The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), through the UP System, is now set to forge a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under usufruct with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for the establishment of the UPV-PCA Hybrid Coconut Seed Farm in UPV Miagao campus.
The project is composed of the development of 17.76 hectares of agricultural land into a hybrid coconut seed farm, nursery, coconut plantation, hybridization and production of coconut seedlings in support of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Action (RA 11254) for 25 years. This program aims to ensure a sufficient supply of quality planting materials of around Php 112M in the next 10 years for the replacement of unproductive and senile palms. The project aims to contribute to the continuing expansion of coconut plantations to maintain the country’s position as a major producer and exporter of coconut products in the world market.
The project is deemed to bring socio-economic development to the Municipality of Miagao by providing sources of livelihood and employment to its people, especially those in the area where the project is situated. The joint project will open opportunities for research, development, innovation, and entrepreneurship to advance and sustain the coconut industry in the country.
This project has been a long-time aspiration of UP Visayas since its initial talks with PCA-6 in 2007 under the term of former Chancellor Glenn Aguilar. The project proposal was revived in 2019 in anticipation of the abovementioned hybridization program approved through E.O. 172 in 2022. The project is lodged with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, represented by VCPD Rhodella A. Ibabao.
As part of the five-point agenda of Chancellor Clement C. Camposano, this joint effort will help UP Visayas realize its aims to continuously deepen its engagement with the communities by constantly creating opportunities for interaction with various sectors for academic excellence, research, and public service. The coconut seed farm establishment will expedite the dissemination of the hybrid seed nuts materials for the coconut planting and replanting program of PCA in Western Visayas. This project further aims to contribute to the advancement and development of the country’s coconut industry by serving as a cooperating agency in the conduct of R&D on coconut primarily on coconut value-added products and industrial uses such as biodiesel and coco coir, among others.
