LINGAYEN—“We have to fast track coconut industry development in the province.”

Thus said Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region 1 Manager Domingo Frugal representing PCA Administrator Atty. Euclides Forbes during the provincial board inquiry on the status and development of the coconut industry in Pangasinan during their regular session last October 14.

Frugal noted that the budget proposal on coconut industry development for the province for 2014 is P8 million, more than double the P3 million budget this year.

According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, there are 40,000 hectares that can potentially be used for coconut.

Currently, there are 1.1 million coconut trees planted in an 11,200-hectare area. Of this, 56 percent or about 600,000 are bearing fruits while the rest are considered non-bearing.

Frugal said that even if only two-thirds of that area is developed would be sufficiency to meet the country’s coconut oil requirements.

He urged the local government units (LGUs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs) to help them meet the projections.

“We encourage the LGUs and SUCs to help us by planting seedlings and we will pay them,” he said noting that despite the availability of land for coconut farms, many are reluctant to get into the industry.

He pointed out that Pangasinan has the highest farm gate price at P25 pesos per coco fruit compared to other provinces.

Provincial Coconut Development Manager Eleazar Parohinog said those interested in coconut planting can visit their office for further assistance.

So far, there are 9,111 coconut farmers in the province, he said.

Coconut is currently the top commodity being exported by the country.

In 2011, the country exported a total of 1.505 million metric tons and consumed 0.740 metric tons from the production in 3.562 million hectares of the 68 out of 79 coconut-producing provinces.—Reports from PIO, Johanne R. Macob

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