LEYTE FARMERS' PERCEPTION OF AND EXPECTATION FROM THE NATIONAL COCONUT PLANTING/REPLANTING PROGRAM

Abstract

Three hundred coconut farmers in 5 municipalities of Leyte, Philippines were interviewed to find out their perceptions of and expectations from the National Coconut Planting/Replanting Program (NCP/RP). The overall perception of the respondents towards the NCP/RP was low specifically on its implementing policies. Thirty-five percent of the farmers agreed to have their coconut lands replanted and one-half of this number wanted to be among the first recipients of the program. Almost 50% of the farmers anticipated that the program would have a low chance of success in accomplishing its objectives. This low expectation was attributed to (1) inadequate supply of high-yielding coconut varieties; (2) inadequate price support for copra; (3) lack of readiness on the part of coconut farmers to adopt the program; and (4) the high risk associated with the adoption of the high-yielding coconut varieties. Among the respondents' suggestions to carry out effectively the NCP/RP were: disseminate more information about the program, strengthen the program's management and technical delivery services, and implement the corresponding price increase for copra when replanting begins.