The recently held event, "Technology to People, Coco-usapan: Hybrids Tungo sa Masaganang Niyugan," took place at the Hive Hotel Convention Center in Quezon City on June 9. The program aimed to showcase the efforts and achievements of the Coconut Hybridization Program, a key initiative of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development .
The success of the Coconut Hybridization Program has led to DOST-PCARRD's inclusion as one of the agencies responsible for overseeing the advancement of coconut hybridization research and the establishment of seed farms and nurseries nationwide, as mandated by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Trust Fund Act .
Furthermore, the DOST-PCAARD initiative aims to develop and enhance the utilization of coconut value-added products. This involves various efforts such as designing and fabricating machines for solar drying coconut meat, ethanol stills, tree climbing harvesting devices, and mechanical dehuskers. These technological advancements improve processing efficiency and ensure the production of high-quality coconut products.
Rivera emphasized the promising potential of hybrid coconuts, sharing that they typically begin flowering within 3 to 4.5 years and can be harvested for fruit around 4 to 5 years. These medium to large-sized nuts yield copra ranging from 237 to 310 grams per nut and 4 to 6 tons per hectare. Remarkably, a single hectare of hybrid coconut trees can bear an impressive 15,000 to 22,000 fruits, and the hybrids often possess a higher content of Medium Chain Fatty Acids, adding to their value.
Addressing the shortage of nurseries and production of hybrid planting materials, the PCA is actively seeking committed coconut farmers to serve as sites for hybrid material production. The agency aims to supply the needs of each region and establish hybrid model farms that showcase the profitability of coconut hybrids.
Despite the exceptional characteristics of hybrid coconuts, they currently account for a mere 5% of the total planted hybrid coconut trees. This low percentage is due to the requirement of mother plants to produce a single-cross hybrid. At present, only the PCA manages dwarf varieties, emphasizing the pressing need for more nurseries and farms dedicated to producing hybrid planting materials.During the panel discussion, Dr. Juanito B.