The Philippine Coconut Authority is moving quickly to secure extra funds to keep its goal of planting 100 million coconuts by 2028 on track. This forms the core of the Accelerated Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, the government’s main strategy to rebuild one of the country’s most important agricultural sectors and boost earnings for millions of coconut farming households.
The initiative goes far beyond just giving out seedlings. It covers farm rehabilitation, proper fertilization, intercropping practices, financial support, research, improved processing and better market access to build a more productive and profitable coconut industry overall. The main hurdle at present is funding. For 2026 alone, the agency aims to plant 25.4 million seedlings, but available money is enough for only 16.85 million, leaving a gap of over 8.5 million seedlings that requires an additional P1.26 billion to meet the target timeline.
“This is more than a massive planting campaign. It is an investment in the future of our coconut farmers and the entire industry,” said PCA administrator and xhief executive officer Dexter Buted. “Every palm planted means higher incomes, stronger rural communities and a more competitive Philippine coconut sector.”
Work continues at full pace despite the budget shortfall. Some 8.6 million seedlings were planted in 2024, and millions more have been set out through shared planting projects, coconut breeding programs, partnerships with local governments and community-led efforts. Nurseries across the country are also growing more seedlings for the next planting period. The agency places high priority on ensuring every seedling survives and bears fruit, tracking survival rates, growth and long-term output as key measures of success, since new coconut palms take several years before they generate income.
To deliver more immediate benefits, the government is also investing heavily in fertilizing existing coconut trees. As of March, over 9.17 million palms had been given fertilizer, helping more than 78,000 farmers raise their harvest while waiting for newly planted palms to mature. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that reviving the coconut industry needs long-term funding but will bring lasting rewards. “This is about giving coconut farmers a better future. Higher productivity means higher incomes, while a stronger coconut industry supports jobs, exports and food security. Every peso invested today helps build a more resilient agricultural economy for tomorrow,” he explained.
If fully funded, the program will renew millions of aging coconut palms, reinforce the Philippines’ standing as one of the world’s top coconut producers, and provide a steady source of livelihood for farming communities for generations.
