Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to intensify industry modernization and to invest in new technologies ensuring resilience in coconut sector
Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. instructed the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to intensify the implementation of the development plan for industry modernization and to invest in new technologies to ensure the resilience of the coconut sector.
Speaking during the 50th anniversary celebration of the PCA, the President said “So, the PCA must intensify the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan to accelerate the modernization of the coconut industry and to improve the lives of our coconut farmers and their families.”
The President also encouraged the agency to continue uplifting the lives of the coconut farmers, empower them to improve their conditions, and free them from poverty so they could dream big for themselves and for their loved ones.
He recommended PCA to recognize the challenges that lie ahead of the coconut industry—climate change, pests, and diseases remain a significant threat to coconut trees, thus endangering the future of agriculture. He insisted on doubling efforts to tackle these issues and investing in technologies and initiatives that will not only safeguard but also ensure the resilience of the coconut sector of our agriculture.
Coconut production in the country increased by 1.6% from 3.20 million metric tons (MMT) in the first quarter of 2022 to 3.26 MMT in the first quarter of 2023. Davao Region is the top coconut producer in the country, with 487.10 thousand MT or a 15% share of the total coconut production in the first quarter of 2023. Other top-producing regions were Zamboanga Peninsula with 14.9% share and Northern Mindanao with 13.6% share. The Philippines is a major exporter of coconut oil and other products such as copra meal and desiccated coconut, whose exports declined in the first four months of 2023. Official reports indicate that coconut exports declined by more than half from $1.04 billion in January to April 2022 to $490.16 million in the same period in 2023.
