market study but before construction of a commercial plant; and (5) serious attention be given to promoting coconut flour, copra, and high-protein, low-fiber coconut products as part of the domestic Philippine food supply. A key lesson learned was that it is more efficient to determine the marketability of end products before operating a pilot plant.