MANILA, Philippines -- The vast potential of African oil palm as a profitable crop is highlighted in the November issue of Agriculture Magazine published by the Manila Bulletin and edited by yours truly. The issue is now off the press and is available in bookstores and outlets of the Bulletin nationwide.

As per the latest survey of the Palmoil Industry Development Council, there are about a million hectares in Mindanao, Palawan and Bohol which are suitable for growing this oil crop.

There are a number of good reasons why more Filipino investors should take a good second look at growing oil palm. There is a big demand for palm oil so there should be no problem selling the processed oil. The Philippines has been importing a lot of palm oil. In 2010, for instance, we imported 205,000 metric tons worth US$225,500 equivalent to P6.68 billion. That’s equivalent to the production from 51,250 hectares.

Another reason is that oil palm produces much more oil per hectare than coconut. A hectare of palm oil can produce 2,500 to 4,500 kilos of oil compared to only 600 to 1,000 kilos for coconut. It means that one hectare of oil palm can produce the same amount as four hectares of coconut.

Another advantage of oil palm over coconut is that oil palm has a much shorter gestation period. The oil palm starts bearing fruits two years after planting in the field whereas one has to wait six to seven years in the case of the coconut. Harvesting from oil palm can be done as early as 30 months from planting.

Another advantage of oil palm is that it is not attractive to pilferers because unlike coconut and other fruits like mango, pummelo and durian, the oil palm fruits can not be eaten. It would be hard for the thief to sell the fruits because he has to sell them to an oil mill, which usually has to find out the source of the fruits.

More people going for sheep — The November issue also features why more people are getting into sheep production for their own good reasons. Just like Dr. Renato Songco of Guagua, Pampanga, who swears that sheep are much easier to take care than goats. He should know because he himself used to raise goats. Now, he is specializing in the Dorper breed which is fast-growing and is big-bodied.

Research on feed for milking goats — Rene Almeda of Alaminos Goat Farm writes about their “big dreams of commercializing technology in feeding dairy goats.” His farm is partnering with the Bureau of Animal Industry’s Research Division under OIC Remedios Acasio and Emily Victorio.

They will soon undertake a research project to be funded by a research grant of P2,012,000 from the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). Under the agreement, AGF will provide the dairy goats, its dairy facilities and resources to study the commercial possibility of feeding malunggay to the dairy goats to improve their milk yield. AGF will also focus on its farm-tested indigofera in its commercialization work.

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