SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE IN COCONUT FARMING: THE CASE OF THE NATIONAL COCONUT PLANTING/REPLANTING PROGRAM

Abstract

The beneficiaries of the National Coconut Planting/Replanting Program (NCP/RP) had been recipients of the program for 5 to 6 years. Their average project farm size was 1.05 hectares mostly located on flat terrain about 3 kilometers from the recipients' residence. Majority of these farms were still unproductive at the time of the interview. However, those with productive farms were able to harvest an average of 172 kilograms per hectare of copra in 1986. Technical support services were sought from the technicians of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Staking and layouting were found to have an average adoption score of 96 percent. With only 20 percent of the farms productive, the beneficiaries generally assessed the project as unable to help them improve their living conditions. The project even became an added burden, particularly to the tenants, because of the capital inputs required to maintain the farm.