Hatchgrove Farm
Hatchgrove owns a coconut farm located in Albay, a province in the central Philippines. Situated along the foothills of the famous Mayon Volcano, dubbed as the world’s perfect volcanic cone, the soils of Albay are known to be rich and fertile. The farm, which is approximately over 160 hectares, has been organically certified by USDA, Japan, and the European Union through a community grower group.
Since the 1950s, the original owners of the coconut farm have been involved in coconut farming and have produced traditional copra. For over five decades, they have collaborated and worked closely with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the government agency responsible for developing the coconut industry to its full potential, to implement programs and initiatives including:
Intercropping: Grow short-season and high-value crops (pineapple, cacao, papaya, citrus, tomatoes, cassava, moringa, ipil-ipil, taro, banana, and other value-added crops) in-between spaces of coconut trees).
Rehabilitation through natural fertilization: Fertilize fruit-bearing coconut trees using common salt or sodium chloride (NaCl) to increase coconut productivity and improve coco resistance to pests and diseases;
Coconut seedfarm maintenance: Continuously maintain seed gardens in support of the long-term coconut planting/replanting program of PCA. The Hatchgrove farm was cited as a heritage farm and successfully passed the field performance evaluation conducted under a project titled, “Identification, Conservation, and Utilization of Local Coconut Seed Sources for Replanting”
Coconut Replanting and Planting Program: Participated in the replanting and coconut planting program of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). Planted, harvested are replanted hectares through open pollinated varieties in identified idle and open areas suitable for coconut planting
Copra production and processing: The family of the founders of Hatchgrove has been in the industry of producing traditional copra and has been involved in the coconut industry for over 50 years. They have collaborated and worked closely with Philippine Coconut Authority to implement major programs and initiatives.
Development of a range of novelty items: Decorative accessories, and handicrafts using coconut coir, which were showcased in prestigious exhibitions like Manila F.A.M.E. International Show of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions.