Coconut Is A Lazy Man’s Crop – Time To Wake Up The Farmer!

August is PH “National Coconut Month” – looking at/for the national good of coconut farmers and their families, have we been/are we being holistic?

(image of “The Philippines’ Money-Making Tree[1]” from Fareasternagriculture.com)
(image of “Grass is always greener[2]” from Pinterest)

Let’s see! On Monday, 03 August 2021, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) kicked off this year’s celebration; the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) likewise mentioned it. Now, how do you celebrate when you are confused as to the duration of the observance: Is it “National Coconut Week[3]” (according to the PCA itself), or “National Coconut Month[4]” (according to the ATI)? In fact, in another announcement, the PCA says it’s “Month[5]!”

As I rewrite this, 1611 Friday, the conflicting website entries by the PCA itself are still there. I hope that this is a minor lapse in reportage; I am sorrier to see that the PCA has not brought the coconut farmers from rags to riches, or at least to noticeably richer lives.

Madelaine B Miraflorsays, “Coconut Farmers Are Poorest Agri People[6]” (26 October 2020, Manila Bulletin), and I believe that assessment. From what I know as an agriculturist and a wide reader:

What coconut farmers don’t practice, to their downright disadvantage, is farming systems. Now: If the student has not learned, the teacher has not taught!

In 1985, I edited the book Focus On The Small Farmer[7] published by the Farming Systems & Soil Resources Institute (FSSRI) of UP Los Baños (138 pages) when Elpidio L Rosario was FSSRI Director. It was the proceedings of a seminar-workshop on coconut-based farming systems held in Cebu. I said in my Editor's Introduction:

(During the workshop), it was pointed out that, ultimately, it is the famer's choice that prevails when it comes to crops. However, that should not negate the duty of the researcher-developer-extensionist to provide the farmer adequate and comprehensive information on which to base a farm decision.

I like what Mr Rosario told those attending the farming systems workshop:

As we deliberate in this particular workshop, let's not forget that in practice … the perspective is the FS (farming systems) approach. What I'm trying to say is that let's not get carried away by the technologies we discuss. It is not enough that we share what are the these special technology packages; equally important is that we put emphasis to the FS perspective as to how these technologies are developed and eventually utilized.

You have to be holistic.

Look at the two images again; why is it that we do not see that “the grass is always greener underneath a coconut tree”? We fail to perceive the rich opportunities under the trees – such as growing banana, coffee, cacao, ginger, passion fruit, pineapple, and a variety of vegetables.

If you are in Metro Manila, the nearest intercropped coconut areas can be found in Batangas and Cavite. When tourists visit them, as they often do, they are rewarded physically – while the farm owners are rewarded financially.@517

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[1]https://www.fareasternagriculture.com/crops/agriculture/the-philippines-money-making-tree

[2]https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/367254544602732994/

[3]https://pca.gov.ph/

[4]https://ati.da.gov.ph/ati-main/news/08052020-1529/national-coconut-month-strengthens-commodity-promotion-new-normal

[5]https://pca.gov.ph/index.php/2-uncategorised/312-2020-national-coconut-month-opening

[6]https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/25/coconut-farmers-are-poorest-agri-people/

[7]https://amagazinecalledlove.blogspot.com/2010/01/frank-hilario-focus-on-small-farmer.html