If the rice farmers are hurting grievously from the 30% drop in the farm gate price of palay as a consequence of rice tariffication, the coconut farmers, who are poorer than the rice farmers in the first place, are even worse off. The price of coconut has dropped 40% since last year.
If the rice farmers are hurting grievously from the 30% drop in the farm gate price of palay as a consequence of rice tariffication, the coconut farmers, who are poorer than the rice farmers in the first place, are even worse off. The price of coconut has dropped 40% since last year.
The coconut farmers need help NOW. Not within 25 years as proposed in the Coconut Levy Fund (CLF) bill which was vetoed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Short of direct cash payments to coconut farmers, the option with the greater and more lasting impact is farm subsidy for fertilizers and intercropping.
The benefits from fertilization of the existing crops under the coconuts can be felt within six months. The replanting of senile, unproductive coconut palms and planting of tree intercrops like coffee, cacao, black pepper, pineapple, and various fruit crops will take longer but will be lasting.
See full article at Manila Bulletin
