The ATI- Regional Training Center 1 conducted the Training of Trainers (ToT) on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Coconut on March 27-31, 2023 at ATI-RTC 1, Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan as the second leg of regional roll-out of trainings under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). Similar to all regional ToTs under the CFIDP, this training aims to capacitate the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and Farmer Leaders (FLs) in the implementation of farmer-level trainings.
A total of 26 AEWs and FLs graduated in the five-day training and completed the 9 modules of GAP coconut to include Coconut Industry Situationer; Overview of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP); Physiology, Morphology, and Growth of Coconut; Stage, Plantation Management; Coconut Pests and Diseases Management; Farm Diversification; Harvesting and Post-harvest Handling; Economics of Coconut; and Good Agricultural Practices Certification Process and its Elements.
Lecture-discussion, open forum, demonstration and return demonstrations were the approaches employed by the resource persons from the Philippine Coconut Authority namely, Dr. Chricept Viloria, Engr. Bonlizardo Cabrera and Mr. Ken Guiller Vicente and from the DA-Regional Field Office 1, Mr. David John Rondal and Mr. Arnel Felipe. The knowledge learned from the lecture was reinforced through practicum on selection of quality seeds and seedlings; farm lay-outing, fertilization and planting at the breeding area of Pangasinan Research and Experimental Center in Sta. Barbara.
A GAP mock inspection in three (3) coconut farms in Bolinao, Pangasinan where the participants acted as inspectors was considered as among the highlights of the ToT. The coconut farms’ level of compliance to GAP based on the Philippine National Standard was assessed by the participants using a checklist. Recommendations presented and discussed with the farm owners based on the inspection findings during the exit meeting.
The 26 participants are now included in the pool of experts of GAP coconut who will be conducting farmer-level trainings on GAP coconut in July 2023.
