INCENTIVE. A coconut farmer in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte receives a check incentive from PCA on June 16, 2026. The PCA is offering incentives to farmers actively involved in the government’s massive coconut-planting program. (Photo courtesy of PCA North Luzon)
LAOAG CITY – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is expanding its incentive programs for coconut farmers as part of efforts to increase productivity, encourage replanting and strengthen the country’s coconut industry.
In Pagudpud town, the Municipal Agriculture Office on Thursday confirmed that eligible coconut farmers from Barangays Saguigui, Saud, Dampig and Caunayan received check incentives amounting to more than PHP300,000.
Under the PCA’s Coconut Hybridization Program, farmers receive cash incentives for cultivating and planting coconut seedlings.
The agency offers incentives for each seed nut raised in nurseries and for each seedling successfully planted, helping farmers offset production costs and support the rehabilitation of aging coconut plantations.
“The incentive aims to inspire more farmers to plant coconut and take part in the participatory coconut planting program,” the PCA said in a statement Thursday.
Participating farmers receive financial assistance to plant and nurture high-quality coconut seedlings and undergo training in good agricultural practices, pest management, fertilization and intercropping.
In an interview on Thursday, Pagudpud Mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito thanked the PCA for helping to revitalize the town’s coconut industry.
“We are thankful for the grant of incentives to our farmers. This encourages greater participation and contributes to the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of our agro industry,” he said.
He mentioned that the PCA earlier granted 50,000 coconut seedlings to Pagudpud town, and these seedlings are now being grown under the municipality’s Integrated Social Forestry program, along with other private partners.
Continuous training with farmers is also being conducted by the PCA to increase coconut production and modernize the industry through technology and livelihood support. (PNA)