Coco farming gains ground in Antique

San Jose, Antique (18 August) — For a province that considers agriculture as its major industry, coconut farming is a big boost in sustaining Antiqueño families income.

Of the total 252,200 hectares land area of the province, 21,481.61 hectares are planted with coconuts while 48,334 farmers are engaged in coconut farming.

Merlyn Teodoro, Manager Philippine Coconut Authority – Antique in an interview said coconut farming has become a lucrative business because of high prices of copra and other coconut by products are in demand in the market.

PCA data shows that in copra alone being the major product of coconut, Antique has an average yield of 14,906 metric tons per year at an average price of P 15.00 per kilo.

Other coconut by products said the source, includes shingles for roofing and cocolumber (for non-bearing senile coconuts) which is also in demand for construction.

Food products such as nata de coco, coconut candies, jam, bread, buko juice, pie and pastries and other local delicacies are also making money. More local entrepreneurs are engaged in coco-based food products because of its promising market demands.

Some community/people’s organizations also ventured in coco-based handicraft, personal and home accessories, gift items and even kitchen utensils. All these small scale business endeavors have brought in additional income for the family, said Teodoro.

This is apart from already established multi-national demands for coco products used in beauty care, cosmetics, alternative medicine, biofuel among others.

On the production aspect, the island municipality of Caluya has the largest area of coco farm in the province with an area of 8,138.08 hectares planted with 813,808 coconuts. Among the top 5 coconut producing towns in Antique are Pandan, Libertad, Hamtic and Sibalom.

Teodoro noted that the Participatory Coconut Planting Program (PCPP) of PCA has also help coco farmers in planting and growing of coconuts because it does not only ensure survival but also provide financial support for their families.

PCA Antique also promotes maximum use of coco farms like intercropping of fruit trees, bananas, vegetables and other plants suitable to be planted in between coconuts.

To ensure that coconuts are protected with indiscriminate cutting for lumber, PCA is strictly implementing its regulatory functions on cutting and selling of coco cumber.

On the otherhand, local government officials according to Teodoro are warned of the possible infestation of brontispa or coconut leaf beetle which has caused damaged to numerous coconut plantations nationwide. The towns in northern part of the province is particularly cautioned since there are cases that has been reported last year.

Teodoro in conclusion call on local government units to support the coconut industry in their locality to ensure sustainable and optimum use of coconuts as a valuable resource also known as “tree of life”. (PIA/psm)