Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – To strengthen the cacao-coffee industry in the province, the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X) conducted a Training on Cacao-Coffee Nursery Establishment, Management, and Accreditation on conducted by the on April 8-10, 2026 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex.
The training aims to equip farmers with technical knowledge in nursery establishment and management. It emphasizes standardized propagation techniques and the production of certified, high-quality cacao and coffee seedlings in alignment with national agricultural standards.
A total of 32 farmers and association members from Bukidnon , along with two agriculture technicians from Oro Integrated Cooperative (OIC) completed the three- day training.
Mr Laurence C. Olana, one of the participants, expressed his sincere appreciation for the training.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to ATI-RTC X for this golden opportunity. This was not just an ordinary training, it truly served as an eye-opener for us. The speakers were highly competent and effective in delivering the sessions.Please continue this kind of initiative,” Olana said.
ATI-RTC X Training Specialist II and High Value Crops Focal Person, Moisa Niña C. Paglinawan, discussed the introduction to nursery establishment and the importance of nurseries in agriculture. While, Jonalyn A. Pabuay, Production Head and Agriculturist from the Bureau of Plant Industry – Davao National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center, discussed on the principles of nursery establishment, including site selection and design, nursery infrastructure and equipment, seedling propagation and management, seed selection and seedling production techniques, plant propagation techniques, soil media preparation and management, and pest and disease management in nurseries.
Meanwhile, Senior Agriculturist Rhea Connie C. Villas of the Bureau of Plant Industry – National Seed Quality Control Services Region 10 discussed nursery accreditation policies and guidelines. Agriculturist II Manilyn Z. Ofiana tackled plant nursery accreditation and plant material certification. Senior Agriculturist Ricardo S. Regis, Jr. of the Bureau of Plant Industry – Plant Quarantine Services Region 10 shared insights on the domestic movement of plants and plant products, while Agricultural Technician II Shara Jane Q. Akiatan elaborated further on the topic.
To reinforce the discussions, the participants underwent a field visit to Bukidnon Integrated Coffee Center (BICC). BICC is a specialized coffee production facility and training center operated in partnership with Nestlé Philippines, located within the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (DA-NMACLRC).
To establish itself as the 'Arabica Capital of the Philippines,' Bukidnon has institutionalized its 10-Year Coffee Roadmap (2025–2035). This strategic plan aims to expand plantations to 10,000 hectares, leveraging Arabica coffee as both a premium export and a tool for upland reforestation and climate resilience.###
