3.6-Million Hectares! Idle Coconut Farms Eyed In Alfalfa Hay Production

As part of my personal advocacy for Food Security in the country through the development of the Large and Small Ruminants Sector, I have launched an expanded trials on Alfalfa farming in North Cotabato.
The adaptability of this overlooked but very critical feed material for Large and Small Ruminants, especially Horses and Dairy Cows and Buffalos, was established following a small field trial that was conducted in late 2022 in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
With the help of my American friends from Texas who sent me a 20-kilo bag of Alfalfa seeds, the bigger field trials were launched last week by planting this highly leguminous plant in between or under coconuts.
This experiment is very important not only because of the great potentials of Alfalfa in boosting the development of our Large and Small Ruminants Industry, including Dairy Production but also because of the huge economic impact that would result from the utilization of hundreds of thousands of hectares planted mainly to Coconut.
As of 2022, the data showed that an estimated 3.6-million hectares were planted with Coconut under a mono-cropping system leaving wide areas underneath unproductive.
In the U.S., Alfalfa farmers harvest as much as 6-metric tons per hectare per harvest which is done two months after planting and every two months thereafter for up to 6 years.
At $150 per metric ton of Alfalfa Hay, American farmers earn as much as $900 per harvest which makes Alfalfa a very profitable agricultural activity.
Assuming that the productivity under Philippine conditions would be affected by the lack of access to sunlight because it is underneath Coconuts, farmers would still benefit from the additional income and the rejuvenation of the soil because of the nitrogen-fixing nature of Alfalfa.
Alfalfa, (Medicago sativa), a perennial, cloverlike, leguminous plant of the pea family (Fabaceae),”is known for its tolerance of drought, heat, and cold and for the remarkable productivity and quality of its herbage. The plant is also valued in soil improvement and is grown as a cover crop and as a green manure,” according to information shared by research groups.
Fed to Ruminants and horse, Alfalfa resulted in “Increased weight gain, improved reproduction performance and better bone structure” of the animals and “also a terrific source of protein and energy.”
The expanded trials area initially covers about 1/4 hectare in my farm where I planted “Buko Pandan” now about 4 years old.
Since I still have seeds good for another 3/4 hectare, I will be partnering with farmers who have full-grown and tall Coconuts for another experimental area.
A successful trial under the Coconuts would mean hundreds of thousands of hectares which could be planted to Alfalfa nationwide, billions in additional income for farmers and a vibrant Large and Small Ruminants and Dairy Industry.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!