The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) here is looking to contribute more to the Marcos administration’s food security program by enhancing the local coconut industry’s productivity and encouraging micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in food production.

Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Rodrigo Bautista Jr. said a coconut seed farm project will soon take off to increase local production and provide additional income to farmers.

The project will utilize a vacant 10-hectare lot owned by the provincial government in Barangay Imelda, San Juan.

“We estimate that some 4,700 dwarf coconut seedlings can be planted in this area. Dwarf coconut is more productive as it only takes 3 to 5 years to bear fruit,” he said in an interview on Friday.

The project’s technical working group is currently in technical discussions with representatives of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

A ceremonial planting of coco seedlings at the project site will be held sometime in July or August this year, Bautista said.

Bautista said OPAg also remains a dedicated partner of the Department of Agriculture’s Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani (Kadiwa) activities.

He said his office is holding a similar project twice a month to make safe, healthy and fresh goods more affordable and accessible.

Various products, such as rice, meat, fruit, fish and bread, ornamental plants and ready-to-eat items are available in the community food market.

He said associations of Batangueño farmers and fisherfolk, cooperatives, and MSMEs from different towns have committed to be their Kadiwa partners.

The Kadiwa held at the provincial capitol compound on Thursday coincided with the Provincial Roadshow of the Calabarzon Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 led by the National Economic and Development Authority.

The Interior and the Local Government, Agriculture, Social Welfare and Development, Trade and Industry and Labor and Employment departments also joined the activities. (PNA)