Marcos to PCA: Invest in technology to ensure resilience of coconut industry

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday directed the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to invest in new technologies to guarantee the resilience of the coconut industry.

"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," Marcos said.

The President led the national coconut tree-planting ceremony during the PCA's 50th founding anniversary at the Coconut Palace.

"So, let us double our efforts to tackle these issues and invest in technologies and initiatives that will not only safeguard but also ensure the resilience of the coconut sector of our agriculture,” he said.

Marcos stressed the need for the Philippines to continue developing and improving coconut byproducts “so that we can find new uses and expand its distribution to new markets.”

He said the agency should also recognize the challenges that lie ahead of the coconut industry, such as climate change, pests, and diseases as these remain a significant threat to coconut trees.

According to PCA administrator Bernie Cruz, the agency is hoping that under the Marcos administration, the productivity of coconut would increase.

The PCA is the sole government agency tasked to develop the coconut industry to its full potential in line with the new vision of a united, globally competitive, and efficient coconut industry.

The Presidential Communications Office said 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, the PCO said, is the top coconut producer in the country, with 487.10 thousand MT or a 15.0% share of the total coconut production in the first quarter of 2023. —KBK, GMA Integrated News