Apl.De.Ap kicks off 100 million coconut trees project in Laguna

Apl.De.Ap has started his project of planting 100 million coconut trees on Tuesday in Liliw, Laguna.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “State of the Nation” on Tuesday, the Black Eyed Peas member learned about farming from his grandfather while growing up in Pampanga.

“Before I moved to the US, I used to help my grandfather in tending to a lot of buffalos. And also, plant crops from sweet potato, to corn, to kamoteng kahoy,” Apl.De.Ap said.

During the pandemic, Apl.De.Ap met someone who told him about the negative effects of soil degradation, or the change or decline in soil quality. This was where Apl.De.Ap got the idea to use coconut or niyog to help the quality of the soil.

“Then we ran into this thing called biochar. Biochar is an organic soil made from the pyrolysis of biowaste. And you know, coconut has the best carbon to create biochar,” he said.

This is also a way to introduce the products of coconut farmers to the world.

Laguna is the pilot site of Apl.De.Ap's project, but he is currently working with the government to expand his goals and purpose.

“Beginning of next year, I’m hoping to start the whole project, working with coops and LGUs and farmers,” Apl.De.Ap said. “We gotta figure it out, that’s why we’re doing the pilot here so that it’s easier.”

Apl.De.Ap. earlier wrote about his project on GMA News Online, revealing his plans to plant 100 million coconut trees across the country.

He followed it up with another essay on food security, soil health, and the importance of farming to the Filipinos. 

Apl. De. Ap. Has also met with Senators Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan at the Senate to discuss his project involving coconut farmers. —Nika Roque/JCB/CDC, GMA Integrated News