High variety seednuts are ready for replanting in Oriental Negros under the "Plant Now, Pay Later Plan" program of the Philippine Coconut Authority.

About 15,000 seednuts were delivered to the province last week from the Zamboanga Research Center and will be distributed to coco farmers who wish to avail of the provincial coconut replanting program.

Brendan Trasmonte, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Coconut Authority, said PCA personnel are presently validating areas for the replanting of the different varieties.

They include the tall variety with an expected production of 3.8 tons per hectare per year; Katigan variety which is open-polienated; equatorial green dwarf variety that can also be used for tuba gathering; and the Malaysian red dwarf Macapuno variety.

The massive replanting program is in anticipation with the emergence of high-value coconut products, including the high demand for virgin coconut oil aside from the traditional copra product.

In liue of this development, Gov. Georeg Arnaiz issued Executive Order 02-2006 creating the Provincial Coconut Development and Management Committee.

The committee is tasked to set guidelines and policies with regard to the replanting program. The provincial government and the PCA are also anticipating a plan of Philippine National Oil Corporation engineers to put up a biodiesel plant.*JG

back to top