THE Davao Region Coconut Industry Cluster, Inc. (DCRCICI) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) urged farmers to apply intercropping of cacao and coffee to coconut trees as an alternative way to generate more income for the farmers.
“Ang purpose aning summit karon is to promote intercropping. Ang intercropping karon is maayo ang income sa farm kung naay intercropping sa cacao ug kape (The purpose of this summit is to promote intercropping. Intercropping is good for the income of farms if there is intercropping of cacao and coffee),” DRCICI chair Reynaldo Go told reporters during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex on Monday.
Coconut intercropping involves the planting of high value crops such as cocoa and coffee in available spaces under coconut trees.
Growing of intercrops in coconut lands, according to PCA, produces more food and agricultural products, ensuring food security of the people in rural and urban areas.”
“In terms of productivity ang Davao Region parin ang number one coconut-producing province but in terms of number of coconut, it would be Quezon (In terms of productivity, Davao Region is still the number one coconut-producing province),” PCA representative Rosella Villaruel said.
However, Emmanuel Piñol, incoming agriculture secreatry said there is low coconut productivity in other provinces particularly in Lanao del Sur.
“Daghan ang rason nganong low ang atong productivity. Una, ang culture sa coconut farmers. Kung coconut gamay lang ang mag-abuno on their own. Nagahulat sila ug ayuda gikan sa gobyerno (There are so many reasons why we have a low productivity. First, the culture of coconut farmers. They don’t use fertilizer as they wait for the aid of the government),” Villaruel explained.
She also said that if the farmers would change their attitude towards coconut farming into a more responsible one, it is possible that there will be an increase on the yield.
If followed, Villaruel said the income from this would benefit the small-scale farmers.
“Ang pag-shift gikan sa copra ngadto sa uban pang produkto posibleng makahatag ug dugang income. Example, ang bunot (The shift from copra to other products could generate more income for farmers), “ Villaruel said. (ASP with Lyka Amethyst Casamayor, MSU-intern )