There are 2,168 coconut farmers in Negros Occidental who have availed of the Philippine Coconut Authority's salt fertilization project, a Philippine Information Agency press release said yesterday.

Neg. Occ. PCA Chief Rodrigo Gamarcha Jr. said the program intends to increase yield of coconut trees by 25 percent by applying 2 kilos of salt per tree in one year, for the period of three years.

Salt is the cheapest coconut fertilizer and is very easy to apply, he said. It results in thicker meat, increased number of nuts, makes them drought resistant and the tree also resistant to pests and diseases, he added.

The overall effect, according to the program, is increase in copra production by 20-25 percent during the first year and 50-100 percent in the second year, the press release said.

The distribution of more than 17,000 bags of salt LGUs in the province is expected to be completed this month.

Recipients in District 1 were Calatrava 1,006 bags, San Carlos 400, Toboso 502, Escalante 502 and Sagay 1,281 bags.

In District 2- Cadiz City received 556 and Manapla 163 bags; District 3 - EB Magalona 288; District 4 - Pulupandan 430; District 5 - Binalbagan 570 and Himamaylan 430; District 6 - Kabankalan 176, Ilog 1,000, Cauayan 1,824, Sipalay 3,482, Hinobaan 4,420 and Lone District of Bacolod 50 bags.

With an average yield of 42 nuts per year for every tree, Negros Occidental produces about 159M nuts annually consumed locally and with a market in Cebu City, the press release said.*

back to top