IN a bid to boost output and diversify income, coconut growers in the town of San Luis, Aurora province, are set to benefit from a new initiative pushing cacao-coconut intercropping.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has distributed 15,000 cacao seedlings to the Ditumabo Coconut and Livestock Farmers Association under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
This innovative farming approach involves planting cacao trees beneath coconut plantations, leveraging the shaded conditions to support crop growth and improve land-use efficiency.
By doing so, farmers can reduce production risks associated with unstable market prices, pests and extreme weather while gaining an additional source of income.
PCA Aurora Provincial head Aldrin Veneracion said the initiative aims to maximize idle land spaces under coconut trees, helping farmers reduce dependence on fluctuating copra prices.
He said the agency will provide technical guidance, field assistance and training to support the adoption of cacao intercropping, covering aspects such as farm layout planning, planting techniques and market preparation.
The CFIDP is a government program supporting coconut farmers through crop diversification, provision of post-harvest systems, value-adding, among others.
The program follows a structured screening process to determine which farmers and organizations can participate in the intercropping initiative, ensuring the system’s effectiveness and sustainability.
Veneracion said the success of this initiative could pave the way for its expansion to other coconut-producing communities in Aurora, promoting sustainable farming practices and building more resilient agricultural systems.
The PCA said intercropping diversifies income streams, reducing dependence on a single crop; maximizes idle land spaces beneath coconut trees; reduces production risks associated with market fluctuations and extreme weather; and promotes environmentally friendly practices that also improve soil health.
Veneracion added that the CFIDP has supported other initiatives, such as establishing community-based nurseries and providing certified planting materials.