Ormoc coconut farms rehab in full blast

ORMOC CITY, Southern Leyte – More than one year and a half after super typhoon Yolanda hit this city, government assistance for Yolanda-devastated coconut farms contnues. One such program is the nursery established by Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Macabug, seven kilometers from downtown, under the Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Program.

Jaime Nuñez, PCA OIC for Northwestern Leyte recalls that Yolanda wiped out 98,000 coconut trees from 985 hectares in Ormoc. Even without a nursery, PCA supplied planting materials to 100 hectares last year, using planting materials from Visayas State University in Baybay City south of Ormoc.

The establishment of a local nursery this year assures farmers of highyielding coconut seedlings that are free from pests and diseases. Right now, the nursery is propagating 94,000 seed nuts from Ubay, Bohol. The nuts are of the Tacunan and Catigan dwarf varieties that grow at an average height of 10 feet.

It will start bearing in three and a half years and can produce a maximum of 20 coconuts at a time. Being sun-loving varieties, the Tacunan and Catigan are planted in open areas away from tall trees for maximum results. The materials will be distributed as seedlings ready for planting in October.

Recipients are members of Ormoc Coconut Farmers Association from 18 barangays. The 94,000 seed nuts under propagation will cover 75 hectares, with each hectare receiving 500 seeds. The PCA targets to replant 174 hectares by next year and completely restore all the coconut plantations here in the next five to seven years.