SLT 1244
December 23-29, 2023
SOUTHERN LEYTE – Coconut is the main product and industry in Southern Leyte, as coconut trees dominate the topography of the province.
Coconut was given due importance in the December 20, 2023 Livelihood Training schedule of Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an eleven-day training series. Farmers and small business owners were informed that all parts of the coconut can be utilized for varied uses and industries. Jun Locop of MUFDA Farm in Mercedes, Silago, Southern Leyte talked about the business opportunities of coconut sugar production. Other spin-off products were discussed especially the sustainability and viability of coco cola. Another coconut product promoted was discussed in the Business Opportunities in Coco Peat Soil Conditioner.
However, judging on the minimal attendance, it was observed that not many people are sincerely interested in coconut development.
Meanwhile, Liloan and Bontoc towns in this province are places where big nurseries were identified by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to be placed.
PCA is set to plant 44,200 high-quality seed nuts in the next few months under its hybridization program, which is included in the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
PCA Eastern Visayas Regional Manager Joel Pilapil said that nurseries have been established in eight sites of the region to make seedlings available in all six provinces.
“These nurseries are specifically designed to ensure the distribution of high-quality coconut seedlings to coconut farmer-beneficiaries under the CFIDP. This is to enhance the productivity of coconuts by providing farmers with access to superior-quality seedlings,” Pilapil said.
The sites of other big nurseries are in Bobon, Northern Samar; Salcedo, Eastern Samar; Sta. Fe, Leyte; and Calbayog City in Samar – where each site can house about 7,000 seed nuts. Other locations are in Kananga, Leyte and Naval, Biliran, with about 3,000 seed nuts each.
“The program specifically focuses on coconut hybridization, which involves the development and promotion of hybrid coconut varieties. This program aims to enhance the productivity and resilience of coconut trees, leading to improved yields and quality of coconut products,” Pilapil added.
Eastern Visayas is the sixth largest coconut producing region in the country with an output of 260,114 metric tons of coconut, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. (gmr, PCA)
