Td
trunk or stem attains a considerable heignt,
more depending upon variety,
“2*
meee bee
vt
20 meters
age and environment.
With
tall coconuts, the base is markedly swollen, whose
Giameter may reach 1 meter but rarely exceeds 30 to 40 ens
at man's height.
The crown has some 30 opened leaves
supporting fruit bunches at different stages.
arts.
The coconut industry is characterized by low productivity.
This is due largely to poor quality planting materials,
aging palms,
requirements.
and the lack of the necessary cultural
The growing number of old unproductive trees
requires the launching of a massive replanting program
utilizing high yielding precocious hybrids.
enone
(
The Replanting Proaram
The coconut replanting program of the Philippines is a
massive undertaking to replace unproductive trees with
hybrids.
It will cover the whole coconut area ata pace of
69,000 hectares a year.
At this rate,
it will take about
40 years to complete the cycle, thus making the replanting
program a perpetual]
activity.
At the end of the cycle the
earliest replants may then be ready for replanting.
It is
erent
expected that much improved hybrids shall be developed as we
progress in the implementation of this replanting program.
Aside from the use of highly productive hybrids,
the
replanting program will involve the adoption of the requized
cultural practices and inputs.
The mechanics and the
criteria in determining priority areas will be set up,
to
be supplemented with the experiences to be gained in the
pilot replanting project being undertaken.
The replanting
%
gradually increasing to 60,000 hectares annuallybeginning
1935.
Land preparation which include clear cutting of old
he
sO named MR LeneERD ph reege
proper commences in 1980, with 1,700 hectares to be replanted,