The Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 (Davao) is encouraging farmers to intercrop high-value crops such as coffee, cacao, and coconut to boost income and promote sustainable agriculture.

Speaking at the conclusion of the two-day Mindanao-wide Coconut Farmer Cooperative Summit at the SMX Convention Center on Tuesday, DA-11 Regional Director Macario Gonzaga highlighted the importance of the National Program on Intercropping Cacao and Coffee as a key element of the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

“The primary objectives of this program are to support smallholder coconut farmers and their families to gain sustainable employment and income through intercropping with coffee and cacao and to maximize the utilization of coconut lands for increased productivity,” Gonzaga said.

The CFIDP aims to modernize and industrialize the coconut sector, improving the livelihoods of coconut farmers through programs like the Coconut-Based Coffee and/or Cacao Enterprise Development Project (C3EDP).

C3EDP focuses on integrating coffee and cacao cultivation with coconut farming to improve farm productivity and provide multiple income sources for farmers.

“It promotes sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring the long-term viability of coconut farming,” Gonzaga said.

Under the program, the DA, through the High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), plans to rehabilitate or rejuvenate 2 million coffee trees and 3 million cacao trees currently intercropped with coconuts.

The program also targets expanding intercropping across 5,000 hectares (ha) of coffee and 7,300 ha of cacao in HVCDP priority areas.

Additionally, 223 nurseries will be established to produce 10,000 seedlings annually, bolstering the supply of coffee and cacao plants.

The summit also featured exhibits of coconut, coffee, and cacao by-products created by cooperatives across Mindanao, showcasing the potential for value-added production.

Participants included coconut farmer cooperatives, CFIDP implementing agencies, Cooperative Development Authority officials, local government representatives, and local and international partners. (PNA)