PCA to stabilize DavOr’s coco industry

ORIENTAL— Amidst the dwindling price of copra, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will stabilize the coconut industry of this province.

During the coconut farmer’s summit on June 16 at the Honey’s Hotel in Mati City, PCA National Administrator Romulo Dela Rosa said that coconut industry here should be sustained to steady the price of copra and whole nuts, the leading products of coconut farmers here.

“Coconut industry is one of the pillars of the Philippine economy however these farmers are one of the poorest sectors in agriculture with the copra price at only P20 per kilo. This cannot defray the cost of the farmer’s operational expenses which is at P15 per kilo,” Dela Rosa explains.

Although the copra price might increase next month, Dela Rosa encouraged the coconut farmers to propose to the district representatives here to pass a bill that would increase usage of biodiesel in the country by up to 5%. He said this will increase the demand for copra thus increasing its price.

Dela Rosa also offered long-term strategy to boost the coconut industry here. Under the PCA’s program in improving coconut productivity, hybrid seedlings will be given to farmers. He said this variety produces more than the national average harvested nuts which is at 45 to 47 pieces every tree.

To provide more fertilizer to farmers, he revealed that the PCA has increased its proposed budget for fertilizer in the senate. Moreover, he underscored the importance of adequate supply of water for an abundant harvest.

While Davao Oriental is the leading coconut producer in the whole of Mindanao, there is no manufacturing plant here that will directly buy coconuts from farmers and manufacture innovative coconut products.