Four coconut research projects were launched to ensure sustainable production of quality coconut hybrids, improve hybridization processing facilities, and capacitate coconut farmers.
The implementation of the projects is led by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and funded under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan’s Coconut Hybridization Program research component.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST PCAARRD) monitors the projects.
The program, “Identification of Promising Philippine Coconut Populations for Hybrid Production Using Next Generation Tools and Technologies,” with two component projects, will be implemented by a team led by Mary Ann M. Abustan of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) UPLB.
The first project seeks to identify elite coconut populations based on their agronomic characteristics and molecular identities. Meanwhile, the second project will explore the proteomic profile of local coconut varieties toward the discovery of proteins and peptides.
Abustan said the result of the projects will help develop hybrids with improved qualities and potential yield and increase Philippine coconuts’ value in various product applications.
Meanwhile, the project, “Improvement of Coconut R&D Laboratory for Hybrid Production,” led by Speedy D. Crisostomo of IPB CAFS, targets to address the need for an efficient pollen processing facility to strengthen the hybridization activities in Luzon.
UPLB will also implement the project, “Building Capabilities in Designing Climate Resilient and Regenerative-Coconut-Based Farming Systems: A Training of Trainers Series in Support of Coconut Hybridization Program,” through the leadership of Edna A. Aguilar of the Institute of Crop Science CAFS.
She said the project will engage and capacitate trainers from local government units, the Philippine Coconut Authority, other state universities and colleges, and farmer organizations from disaster-prone areas on mitigating climate risks and improving their coconut management practices.
Crops Research Division Director Leilani D. Pelegrina said that the projects are a testament to the long history of the R&D partnership between DOST PCAARRD and UPLB.
She encouraged the institutes to sustain their coconut research teams and strengthen collaboration with other institutions in uplifting the coconut industry.