Gandara (Samar) farmers to plant 2000 dwarf coconuts

By PIA-Samar
February 19, 2013

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar – Gandara farmers who joined the Samar Peace and Development Caravan organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser (OPAPP)and the LGU of Samar received 2,000 dwarf coconuts.

Philippine Coconut Development Authority (PCA-Samar) Chief Meinard Montano sought the help of the army in transporting the seednuts to the barangay.

Dwarf coconuts said Montano may not grow as tall as the native coconuts but its fruits are as productive as the native coconuts.

“They also mature early that they can bear fruits as early as 5 or seven years, unlike the other species that bear fruits at ten years old,” explained Montano.

Some 26 coconut farmers scampered for listing as they thought it exciting and something different to try growing dwarf coconuts.

Jose Alejan, 58, a farmer from Barangay Sto. Niño said he asked for 200 pieces to be planted in his farm, he added he will grow these intercropped with his jackfruits.

Farmers from the four barangays of Natimonan, Sto. Niño, Pizarro and Heparayan quickly claimed all 2,000 coconut seedlings in a jiffy.

“Let us plant coconuts in the bald hills,” Montano urged the gathered folks from the four barangays. As Gandara has wide fields planted with palay, the hills that seem to demarcate them are bereft of vegetation.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also brought mahogany seedlings to be planted in the idle hill lots that surround the ricefields.