RP’s ‘SynVar’ is world’s first synthetic coconut

It’s now popularly called "SynVar".

It stands for synthetic variety, considered the world’s first synthetic coconut variety whose development was pioneered by Gerardo Santos, department manager III of the Philippine Coconut Authority-Zambonga Research Center (PCA-ZRC) based in Zamboanga City.

Over the years, Santos has spearheaded the development of improved open pollinated varieties (OPVs) of coconut through the synthetic variety approach (natural way of producing elite coconut planting materials).

SynVar, also known as Genetically Multi-Ancestered Composite Farmers’ Variety Hybird (GMAFV), was launched on March 26, 2001. Its average yield potential is three to four tons per hectare (the national average is 2.3 t/ha).

To date, more than 200,000 seednuts of the farmers’ variety hybrids have been distributed for the establishment of seedfarms. The 50-ha seedfarms targeted for establishment in each of the 70 coconut-producing provinces using the GMA FV hybrids, when fully set up, will serve as local sources of seednuts for farmers’ planting/replanting activities.

For his significant accomplishments in coconut research, notably SynVar, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) cenferred on Santos the prestigious "pantas" (Sage) award in 2003).

PCARRD, headed by Executive Director Patricio S. Paylon, pointed out that under his effective leadership, PCA-ZRC has gained world recognition as the largest repository of coconut germplasm, particularly indigenous materials.

Santos’ citation states: "Based on more than 25 years of painstaking research, these recommended hybrids are characterized by early flowering, high yield, resistant to major coconut disease, and adaptable to adverse environmental conditions." – Rudy A Fernandez