PCA Targets 55K Coconut Palms for Fertilization to Increase Yield

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will spend about Php1.5 billion to fertilize some 55,000 coconut palms in 2025 through the Coconut Fertilization Project for increased yield and income for coconut farmers, reports the Philippine News Agency on December 12.  
PCA Administrator Dr. Dexter Buted, at the second Salt Congress in Lingayen, Pangasinan province last week, said the project involves the rehabilitation of low bearing mature palms with relatively high chances of increased commercial value of production through the application of agricultural grade salt fertilizer (AGSF), production of compost as soil conditioner using composting facility for biodegradable wastes (CFBW), and provision of incentives for the compost produce.  He said a total of 2.12 million 50-kilo bags of AGSF and 375,000 50-kilo bags of organic fertilizer will be needed.
The provincial government of Pangasinan will supply the PCA with 4,180 bags of locally produced AGSF from the Pangasinan Salt Center, while the local government of Dasol and the Dasol Salt Makers Association (DSMA) will also supply 5,000 bags of AGSF.  Buted said an increase in coconut yields by 25 percent or more is expected within the next five years and an increase in farmer income by 10 percent is projected which should improve their livelihoods.