Farmers from this province will plant 254,000 coconut seedlings this year to support the massive planting program of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
PCA Division Chief I for Antique and Aklan Gregory Teñoso III said they are now in the process of distributing 127,000 seedlings to farmers in the island municipality of Caluya. An additional 127,000 will be released to coconut farmers in the mainland next month.
“We encourage farmers to go into massive coconut planting and help achieve the 100 million goal,” Teñoso said in an interview on Monday.
Teñoso said that the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan aims to plant 100 million seedlings by 2028.
Last year, 101,000 coconut seedlings were planted in the province.
Meanwhile, Coconut Production Regulatory Officer Mikee Servano recognized coconut farmers as “silent heroes” during the kickoff ceremony of the National Coconut Week celebration in the province on Monday.
“Coconut farmers stand tall, proud and resilient,” she said.
An exhibit showcasing various coconut products and by-products from fresh to processed also officially opened at the CityMall in San Jose de Buenavista that will run until Aug. 16. (PNA)
