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Since Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) was announced to be beneficial in preventing probable and suspected Covid-19 cases from worsening, the continuous supply of quality coconuts is being prepared by planting hybrid coconuts.
“With all the recent rumors about the efficacy of VCO in decreasing symptoms of Covid-19 patients, demand for coconut-based products is expected to increase,” said science secretary Fortunato T. de la Pena on his Facebook page.
De la Peña said in a recent DOST Reports webinar that he, along with national scientist Dr. Emil Q. Javier, Deputy R&D Administrator Erlene C. Manohar of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora of The Philippine Council for Agricultural, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – conducted a ceremonial planting of hybrid coconuts in Sampaloc, Quezon, Recently.
“I am pleased to be part of the ceremonial coconut planting for the PCA Coconut Hybridization Project in Brgy. Caldong, Sampaloc, Quezon Province, November 30 [Bonifacio Day],” he said.
The event was held as part of the field visit of a coconut hybridization project on the farm, entitled “Performance evaluation of the double-ended coconut hybridization scheme in Calabarzon”, under the leadership of Manohar. It is funded by DOST-PCAARRD.
The project is aimed at guaranteeing the production and ensuring the sustainability of quality hybrids for the production of selected high-value products, including VCO, coconut sugar and buko (young coconut), de la Peña said during the webinar.
DOST shares the PCA’s goal of supporting the coconut industry through modernization, he added.
Using innovative propagation methods and active research on coconut-based products, de la Peña expressed optimism about the future of the versatile coconut.
“Dr. Javier, my former boss at DOST, is a plant geneticist and agronomist. He is a strong advocate for the modernization of the Philippine coconut industry. For him, modernization is the key to making the industry more productive, globally competitive, but also environmentally sustainable, ”de la Peña said on his social media page.
The project is one of the pioneers in the production of quality planting materials and in improving coconut productivity from 45 to 150 nuts per tree each year under the Coconut Industry Strategic Program.
It is part of the PCA’s Accelerated Coconut Planting and Replanting Program.
The program aims to provide quality planting materials to increase the capacity of PCA’s seed production centers to address the target 10 million hybrids by 2022.
Another important aspect of the project is the expected result of having extension agents and farmers who are experts in hybridization technology.
Currently there are 10 farmers and six pollinators / emasculators trained for the establishment of Hybridization Schemes and Good Agricultural Practices (coconut fertilization, pest management and farm maintenance-weeding are being applied), he said.
Currently in its third year of implementation, the project has already been able to produce and distribute approximately 3,000 hybrids of Tacunan Dwarf and Laguna Tall hybrids in the towns of Catanauan, Gumaca, General Luna and Candelaria in Quezon province, among many others.
The hybrid walnuts produced were found to be significantly robust, have a thicker circumference and good vegetative growth, de la Peña said.
“The project is expected to generate approximately 76,000 hybrid walnuts each year after five years. They will be distributed in various coconut plantation areas in Calabarzon ”, added de la Peña.
At the same time, the same hybridization configuration is expected to be repeated in all regions of the country to fully achieve the goal of replacing all old and senile coconut stands in the country, according to De la Peña.
Known as “the tree of life,” the coconut remains one of the most important crops in the Philippines, he said.
The Chief Scientist added: “With the right amount of support from the national government and the public, we can unlock the hidden potentials of the coconut industry that can drive the country’s agricultural and economic growth.”
