Thursday, June 14, 2007
NorMin's coco production down two percent
* However, young coconuts up two percent in 2006
*Decline of coco products is due to lack of matured nuts
Total copra production of 363,942 metric tons was noted in Northern Mindanao in 2006, down by two percent compared to 371,958 M.T. in 2005.
"The decline in copra production could be because of the decline in the number of matured nuts produced due to the cutting of trees in the past years," said Regional Manager Luis G. Cruz of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Northern Mindanao.
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While there was sufficient rainfall, which is favorable for coconut production, the cutting of coconut trees for years 2005 and 2006 of about 45,525 and 42,988 trees, respectively, resulted in a loss of about 4.6 million nuts, he said.
Particularly for Misamis Occidental, the cutting of 3,902 trees resulted in the loss of about 77,300 nuts while the cutting of 2,541 trees in Misamis Oriental resulted in the loss of 63,525 nuts.
Meanwhile, Cruz said the region produced only 1,513,819,406 matured nuts, last year, which is 1% less compared to 1,528,249,129 in 2005.
Also, in 2006, the average conversion factor was placed at 4.11 nuts per kilogram of copra, slightly higher than the 4.07 nuts required per kilogram during the previous year.
So far, only two of the region's five provinces posted positive performances in copra production: Bukidnon, from 8,711 M.T. to 9,987 M.T., an actual increase of 1,265 M.T. or 15 percent and Lanao del Norte, from 119,039 M.T. to 122,278 M.T., an increase of 3,239 M.T. or three percent.
Copra production in the other provinces of the region posted declines: Camiguin, from 23,799 M.T. to 21,672 M.T., a difference of 2,127 M.T., Misamis Occidental, from 116,528 M.T. to 111,099 M.T., a difference of 5,429 M.T., and Misamis Oriental, from 103,870 M.T. to 98,906 M.T., a difference of 4,964 M.T.
But while copra production in the region went down, the production of green or young coconuts went up, from 2,424,85 in 2005 to 2,464,274 in 2006, an increase of 40,189 nuts or two percent.
Production of young coconuts in Camiguin increased from 244,820 to 281,903 or 37,083 nuts more, and Misamis Oriental, from 1,338,209 to 1,423,144 or 84,935 nuts more.
Those of the other provinces, however, posted declines: Lanao del Norte, from 212,988 to 162,928 nuts, a difference of 50,060 nuts or 24 percent, Misamis Occidental, from 115,459 to 98,760 nuts, a difference of 16,699 nuts or 14 percent and Bukidnon, from 512,609 to 497,539 nuts, a difference of 15,070 nuts or three percent.
Particularly for the fourth quarter of last year, production of young coconuts increased from 654,376 to 858,654 nuts, a significant increase of 204,278 nuts or 31 percent. This could be due to its high demand as ingredient for fresh fruit salads during the yuletide season that extends from Christmas to the incoming year.
Posting the highest increase in young coconut production for the quarter was Lanao del Norte, from 3,682 to 73,446 nuts, or 42,764 nuts more, Misamis Oriental, from 398,162 to 574,881 or 176,719 nuts more, Camiguin, from 52,664 to 72,594 nuts, or 19,930 nuts more and Bukidnon, from 13,812 to 134,149 nuts or 3,337 nuts more.
Only the province of Misamis Occidental posted decline in young coconut production, from 42,056 to 3,584 nuts, a difference of 38,472 nuts or a negative 91 percent. (Trends)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (June 14, 2007 issue)
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