Government moves to curb falling copra prices

CEBU, Philippines —  Coconut farmers in the province of Bohol are struggling to make a profit owing to the “very low” prices of copra.

To help the farmers, the provincial government and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Central Visayas are now exploring ways on how to increase their income.

“Due to the very low copra price, the coconut farmers no longer make any profit,” DOST-7 Regional Director Jesus Zamora Jr. said in the virtual Mugstoria Ta talk show hosted by Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales and aired on the Facebook page of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV).

Zamora said the government is keen on developing the coconut industry in the province.

“We should start with the basics. We should be self-sufficient. If another pandemic would hit us, I think we can produce our own products like soap, oil, vinegar, and other products that can be developed from coconut,” he said.

Aside from these products, the virgin coconut oil (VCO) is among those under study as possible treatment for COVID-19.

Zamora said they are looking for lead researchers to help them develop new products from coconut.

The proposed coconut development of Bohol is part of the implementation of the DOST-UP Planning and Development Research Foundation Inc. (PLANADES) Settlement Model Training Module, which will initially be given to 20 identified growth areas, according to OPAV.

PLANADES had identified five growth areas in the Visayas —Cebu, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Leyte, and Negros Oriental. The model targets local government planners to help them project growth in their area.

But instead of Negros Oriental, Zamora said, DOST-7 has shifted to Bohol for the implementation of the PLANADES settlement model.

However, instead of Negros Oriental, Zamora said DOST-7 has shifted to Bohol for the implementation of the PLANADES settlement model.

Bohol has 104,000 hectares of planted coconut.

But with the re-planting program, the province continues to increase areas planted with coconut.

Bohol has two coconut nurseries, namely: The Central Visayas Coconut Seed Production Center in Calanggaman, Ubay, and The Loay Code Farmer in La Salinas, Loay.

These nurseries produce the hybrid and dwarf varieties of coconut seedlings, which are ready to be planted in the re-planting program. The program includes the participatory coconut planting, coconut seedling dispersal, and accelerated coconut planting and rehabilitation programs.

The two nurseries are not only supplying the needed coconut seedlings in Central Visayas but also in Tacloban and Leyte areas or in Eastern Visayas. — KQD (FREEMAN)