ILOILO – From a quiet secondary crop, coconut is now being positioned as Iloilo’s next big agricultural bet. The provincial government announced its plan to expand plantations to 10,000 hectares within three years, aiming to turn coconuts into a major livelihood source for farmers.
Geron Magbanua, chief of the Crops Division of the Provincial Agriculture Office, said the move is designed to transform the province’s coconut sector into a sustainable industry that can compete with traditional crops.
A key step, Magbanua explained, is to lessen dependence on seednuts from Mindanao and establish local nurseries and seed farms. This will not only secure Iloilo’s supply of quality planting materials but also protect against pests and diseases already reported in other regions.
“With the support of the Philippine Coconut Authority, we want Iloilo to have its own strong seed base. This will speed up expansion and give farmers better opportunities,” Magbanua said.
Currently, only eight percent of Iloilo’s farmland is planted with coconuts, but experts say up to half of the province’s agricultural area is suitable.
“If we maximize that land and link it with processing and markets, coconut can become not just a sideline but the main source of income for many farmers,” Magbanua emphasized.
Based on PCA records, Iloilo already has 38,240 hectares of coconut farms, 3.8 million palms, and more than 37,000 registered farmers, but officials see much more room to grow.
The drive was highlighted during the first Iloilo Provincial Coconut Week, which opened Tuesday, August 26, at the capitol. Coconut-based products—from fresh buko juice to processed goods—are being showcased at the Coconut Expo.
As part of the celebration, 100 seednuts of the Tacunan variety were planted in Barangay Nagbangi, Leon town, symbolizing the start of expansion.
Provincial officials also backed Vice Governor Lee Ann Dubuque’s call to serve buko juice and coconut products at government events, a move PCA-Western Visayas said should be institutionalized through an ordinance.
Beyond planting, the province is also promoting the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Fund, a national program that offers support for growers.
“We want our farmers to know about the benefits they can access from PCA programs,” Magbanua added.
For Iloilo, the coconut revival is more than just crop diversification—it is a bid to secure a new growth driver for agriculture and rural livelihoods.
“With the right strategy, coconut can become Iloilo’s flagship commodity,” Magbanua said.
