17/2/06 (Sun Star)  -  NORTH Cotabato's Office of the Provincial Agriculturist is pushing for oil palm production and utilization in idle lands of the province around Liguasan Marsh.

Genevieve A. Bangcaya. Agriculturist II of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and OPA point person for oil palm also said they plan to start the distribution of oil palm seedlings under the Provincial Government's Plant-Now-Pay-Later (PNPL) program starting this year.

"We encourage the planting of rubber in areas where they are suitable. But in swampy areas of the province around Liguasan Marsh, the best option is to plant oil palm," Bangcaya said.

She explained that oil palm is preferable in areas not more than 700 meters above sea level, adding that it could also be grown in limestone.

In his 8th annual State of the Province Address last Jan. 31, North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pinol expressed satisfaction over the excellent growth of oil palm in the Agumil nursery in Sikitan, Kidapawan and the Maunlad nursery at the Provincial Agro-Industrial Park in Pag-asa, Mlang.

The governor said this was an indication that oil palm will be productive in the province.

Oil palm is already being grown in about 500 hectares in Dungos, Tulunan. Some 700 hectares in Dungguan, Mlang and in Alamada have also been planted with the commodity.

The area planted to oil palm is expected to grow this year as the OPA is set to release the first batch of 1,000 seedlings to PNPL applicants. Each applicant will be given 135 seedlings per hectare that could possibly earn around P12, 000 once harvested.

Bangcaya added that the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist is ready to provide training on oil palm production in the municipalities and barangays.

Requests could be channeled through the municipal agriculturists.

A training program has been set for these municipal agriculturists on Feb. 14-16 at Barangay Pag-asa, Mlang. (BOT)