Geared towards guaranteeing the production and ensuring sustainability of quality hybrids for the production of selected high-value products including coconut sugar, virgin coconut oil (VCO), and buko, the project titled Performance Evaluation of the 2-Pronged Coconut Hybridization Scheme in CALABARZON is being implemented by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – Region IV. The project is one of the front-runners in producing quality planting materials and improving coconut productivity from 45 nuts to 150 nuts/tree/year. The team was already able to produce and distribute approximately 3,000 hybrids of PCA 15-10 hybrid or the Tacunan Dwarf x Laguna Tall (TACDxLAGT) hybrids in Catanauan, Gumaca, General Luna and Candelaria Quezon, among many others. It was observed that the produced hybrid nuts are significantly robust, have thicker girth and have good vegetative growth. Moreover, the research team also capacitated extension workers and farmers with the hybridization technology, good agricultural practices, pest management and farm maintenance.
