Coconut sector leaders seek better funding, market access

MANILA, Philippines — Coconut industry heads are calling for better government funding to improve competitiveness in the industry and ensure compliance with increasingly strict global standards.

The National Sectoral Committee on Coconut (NSCC) had requested the government to grant the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) full access to the special account for trade and market expansion within the coconut levy fund.

The NSCC said providing full access to the fund would ensure that the country’s coconuts remain competitive.

The panel also moved to strengthen the industry’s ability to meet international regulations and boost market promotion.

Republic Act 11524, or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act,  mandates the creation of a long-term trust fund to rehabilitate and support the modernization effort of the country’s coconut industry.

The specialized fund also allows the PCA to focus specifically on trade promotion and market expansion as part of a broader industry development strategy.

The committee also raised issues with the P153-million salt fertilization program, noting that funding only covers a limited number of coconut trees.

The program aims to provide agricultural-grade salt to local coconut farmers to boost their yields and improve copra thickness.

This comes following the second-quarter meeting of the NSCC on May 28.

During the meeting the Agricultural Training Institute and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization laid out plans to strengthen technical support, training programs and infrastructure for coconut farmers and cooperatives.

The committee also supported the PCA’s plan to raise the mandated tree planting age to 18 years from 12 years to ensure it is more practical and age-appropriate.

“By addressing both financial resources and legislative frameworks, the NSCC aims to secure the ‘Tree of Life’ for future generations while ensuring the country’s reforestation goals remain practical and age-appropriate,” the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries said.