Script

FADE IN THEME MUSIC AND CONTINUE SOFTLY UNDER DIALOGUE.

ANNOUNCER:
Today’s program will interest farmers who grow and harvest coconuts.

If this is you, take your radio out under the shade of a tree, listen carefully, and watch for falling coconuts!

SOUND OF FALLING COCONUT.

FADE OUT THEME MUSIC.

Did you know that it is possible to grow vegetables and coconuts together in the same space?

You can harvest two or three crops instead of just one – on the same amount of land!

So you make more money.

Growing more then one crop gives you a more stable income.

There is less risk of total crop failure.

What crops can you grow with coconut trees?

Squash, eggplant and ginger!

These are some of the crops that some farmers in the Philippines grow between coconut trees.

Of course you can try some others and see for yourself which crops succeed.

When farmers grow these crops between rows of coconut trees – squash, ginger, and eggplant – they are able to sell them for extra cash.

And they still have good coconut yields.

MUSICAL BREAK.

If you want to try growing vegetables with coconuts, take note of the following two recommendations from farmers in the Philippines who studied this system.

Here they are.

One. This system works best when coconut trees are spaced one and a half metres apart.

In other words, you should be able to take about five steps between the trees.

This way there is enough room for the vegetable crops.

Two. When you dig the planting holes for the vegetables or root crops, place a shovel full of well-aged manure or compost in each hole.

Now – are you ready to try growing vegetables with coconut trees?

It works for farmers in the Philippines.

It may work for you!!

Acknowledgements

Contributed by: Adelina Carreno, Radio Producer, Philippines. Reviewed by: Dr. Chin Ong, Plant Physiologist, International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), Kenya.

Information sources

S & T Media Service, Manila, Philippines.