Courtesy: Department of Mental Health
Liliw, Laguna – Black Eyed Peas member Apl.De.Ap officially launched his ambitious project to plant 100 million coconut trees across the Philippines on Tuesday in Liliw, Laguna.
The project aims to combat soil degradation and improve the livelihoods of coconut farmers.
Apl.De.Ap, who learned about farming from his grandfather in Pampanga, was inspired to use coconut trees to help improve soil quality after learning about the negative effects of soil degradation during the pandemic.
He discovered that coconut has the best carbon content for creating biochar, an organic soil made from the paralysis of biowaste.
“Then we ran into this thing called biochar. Biochar is an organic soil made from the paralysis of biowaste. And you know, coconut has the best carbon to create biochar,” he said.
Laguna is the pilot site for the project, but Apl.De.Ap is working with the government to expand his goals and purpose nationwide.
The project also aims to introduce the products of coconut farmers to the global market. Apl.De.Ap has met with Senators Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan to discuss his project and collaborate with coconut farmers.
